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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 | |||
| 117041 | Diploma in Nursing | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| South African Military Health Service Nursing College | ||||
| 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 | Promotive Health and Developmental Services | ||
| 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 | 2020-05-28 | 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:
This Diploma in Nursing will enable the learner to function as a clinically focused, service orientated, independent, General Nurse who can render nursing care as determined by the appropriate legislative framework. The qualification 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, which is outside of the scope of practice. The General Nurse will apply evidence-based nursing practice which is based on research or established practices that have proven to be effective both nationally and internationally within the profession. The learner will demonstrate competencies of basic knowledge, affective, cognitive and psychomotor skills to function as a clinically focused, service orientated, independent General Nurse who can deliver nursing care as determined by the appropriate legislative framework. Rationale: This qualification serves to provide an entry to the profession of nursing. Learners who obtain this qualification will be deemed competent in applying basic knowledge, affective, cognitive and psychomotor skills. The qualification is in line with the current higher education landscape and the healthcare systems in the country. The qualification is aligned to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF), new nursing qualifications and the new scope of practice for General Nurses as envisaged by the South African Nursing Council (SANC). On successful completion of this qualification, the learner is eligible for registration with the South African SANC as a General Nurse. This qualification will prepare the qualifying learner as a General Nurse who will be able to meet the service delivery needs of the country. The learner who has successfully completed this qualification has a significant contribution to make in the current situation of human resources in health in South Africa, taking into consideration the country's historical background and the shortage of nurses and doctors in the country. The practice of this General Nurse is focused on quality service delivery within a broad spectrum of health services and in a variety of settings, including rural areas. In addition, this qualification will provide for General Nurses who can deliver healthcare within a PHC re-engineering approach within the military environment and South Africa where healthcare users' entry point is at a primary healthcare level. The General Nurse will practice as a member of the PHC outreach teams at both facility and community-based settings. Also manage Community Health Worker (CHW) teams and provide school health, preventive and promotive as well as curative and rehabilitative services at the community level. Furthermore, the General Nurse will be able to function independently in community-based settings and be in charge of low-risk healthcare facilities with uncomplicated cases. The institution is the only Military Nursing College in South Africa with a unique culture, rules/regulations and demands which differ slightly with that of other NEIs. Nurse educators and learners employed by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are uniformed members who are simultaneously soldiers as well as nurses. This unique capability provides the SANDF with suitably trained Military Nurses to fulfil its mandate within the country. The Department of Defence requires trained competent nurses to provide nursing care to defence force members and their dependents as well as military veterans. The geographical location, rural areas of the country and scarcity of healthcare practitioners result in disparities in the accessibility of healthcare services in South Africa. The training of General Nurses will also increase the capabilities of the institution both nationally and internationally as the skill can be utilised in operational deployments and humanitarian aid actions where the host countries lack the human capacity or are overwhelmed by services to be provided. The training of Defence Force members is an essential part of force preparation. It may encompass instruction at any military or tertiary institution for higher education and learning in the world, as well as practical training which must include physical training, sport, structured recreational activities and military exercises (Defence Act no 42 of 2001:10). This institution and campuses have been assigned the responsibility of training General Nurses to complement the Defence Force operational needs as well as upgrade the country's capabilities. This qualification must, therefore, meet the capabilities mentioned above required from a Military Nurse and will be emphasised in the Diploma of Nursing qualification such as separate modules for disaster management and emergency care. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners with legacy qualifications who wish to access the qualification but do not meet the admission criteria, i.e. R2175 and R2176 will be expected to undergo the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by matching their skills, knowledge and experience to specific standards and associated assessment criteria of the 3-Year Diploma in Nursing R171 qualification. An application must be submitted according to the RPL Policy of the Nursing Education Institution for individual assessment for the RPL process for access to this qualification or credit-bearing exemption. Individuals who have acquired learning through life or work experiences, formal or non-formal education, can be assessed and subsequently awarded credit for access to a nursing education qualification at this institution. A criterion-referenced (as opposed to a norm-referenced) assessment system should be used. A subject specialist must do assessment. RPL credit is determined on a course match basis. Academic staff with expertise in both the subject matter and outcomes is requested to assess prior learning applications. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 and 6 totalling 368 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits1: Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 248 Credits: |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Demonstrate an understanding of natural, psycho-social sciences, biological sciences and pharmacology in the practice of nursing.
2. Provide nursing care throughout the lifespan in various health care settings. 3. Render nursing care within a legal and ethical framework. 4. Use and maintain healthcare information systems for nursing practice. 5. Manage a healthcare unit by implementing the management process. 6. 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:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: IIntegrated Assessment: The assessment policy and guidelines on assessment provide parameters on how to compile theoretical and clinical formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments, both theoretical and clinical, will be conducted to integrate theory and work-integrated learning. Formative theoretical assessments will be written tests, assignments, group work or projects. Formative clinical assessments will be conducted in real life or simulation in the form of a competency-based assessment, e.g. POE, assignments/projects continuously throughout the semester. Final summative assessments will take place at the end of each semester in the form of both theory and clinical. The qualification comprises of various modules. Each module articulates specific learner assessment methods. Module descriptors provide the basis to determine the nature of summative assessments and indicate whether a summative assessment is theoretical, clinical or both. Summative theoretical assessment will be written examinations, assignments or projects. Summative clinical assessments will be comprehensive case studies, OSCEs or projects. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| As stated in the rationale for this qualification, learners who complete this course will be competent General Nurses with the ability to apply basic knowledge and skills in the field of general nursing. The General Nurse will further be able to make a significant contribution to the health needs of the country, especially in the Military community on a primary health care level. The International Council for Nurses (ICN) refers to a generalist nurse as a person responsible for the promotion of health, and prevention of illness of individuals of all ages, families and communities; for the planning and management of care of individuals of all ages, families and communities with physical or mental illness, disabilities or rehabilitation needs in institutional and community settings and care at the end-stage of life.
In light of the above, this qualification can thus be said to develop a general nurse who complies with the competencies prescribed by the ICN. Furthermore, considering the fluidity of interstate boundaries, especially in the South African Development Community (SADC) countries, and the increase in globalisation, the general nurse, will be able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through this qualification in a broader context. Examples of comparative qualifications are: The Job Training Institute Australia. 3-year Diploma of Nursing. The Job Training Institute in Australia offers a 3-year Diploma of Nursing for learners wishing to pursue a career in the Health Care Industry, in sectors such as Acute Care, Rehabilitation, Community Council. The Diploma of Nursing includes 400 hours of compulsory clinical placement and practical skills acquisition to equip learners for a career in the Health Care Industry. The Diploma of Nursing course is divided into six terms with 3 study periods. In each term, learners undertake units focused on theory and practice. The learners are required to undertake supervised professional practice in a range of healthcare settings, such as Aged Care 120 hours, Mental Health 60 hours, Subacute (Medication and Diabetes) 80 hours, Acute 100 hours, Primary Health Placement 40 Hours. This course has face-to-face, examination, written and simulated assessment tasks, online and self-study modes. The course requires 20 hours per week of contact (classroom-based) teaching plus online, self- directed study. Professional Practice Experience (PPE) is coordinated as such that each learner undertakes a minimum of 400 hours of professional practice experience that is supervised by a clinical teacher, mentor or preceptor. Learners receive a PPE book at the beginning of the course, which details all the information required by the learners while at the work placement as well as preparations to be undertaken before going for the PPE. The nurse educators and the clinical facilitators will guide the learners to meet the mandatory learning requirements that are expected during the PPE period. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| 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. | South African Military Health Service Nursing College |
| 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. |