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:

Diploma in Nursing

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
112979	Diploma in Nursing
ORIGINATOR
Free State School of Nursing
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Curative Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Not Applicable	NQF Level 06	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-11-22	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2033-06-30

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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The Diploma in Nursing will provide a basis for decision-making about what is within and beyond the defined scope of practice, as well as an understanding of the referral system in place for anything outside the scope of practice. The general nurse will apply evidence-based nursing practice based on research or established practices that have proven to be useful both nationally and internationally within the profession.

The qualification aims to:

Produce high quality registered general nurse who is a competent nursing practitioners in PHC facilities and Community settings;

Provide registered general nurses with a range of skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to health services;

Equip learners with a developed sense of equity, justice and service ethics that will ensure that they work in an accountable manner, irrespective of their chosen workplace;
And

Offer a wide range of transferable skills for application in other professions, disciplines and registered general life. These include:
> A systematic, solution-based approach to problem-solving.
> An empowerment strengths-based approach to personal development.
> Competence in written and oral communication.
> Capacity to assess and implement health and other policies.
> Ability to plan, implement and manage projects of a varied nature.
> Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Rationale:
Human resources requirements for the Primary Healthcare Re-Engineering is approximately 15000 general nurses (Health 2012). Institutions need to train as many as possible to meet the national human resource requirements. The general nurse will have broad knowledge and skills about nursing, antenatal, postnatal care and emergency births and will develop competence through work-integrated learning. The general nurse will practice as a member of the PHC outreach teams at both facility and community-based settings.

The general nurse will manage Community Health Workers (CHW) teams. The general nurse will:

Preventive and promotive services, and

Curative and rehabilitative services.
Furthermore, the general nurse will function independently in community-based settings and be in charge of low-risk wards without complicated cases.

The Diploma in Nursing will enable the registered general nurse to function as a clinically focused, service-oriented, independent practitioner. They will render primary nursing care as determined by the appropriate legislative framework.

On successful completion of this qualification, the learner is eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council as a General Nurse.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The learners may utilise the institutions' RPL Policy to recognise prior learning for access to the qualification.

RPL for Fundamental module credits:
The institution awards credits on the following conditions:

Theory credits: subjects in previous health courses/qualification/s that are similar to the module/s of the R171 qualification the learner applied. Theory learning outcomes of the subject was identical to the theoretical learning outcomes of the module of the R171 qualification.

Work-integrated credits: clinical experiences in clinical facilities or health-related facilities that relate to the clinical learning outcomes of the WIL.

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

National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.
Or

Senior Certificate without endorsement.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 120 Credits:

Promoting health in the South African Context, 14 Credits.

Managing Basic Health Information Systems, 10 Credits.

Providing Basic Nursing Care, 24 Credits.

Basic Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology, 8 Credits.

Applying Psycho-Social Health in Basic Nursing Practice, 4 Credits.

Integrating ethical and legal frameworks to basic nursing practice, 16 Credits.

Providing HIV and AIDS Primary Care, 10 Credits.

Providing Basic Nursing Care, 24 Credits.

Applying Psycho-Social Health in Basic Nursing Practice, 6 Credits.

Biophysics and Biochemistry, 4 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 240 Credits:

Applying Pharmacology in Nursing Practice, 4 Credits.

Integrated Anatomy and Physiology in Nursing Practice, 6 Credits.

Providing evidence-based community-oriented PHC, 24 Credits.

Managing (Adult) Communicable Diseases, 22 Credits.

Adult non-communicable diseases nursing, 24 Credits.

Managing Child Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases, 24 Credits.

Providing school health Services, 16 Credits.

Managing reproductive health, 24 Credits.

Managing and Leading a health unit, 16 Credits.

Managing HIV and AIDS and TB, 24 Credits.

Managing and Leading a health unit, 16 Credits.

Integrating National Health Priorities in Nursing Practice, 24 Credits.

Introduction to Midwifery, 16 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply knowledge of natural and biological sciences in the practice of nursing.
2. Apply knowledge of psychosocial sciences in the practice of nursing.
3. Apply knowledge of pharmacology in nursing practice.
4. Provide nursing care throughout the lifespan in various healthcare settings.
5. Render nursing care within a legal and ethical framework.
6. Use and maintain healthcare information systems for nursing practice.
7. Manage a healthcare unit by implementing the management process.
8. Provide reproductive health care to promote and maintain optimum health of individuals and families.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Apply knowledge of microbiology in caring for the health care user.

Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology in caring for the health care user.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply knowledge of psychology and sociology in ways which benefit the quality of healthcare delivered to health care users.

Understand and apply knowledge of human behaviour and psychological development throughout the life span is understood and applied.

Implement social and diversity-sensitive care in nursing practice.

Identify a range of psychological emergencies and manage accordingly.

Deal with emotional demands of nursing practice effectively.

Apply knowledge of pharmacology in nursing practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Apply knowledge of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in nursing practice within the applicable scope of practice.

Prescribe, control, dispense and administer medications in various healthcare settings within legislative requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Provide preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative nursing care to different age groups in various health care settings.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Render nursing care within an ethical, legal framework.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Use and maintain healthcare information systems in the practice of nursing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Implement the management process in managing a health care unit.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Promote and maintain the optimum health of individuals and families through the provision of reproductive health care.

Integrated Assessment:
The institution uses a holistic approach to assessing the achievement of learning outcomes. The assessment includes assessing several learning outcomes together, using a range of assessments methods and evidence. The alignment of the methods of assessments include projects and assessment tasks with expected learning outcomes and learning activities. Examples are an immersive simulation, proficiency tests, clinical case management, integrated practicum examination, assignments and reports.

Formative assessments both theoretical and clinical, are used to integrate theory and work-integrated learning. Theoretical assessments comprise written tests, assignments, group work or projects. Clinical assessments are competency-based assessments used in real life or simulation in the form of assignments and projects.

Final summative assessments will take place at the end of each semester in the form of both theory and clinical. Module descriptors provide the basis to determine the nature of summative assessments. Also indicate whether a summative assessment is theoretical, clinical or both.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Learners in South Africa complete a Diploma in Nursing in three years. The Higher Education Institutions of other countries such as the USA, UK and Australia also offer three-year Diploma in Nursing. The qualification focusses on providing learners with skills to enter the nursing practice. Admission criteria to access the qualification in these countries are such as Senior/High School certificate, mathematics and biology/life sciences. These are similar to the requirements of the South African qualification.

During the education and training of nurses in other countries, the Diploma qualifications combine theoretical, work-integrated clinical learning and simulation. As international higher education qualifications indicate that a significant component of studies will be in clinical placements to practice and obtain skills and attributes, the South African qualification total clinical placement is 197 of the 360 Credits (specified according to the SANC R171 framework). Upon completion of this qualification, the learner will have to challenge a SANC licentiate examination to allow practising as a registered nurse. Other countries such as USA, UK, Australia Nursing Councils also require licentiate examinations of learners on completion of nursing qualifications.

International curricula and qualifications include subjects such as Psychology, Anatomy Physiology, Nutrition, Medical-surgical nursing and Pharmacology. International Curricula highlight human anatomy and physiology as nursing fundamentals as well as core topics such as medical-surgical nursing. The institution compiled the South African qualification according to the SANC R171 framework that indicates fundamental and core modules.

Nursing modules/subjects cover nursing in the life span from childhood to elderly care. The skills gained in this programme are similar to international graduate attributes such as how to:

Assist in the provision of preventative, curative and rehabilitative nursing.

Have an understanding of anatomy and physiology.

Implement infection prevention measures.

Provide nursing care for the client.

Understand the legal and ethical parameters of nursing practice.

Promote positive health outcomes.

Understand the health issues of Indigenous Australians.

Contribute to the nutritional and mental health care of clients.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

The qualification allows for both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Diploma in Nursing Education.

Vertical Articulation:

Advanced Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science, NQF Level 7.

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.

1.	Free State School of Nursing