SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Nursing

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111353	Bachelor of Nursing
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Curative Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	480	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-09-09	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2034-06-30

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.

This qualification replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
14368	Bachelor of Nursing	Level 7	NQF Level 08	480	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
According to the Nursing Act No. 33 of 2005, a professional nurse is a person who is qualified and competent to independently practice comprehensive nursing and midwifery in the manner and to the level prescribed and who is capable of assuming responsibility and accountability for such practice.

More specifically, the qualification aims to prepare learners to practice safely and provide quality care according to the Scope of Practice for a Professional Nurse and Midwife as follows:

Assume full responsibility and accountability for:
> The provision of comprehensive nursing treatment and care of persons in all healthcare settings throughout the lifespan of a person.
> The management of nursing care of individuals, groups and communities and providing emergency care.
> Ensuring the safe implementation of nursing care.
> The care of persons with health conditions in all settings.
> The delegation of nursing care, ensuring that nursing care is only delegated to competent practitioners or persons.

Practice ethically and professionally by:
> Providing comprehensive nursing care and management for the nursing treatment and rehabilitation for all health problems of individuals, groups and communities as an independent practitioner in all clinical areas.
> Participating in and developing a programme to ensure the quality of nursing practice.

Rationale:
The South African Nursing Council has changed the requirements for qualifications leading to registration as a Professional Nurse effective as from 2018. The regulations now require learners to follow a 4-year Bachelor's qualification in General Nursing and Midwifery only - the previous components of Psychiatric Nursing and Community Nursing will no longer be included. The qualification also seeks to prepare the nurses to function independently in the district health services and requires them to be competent to work in clinics, community health centres, and all levels of hospitals within the system.

With the promulgation of the Regulations leading to the Registration in the Categories Professional Nurse and Midwife, all professional nurses will have to obtain a Degree. This means that, currently, the Nursing Colleges are not in a position to train this category of nurses. Fifty percent (50%) of all newly qualified professional nurses are currently qualifying as Enrolled Nurses with a two-year qualification and can be registered as General Nurses. This means that only half of the newly qualified professional nurses have a midwifery qualification. Forty-six percent (46%) of all learners are training in the private sector. It also means that the private sector will, effectively, not be able to train professional nurses except for those who have registered as Higher Education Institutions. Even then it is understood that there are too many constraints for them to educate the professional nurse y and will therefore also rely on the Universities for their newly qualified graduates.

This puts the onus on existing Universities offering Nursing qualifications to markedly increase the number of learners it educates and to do so in such a way that the qualification is accessible to both school leavers with the capacity to pass the qualification and also nurses currently qualified in General Nursing who do not have a Degree or a midwifery qualification.

The Department is cognisant of the need for its learners to be able to function in the Re-Engineered District Health Care system which requires them not only to be able to provide a nursing service in hospitals of all levels including a clinical and unit management function, but also in the Community Health Centres where they will offer Primary Health Care including early diagnosis and treatment and lead the health care team in the Community Health Centre.

The Nursing Department sees this as an opportunity to address other issues which have plagued the nursing education for many years. This includes the previous heavy emphasis on content and the compartmentalisation of the curriculum into modules which did not encourage critical thinking and application. Thus, it presents an opportunity to incorporate e-learning into the qualification and so bring nursing education at the university in line with the information age.

On successful completion of this qualification, the learner will be eligible to register with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Professional Nurse and a Midwife and be licensed to practice as a professional nurse and/or a registered midwife as defined in the Nursing Act No. 33 of 2005.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of prior learning will take into account the previous learning and the experience of the applicant by the Senate either for the purpose of admission, granting of exemption, or for full or partial credits to one or more units. The RPL policy recognises both accredited prior learning and experiential prior learning.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies with an appropriate combination of subjects and levels of achievement.
Or

Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, with endorsement, with an appropriate combination of subjects and levels of achievement.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6 7 and 8 totalling 508 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5, 124 Credits:

Introduction to medical science, 18 Credits.

Anatomy for Nursing learners, 24 Credits.

Integrated General Nursing Sciences I, 64 Credits.

Human behavioural science, 18 Credits.

First Aid, 0 Credit.

Computer literacy, 0 Credit.

Compulsory Modules at Level 6, 132 Credits:

Physiology and Medical Biochemistry, 48 Credits.

Microbiology, 24 Credits.

Integrated General Nursing Sciences II, 60 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 7, 132 Credits:

Pharmacology, 24 Credits.

Integrated General Nursing Sciences III, 48 Credits.

Midwifery I, 60 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 8, 120 Credits:

Midwifery II, 60 Credits.

Integrated General Nursing Sciences IV, 60 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply knowledge of biological and natural sciences, psycho-social sciences and pharmacology in the provision of safe nursing and midwifery care, throughout the life span, in a variety of health care settings and communities in response to population needs.
2. Identify and address ethical and legal issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value (and legal) systems to the nursing and midwifery practice within the legal framework.
3. Manage a health care unit and health facility based on the understanding of the roles and relationships within the multidisciplinary team.
4. Access, produce and manage information effectively to a range of audiences, including health information systems.
5. Conduct research in investigating nursing and health-related problems in order to improve quality of care.
6. Apply learning strategies effectively to address own and other's professional and personal ongoing learning needs in a self-critical manner.
7. Apply knowledge of theories, methods and techniques in the practice safe clinical nursing that is responsive to the needs of the individual, the family and the community, in accordance with national legislative and policy frameworks at all levels of health care.
8. Provide safe and quality midwifery and neonatal care in a scientific, integrated and evidence based approach in all health care settings.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Apply knowledge of psychology and sociology in nursing and midwifery practice in ways which benefit the level and quality of health care delivery to patients.

Demonstrate knowledge of bio-natural sciences that meets requirements for professional health care, and promotes effective nursing and midwifery care delivery.

Provide assistance to the client and identify indicators of relapse or complications and ways of preventing such.

Use technology in the practice of nursing and midwifery in ways that facilitate the effective diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and conditions.

Initiate treatment to manage common conditions (including prescribing and dispensing medication) in accordance with relevant legislation and protocols.

Understand pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as standard treatment protocols/guidelines that are evident in prescribing and administering drugs to women peri-natally.

Apply pharmacological principles in the care and control of drugs used for neonates.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Advocate activities that promote individual, group and community rights with respect to law and health care provision.

Consistently apply practice in a manner that reflects a clear understanding and interpretation of the requirements of South Africa (SA) Nursing and Health Care legislation, including a Primary Health Care approach.

Consistently interpret and apply ethical codes, professional accountability and responsibility, and standards for the practice of nursing and midwifery in line with their spirit and intent.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Plan and provide for health care based on sound assessment, and informed decision making.

Include patient and other stakeholders in planning.

Develop unit philosophy, vision, mission, goals, policy and procedures for nursing and midwifery care provision and personnel management within a health care unit that comply with current legislation, South African Nursing Council (SANC) requirements and international best practice for the profession.

Establish systems for cost effective and efficient service delivery within a health care unit.

Directly manage and lead activities towards the establishment of a team approach to health care, and deliver effective services within a physically safe and emotionally supportive environment.

Manage pharmacological preparations and treatment in ways that ensure the correct storage of drugs and prepare correct administration of pharmacological treatment.

Apply management processes strategically and systematically to manage resources effectively within a health care unit.

Effectively implement and monitor quality management systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Organise, present and communicate professional information accurately and consistent with professional expectations.

Promote community involvement in health care through information sharing and contact, which promotes ongoing collaboration with the community or group.

Document assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation accurately and timeously, and promote effective service delivery as well as security and confidentiality of information.

Monitor standards set for unit health care delivery regularly, and gather information that identifies areas for improvement on an ongoing basis.

Communicate effectively using a variety of media and technology, including computers.

Use interpersonal skills effectively to establish supportive and therapeutic relationships.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Conduct research of limited scope that is based on identified needs and takes into consideration the steps of the research process, as per standard research text.

Conduct research that is based on ethically sound research principles and methods.

Develop strategies and/or programmes that are appropriate to the findings of comprehensive health assessments, and based on sound epidemiological principles.

Provide care that is based on scientific evidence.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Maintain emotional balance in own personal development and management, and promote effective and professional service delivery of self and for the health care of the unit as a whole.

Engage in professional development activities that contributes significantly to the professional growth of nurses in sphere of influence, and to the standing of the nursing profession.

Investigate research activities that develop own professional knowledge and expertise, and contribute to the development of nursing practice and the profession as a whole.

Direct learning activities towards positive health outcomes and use relevant teaching strategies.

Direct mentoring activities towards the development of others, according to their needs and their scope of practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Provide health care that is appropriate to the particular context and based on comprehensive health assessment.

Implement nursing care in an integrated manner, according to plans.

Identify changes in health care status of individuals, groups and/or communities in general in time to implement preventive or corrective measures in the interests of general wellbeing.

Diagnose and manage conditions accurately according to generally accepted treatment guidelines.

Base nursing interventions on individualised plans that reflect comprehensive and integrated assessment of mentally ill persons, and understand common emotional and behavioural disorders, as well as major psychiatric disorders (perceptual and severe mood disorders).

Ensure that interventions with mentally ill persons are consistent with generally accepted psycho-social techniques, and contribute to the therapeutic management of these patients.

Provide support provided to patients recovering from illness and prepare them for discharge in ways that enable the patient, family and significant others to cope with the management of the patient at home.

Deliver nursing care that provides the necessary physical and psychological care and support for long term and/or terminally ill patients, in line with the accepted scope of practice for nursing.

Ensure that interventions with patients contribute to identification and management of conditions like homeostasis, the comfort of patient and significant others, and the prevention and/or management of complications.

Demonstrate competent clinical skills at all times.

Make clinical decisions/judgements in accordance with principles of clinical governance.

Address identified problems by using strategies that are scientific, systematic and appropriate.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Prepare a woman and family for pregnancy, childbirth and family and take into consideration the woman's context/background and facilitate means of antenatal classes and appropriate health education.

Take obstetric history and conduct physical examination of the mother in a comprehensive manner, using a variety of available technology.

Accurately interpret and appropriately observe significant changes and laboratory results are accurately interpreted and appropriately referred where potential risk to mother and/or foetus exists.

Monitor the wellbeing of the foetus by monitoring foetal movement, heart rates and growth.

Comprehensively monitor and manage the mother during labour and delivery, and understand evidences of the physiology of labour, technology used to monitor the mother and wellbeing of the foetus.

Manage the newborn by demonstrating an understanding of changes taking place in a newborn baby.

Timeously identify and accurately manage and refer potential and actual emergencies of the mother and/or foetus.

Ensure that intra-labour care delivered to the mother and baby complies with generally accepted treatment guidelines, and manage potential and actual emergencies and promote the safety of both.

Integrate and provide care delivered post-natally for the long-term wellbeing of mother and child, in line with the accepted scope of practice for midwives.

Integrated Assessment:
In accordance with the requirement of the South African Nursing Council as set out in the Regulations relating to the Approval of and the Minimum Requirements for the Education and Training of a Learner leading to Registration in the Categories Professional Nurse and Midwife (R174), learners will be assessed for competency in all the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Assessment will be conducted by registered assessors and will be guided by the assessment criteria.

A minimum of 60% of formative clinical assessment activities will be done in real life situations.

Continuous assessment will be conducted throughout the period of study and evidence of this will be kept. At least 10% of these assessments will be moderated by a second assessor.

Summative assessment will be conducted at the end of each academic year according to the requirements of the University Senate.

Formative assessment in this curriculum refers to a range of formal and informal assessment procedures conducted by peers and academic staff members that are designed to evaluate the learner's understanding, learning needs, and academic progress during each module or unit of learning. The formative assessments will be used to identify concepts that learners are finding difficult and require additional support in order to meet the Exit Level Outcomes. In addition, formative assessment will provide feedback to learners and will include deliberate practice opportunities.

In this curriculum certain pre-determined aspects of formative assessment will be graded and will be used for continuous assessment purposes and will provide for the year mark as per the requirements of the university's assessment policy. The year mark counts 50% of the final mark for each module.

Formative assessment strategies may, among others, include:

Written assignments including papers, reports and essays.

Tests (or examination equivalent tests).

Projects.

Demonstrations.

Clinical Assessments.

Peer/self-assessments.

Reflective diaries.

Oral presentations.

On-line games and quizzes.

Participation in chat-rooms.

Concept maps.

Portfolios.

Audio-and video-tapes.

Role play.

Creation of a digital or on-line task.

Simulations (real-life and flat screen and hi-tech).

Observations.

Summative Assessment:
Summative assessments in this curriculum refers to cumulative evaluations used to measure learner growth after instruction and are given at the end of a module in order to determine whether the Exit Level Outcomes have been met and therefore whether the learner may progress to the following year of study or determine the final outcome of the learner's qualification.

Summative assessment strategies may, among others, include:

Selected response item evaluations.

Short answer questions.

Extended written response questions.

Performance assessment including clinical performance.

Research Report.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The following international qualifications were selected for the comparability exercise:

The New Mexico State University, USA offers a Bachelor of Science Nursing. While sharing many of the concepts included in this qualification, the Bachelor of Science Nursing requires pre-requisite courses, and not included in this qualification. Also, the Bachelor of Science Nursing does not integrate midwifery with general nursing. Integration of midwifery with general nursing is a requirement of SANC to include the two disciplines in the qualification. The other difference between the New Mexico qualification and this qualification is that their clinical practice is split as separate modules whereas in this qualification the clinical practice is integrated. Also, the credit value of the qualifications differ.

Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia in Canada offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The qualification produces a generalist nurse, and they need to complete modules in mental health, and community and family nursing. Thus these learners will be able to practice within all aspects of the health system. This is a similar aim of this qualification where learners will be able to practice in both the district health care system and secondary and tertiary care settings.

The naming of the modules is very different. However, the content in the qualifications are similar as they use Fink's model of integration and inter-connectiveness, as well as blended learning as an approach to learning. Also, Dalhousie's qualification does not include midwifery - only general nursing which also explains why the duration is shorter. The Dalhousie qualification emphasises the application of knowledge and experiential learning in the clinical areas, which is is similar to this qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Post-basic Diploma: Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Nursing, NQF Level 9.

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