SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Nursing

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
119173	Bachelor of Nursing
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare
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		Promotive Health and Developmental Services
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
Registered		SAQA 057/22	2022-02-03	2025-02-03
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-02-03		2032-02-03

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
117790	Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	480	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery will enable the learner to function as a clinically focused, service-orientated, independent registered professional nurse and midwife who can render comprehensive care across all spheres of health, as determined by the appropriate legislative framework. Comprehensive nursing in this context is defined in legislation as "Nursing interventions that integrate and apply the scientific process of the full range of nursing i.e. general, community, obstetric, mental health that promote and maintain the health status of health care users in all contexts of health care delivery".

More specifically, the qualification will:

Produce competent professional nurse practitioners within a wide range of health service settings.

Provide learners with a wide 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 a responsible and accountable manner, irrespective of their chosen workplace.

Offer a wide range of transferable skills for application in other professions, disciplines and general life, including:

A methodical solution-based approach to problem-solving.

On empowerment-based approach to the development of self and others.

Competence in written and oral communication.

Capacity to assess and implement health and other policy.

Ability to plan and implement and manage projects of a varied nature.

Research capacity.

Rationale:
Reports on the status of nursing in the country indicate a growing gap between the demand and supply of professional nurses and midwives, the decline in learners entering the nursing profession and the ageing population of professional nurses. The decline of learners has been a matter of great concern to the South African Nursing Council and the Department of Health (DoH). The problem is discussed in the Human Resources Plan for Health, which the Minister of Health launched in April 2006, and the emphasis is given to the recruitment of more learners into professional nursing. The registration of a Professional Degree in Nursing is seen as imperative to promote the uptake of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.

Of importance in this qualification is the scope. The learner will be more comprehensively qualified than before, with a scope that includes obstetric skills, mental health, and primary health care (first level contact and provision of health services with a referral system in operation when cases are beyond their scope). A person with this qualification will work with all patients, stabilised or not, and take responsibility for health care in any context. Also, he/she will take responsibility for managing nursing care in a health care facility. The qualification will provide him/her with a comprehensive view of the field and the necessary skills to screen patients and refer as required.

On successful completion of the qualification, the learner is eligible for registration with the relevant statutory body (currently the South African Nursing Council) as a Professional Nurse. Successful registration will license nurses to practise as a professional nurse as defined in the Nursing Act No. 33 of 2005. The Act defines a Professional Nurse as one who: "is educated and competent to practise comprehensive nursing, assumes responsibility and accountability for independent decision making in such practice, and is registered and licensed as a professional nurse under the Nursing Act".

There is a strong need for nurses and midwives to be equipped to promote the quality of health care in South Africa. They are expected to initiate quality measures and take full responsibility for all nursing and midwifery practice. There is recognition in the health care field of the need to benchmark practices and work towards quality improvement; to this end, the qualification makes provision for a strong research component. After having developed their practical skills, Professional Nurses will act as professional team leaders, typically deployed as a unit and/or zone managers. They are both the providers and managers of health care; there is a strong coordination role for care provided by other caregivers. Professional nurses and midwives will look at developing the capacity of other team members.

The qualification, while solidly grounded in practice, is intended to provide access to further academic routes and provides for high-quality learning opportunities with a focus on specialisation and research.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access:

Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.

To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit:

Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

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

Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement and a pass in Mathematics, Physical Science and Biology.
Or

National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor studies with Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, 6, 7, and 8 totalling 530 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 128 Credits:

Fundamental Nursing Science, 12 Credits.

Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing, 8 Credits.

Human Anatomy, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and Health Education, 8 Credits.

Human Physiology, 12 Credits.

Fundamental Nursing Science, 12 Credits.

Fundamental Nursing Science Practical, 32 Credits.

Human Anatomy, 12 Credits.

Human Physiology, 12 Credits.

Psychology, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 130 Credits:

Comprehensive Nursing Science 1, 8 Credits.

Microbiology, 12 Credits.

Pharmacology, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Research (Information Management), 16 Credits.

Sociology, 10 Credits.

Comprehensive Nursing Science 1, 8 Credits.

Comprehensive Nursing Science Practical, 24 Credits.

Introduction to Midwifery, 8 Credits.

Introduction to Midwifery Practical, 8 Credits.

Pharmacology, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 136 Credits:

Comprehensive Nursing Science 2 (Theory), 8 Credits.

Comprehensive Nursing Science 2 Practical (General), 24 Credits.

Unit Management, 8 Credits.

Midwifery (Normal), 16 Credits.

Midwifery, 8 Credits.

Midwifery Practical, 48 Credits.

Comprehensive Nursing Science 2 (Mental Health) Practical, 8 Credits.

Unit Management, 8 Credits.

Introduction to Health Information system, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 136 Credits:

Comprehensive Nursing Science 3 (Specialised, 8 Credits.

Research Methodology, 16 Credits.

Unit Management I, 8 Credits.

Unit Management II, 8 Credits.

Unit Management Practical, 8 Credits.

Comprehensive Nursing Science 3, 8 Credits.

Comprehensive Nursing Science Practical, 32 Credits.

Research Project, 16 Credits.

Midwifery High Risk, 16 Credits.

Midwifery Practical (ESMOE Skills lab), 16 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. 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.
2. 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.
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 to improve the quality of care.
6. Apply learning strategies effectively to address their 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, following national legislative and policy frameworks.
8. Maintain optimal health of a woman, her family and baby, post-partum, post-partum and intrapartum.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Conduct advocacy activities to promote individual, group and community rights concerning law and health care provision.

Apply practice consistently in a manner that reflects a clear understanding and interpretation of the requirements of SA Nursing and Health Care legislation, including the primary healthcare approach.

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

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

Apply knowledge of bio-natural sciences meeting the requirements for professional health care, and promoting effective nursing and midwifery care delivery.

Implement nursing interventions based on individualised plans that reflect the 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).

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

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

Assist the client to identify indicators of relapse or complications and ways of preventing such occurrences.

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

Provide treatment and manage common conditions (including prescribing and dispensing medications) following relevant legislation and protocols.

Demonstrate understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as standard treatment protocols/guidelines evident in prescribing and administering drugs perinatal women.

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

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

Develop unit philosophy, vision, mission, goals, policy and procedures for nursing and midwifery care provision and personnel management within a health care unit complying with current legislation, SANC requirements and international best practices for the profession.

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

Direct management and leadership activities are directed towards the establishment of a team approach to health care, and the effective delivery of services within a physically safe and emotionally supportive environment.

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

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

Implement and monitor quality management systems effectively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Organise, present and communicate professional information that is accurate and consistent with professional expectations.

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

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate accurately and timeously, and thereby promote effective service delivery as well as security and confidentiality of information.

Set and monitor standards for unit health care delivery regularly, and identify areas for improvement on an ongoing basis.

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

Use interpersonal skills effectively to establish and sustain supportive and therapeutic relationships.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

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

Conduct research based on ethically sound research principles and methods.

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

Provide care that is based on scientific evidence.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Maintain personal development and emotional balance, and promote effective and professional service delivery by oneself and by the health care unit as a totality.

Engage in professional development activities contributing significantly to the professional growth of nurses in spheres of influence, and the expected standards of the nursing profession.

Conduct research activities to develop professional knowledge and expertise, and to 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 to do so.

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:

Ensure that health care provided is appropriate to the context and based on comprehensive health assessment.

Implement nursing care in an integrated manner, according to plans. Identify changes in the health care status of individuals, groups and/or communities to implement preventive or corrective measures in the interests of general wellbeing timeously.

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

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

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

Demonstrate competent clinical skills at all times.

Ensure that clinical decisions/judgements made are following principles of clinical governance.

Implement problem-solving strategies that are scientific, systematic and appropriate to address identified problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Prepare the woman and family for pregnancy, childbirth and family changes appropriately, taking into consideration the woman's context/background which is facilitated using antenatal classes and appropriate health education.

Conduct obstetric history-taking and physical examination of the pregnant woman in a comprehensive manner, using a variety of available technology.

Interpret observed changes and laboratory results accurately, appropriately and make a referral where potential risks to mother and/or foetus exists.

Monitor the wellbeing of the foetus by observing foetal movement, heart rate and growth.

Monitor and manage the mother during childbirth comprehensively, and understand the physiology of childbirth, using technology to monitor the mother and wellbeing of the foetus.

Manage and demonstrate an understanding of changes taking place in a new-born baby.

Identify potential and actual emergencies of the mother and/or foetus timeously, accurately, manage and refer appropriately.

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

Provide integrated postnatal care for the long-term wellbeing of mother and child, in line with the accepted scope of practise for midwives.

Integrated Assessment:
The South African Nursing Council regulations are used as minimum requirements for competence for purposes of registration for practice. Evidence of integration will be required as per the following broad criteria, all within the context of an active learning environment.
Assessment should take place within the context of:

Quality Assurance policies, procedures and processes.

A guided and supported learning environment.

Formative Assessment:;
Throughout the qualification, formative assessment strategies are used to ensure that exit level and critical cross-field outcomes are achieved, which include:

Written assignments;

Tests (or examination equivalent tests);

Projects;

Demonstrations;

Clinical Assessments, and;

Any applicable method, including evidence of involvement in a research project.

Summative Assessment:
Summative assessment may take the form of, but not limited to:

Oral.

Written.

Practical examinations.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery compares favourably to similar qualifications identified internationally.

Country: Ireland
Name of the Institution: Dublin State University
Qualification: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (General)

Country: United States of America
Name of the Institution: Delaware State University
Qualification: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Country: Canada
Name of the Institution: McMaster University
Qualification: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Similarities:
The institutions and the qualifications presented above are comparable with the South African standards in that they offer their qualifications at a Bachelor's level and their NQF levels are similar to the South African qualification.

The content of this qualification compares largely with the content in all the other qualifications, including Social Sciences, Psychology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology and all other core nursing modules. Similar to the South African qualification, these institutions also offer an integration of theory and practice in their qualifications to strengthen the clinical component.

Differences:
Generally, in all the identified international institutions, midwifery is a standalone qualification. Delaware State University's undergraduate qualification offers it only as an introductory module. In the South African qualification, the department opted to integrate nursing and midwifery in its qualification to concur with SANC guidelines and other South Africa qualifications.

Reasons:
The identified countries are the first choice of international employment for South Africa nurses. Also, the South African institution has established some relationships and partnerships with most of the identified universities. These partnerships are forged due to the similarities that these institutions share.

Employability:
South Africa nursing standards exceed those in comparable countries. The scope of practice of nurses in this qualification is inevitably much broader and is endorsed by the fact that most of the international countries are keen to employ South African nurses. The proposed qualification will meet the recognition requirement in most of the member countries of the international community.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Nursing, Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

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NOTES

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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.

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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.

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