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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Nursing in Gerontological Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110900  Master of Nursing in Gerontological Nursing 
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
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered-data under construction" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2021-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2022-06-30   2025-06-30  

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 completion of a Master of Nursing in Gerontology will enhance the nature of care delivered to an ageing population. The achieving learners of this qualification will have been equipped with advanced and specialised skills and knowledge in this field of nursing to impact on policies and nursing care frameworks. Further to this, the strong emphasis of research-based curriculum within geriatric nursing will facilitate learners in evidence-based nursing care.

Rationale:
This qualification will provide a career path for Professional Nurses who would like to specialise within the field of geriatric nursing (Gerontology). Learners learning towards this qualification will become advanced nurse practitioners within the area of geriatric nursing. South Africa like the rest of the world has an increasing older population. It is imperative that advanced nurse practitioners are equipped to provide specialised health care that helps older patients maintain functional independence and that promotes quality of life among the ageing population. This qualification will produce advanced nurse specialists equipped with the theoretical and practical dimensions of providing such care and further to this, this qualification will also facilitate learners in becoming leaders in research within geriatric nursing care to change the landscape of care. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning will be used to grant admission to the qualification to the following learners who do not met the minimum entry requirements:
  • Learners who have a minimum of 5-years' work experience in a research unit or as a nurse researcher,
  • Learners with a 3-year qualification in General Nursing or a Bachelor of Technology in Nursing.

    Entry Requirements.
    The admission requirement is:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Level 8.
  • A relevant Bachelors Honours Degree in Nursing, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework, Level 9, totalling 192 Credits:
  • Assessment of the Geriatric Client, 16 Credits.
  • Theoretical Basis for Gerontological Nursing, 16 Credits.
  • The Care of Aging Clients, 16 Credits.
  • Family Therapy, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Practice: Nurse Role, 16 Credits.
  • Nursing Research and Nursing Research Methods, 16 Credits.
  • Nursing Research Project, 96 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply a critical and evaluative approach to analysing complex issues in the chosen field of research, within the discipline of Nursing, when identifying and conceptualising a research area.
    2. Demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic grasp of the specialist body of theoretical knowledge and its application in the critique of current research or practices in a selected field of study.
    3. Utilise a wide range of specialised skills in designing and implementing an original research project that addresses complex issues in the chosen field of study.
    4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies applicable to the selected area of study.
    5. Undertake independent research in the field of health sciences and generate a thesis which reflects independent thinking, originality, critical analysis.
    6. Defend research findings and advanced insight into the chosen field of Nursing.
    7. Present research findings to a range of audiences using appropriate media or means to disseminate findings.
    8. Identify and manage the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline of Nursing. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Function at a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence within the field of Gerontology Nursing.
  • Critically reflect on in the implementation and evaluation of national and local health care plans and policies in Gerontology Nursing.
  • Implement reflexive practice in relation to implementation of best practice bench marks based on independent review, critique and synthesis of research outputs leading to improved health care outcomes for individuals and communities in Gerontology Nursing.
  • Disseminate contextually relevant information not only within academic forums but also within various health care forums that represent key stakeholder within specific communities.

    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 in using various research methodologies and approaches to assess a research phenomenon related to nursing or health care problems; interventions and practices.

    Experiential Learning through engagement within community settings to facilitate engagement and development of community involvement, and develop communication skills to facilitate the dissemination of information within these settings. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Health Sciences in Nursing, Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing, Level 9.

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

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.