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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Nursing in Community Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110896  Master of Nursing in Community Health 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The qualification is an academic and vocational programme, which aims to equip learners with specialised skills and knowledge in the field of nursing practice, health service administration or nursing education. It also prepares learners to be multi-sectoral leaders, programme managers, consultants, change agents and researchers.

Rationale:
This qualification is designed to enable clinical nurse specialists in Community Health Nursing to provide advanced nursing care to individual and groups in communities with special reference to the variables in the community settings. Moreover, the qualification will lead to producing achieving learners who can reflect critically on theory and its application and be able to deal with complex community health issues systematically and creatively in order to improve health care outcomes for the community. Learners completing this qualification are able to function with advanced practical competencies within community health nursing resulting in the ability to function as leaders, consultants, and specialist practitioners in providing evidence-based care. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Prior learning will be recognised in the form of appropriate professional qualifications in health sciences, practical experience, or other recognised university qualifications
The following learners who have a minimum of 5-years' work experience in a research unit or as a nurse researcher and who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be admitted through RPL:
  • Learners with a 3-year Degree in General Nursing, Level 6.
    Or
  • Learners with a Bachelor of Technology in Nursing, Level 7.

    A portfolio providing documentary evidence in support of the specific RPL application must be provided.

    Entry Requirements.
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Nursing, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Honours, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma specialising in Community Health, Primary Health Care, Occupational Health Nursing or Public Health, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 176 Credits:
  • Community Health Nursing, 16 Credits.
  • Evaluation of Health Care Systems, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Community Health Promotion, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Practice: Nurse Role, 16 Credits.
  • Nursing Research and Nursing Research Methods, 16 Credits.
  • Nursing Research Project, 96 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 16 Credits (Choose one):
  • Comparative Health Systems, 16 Credits.
  • Health Systems and Policy, 16 Credits.
  • Health Measurement (Descriptive), 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Function at a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.
    2. Demonstrate critical reflection in the implementation and evaluation of national and local health care plans and policies.
    3. Implement reflective practice in relation to implementation of best practice benchmarks based on independent review, critique and synthesis of research outputs leading to improved community health for individuals, groups and communities.
    4. Relate knowledge to the resolution of complex community health problems.
    5. Contextualise health systems and processes based on an understanding of historical and current trends.
    6. Critique, synthesise and implement specialised community health care interventions based on sound judgment using prevalence and incidence indicators related to specific community health needs.
    7. Disseminate contextually relevant information not only within academic forums but also within community health care forums that represent key stakeholder within specific communities.
    8. Conduct independent review, critique and implementation of evidence based practice. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes applied in an integrated manner:
  • Function at a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.
  • Critically reflect on the implementation and evaluation of national and local health care plans and policies.
  • Implement reflective practice in relation to implementation of best practice benchmarks based on independent review, critique and synthesis of research outputs leading to improved community health for individuals, groups and communities.
  • Relate knowledge to the resolution of complex community health problems.
  • Contextualise health systems and processes based on an understanding of historical and current trends.
  • Critique, synthesise and implement specialised community health care interventions based on sound judgment using prevalence and incidence indicators related to specific community health needs.
  • Disseminate contextually relevant information not only within academic forums but also within community health care forums that represent key stakeholder within specific communities.
  • Conduct independent review, critique and implementation of evidence based practice.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Cases Studies/Assignments and Seminars provide the opportunity for formative integrative assessment of knowledge, skills (cognitive and interpersonal) and attitudes.

    Summative Assessment in each module includes assessment of learners' ability to critique current knowledge from international; national and local sources. In addition, summative assessments assess the learners' ability to use reflective practice and problem solving skills to plan; implement and evaluate community health interventions aimed at improving health care outcomes.

    The research project is a practical real life integrated assessment of the learners' application and integration of knowledge from this programme. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal articulation:
  • Master of Nursing, Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing in Gerontological Nursing, Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing in Nursing Research, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Nursing, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.