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: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
120987  Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
Gauteng College of Nursing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0917/23  2023-07-04  2026-07-04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-07-04   2030-07-04  

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 purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing is to strengthen and deepen the learner's knowledge and practice as a speciality. The qualification will enable the primary care nurse specialist to engage in their respective areas of specialist practice with in-depth knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to enhance professional independence and health outcomes. This qualification provides a career path for registered nurses who want to stay in a primary health care system and would like to specialize in a focus area and add to their depth of knowledge and skill.
This qualification will enable the learner to become an expert in an area of their specialization.

The curriculum uses an outcome-based approach whereby learners are placed for Work Integrated Learning in specialized primary care settings to apply the required competencies. A collaborative teaching and learning approach will promote an evidence-based Primary Care setting.

Upon completion of the qualification a qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Practices and facilitate specialist primary care nursing within the ethical-legal parameters of the profession.
  • Apply the knowledge of and facilitate evidence-based practice in the primary health care specialist field to solve contextual problems and develop policies and guidelines.
  • Appraise and develop self, peers, and primary care nursing learners by facilitating self-directedness leadership and lifelong learning to maintain competence.
  • Facilitate advocacy for the profession and provision of primary care nursing specialist professional support for personnel, patients, families, and communities.
  • Engage in planning, commissioning, and managing primary health care speciality units.

    Rationale:
    The positioning of Nursing Education within the higher education band is a legislative mandate responding to both transformations in the education system of the country and the health care system agenda that complies with the provisions of the Higher Education Act (Act 101 of 1997 as amended in 2008) the change in the educational landscape of the country mandates the alignment of the nursing qualifications to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The qualification is aimed at responding to the various Health Care Policies and National Guidelines including but not limited to Primary Health Care Re-engineering, National Health Insurance, norms, and standards including the ideal clinics for access by all.

    The Nursing Act No. 33 of 2005 provides for training, leading to registration as a Nurse Specialist in Primary Care Nursing.
    Government Notice No. 801 of 2016, Published in the Government Gazette on 6 July
    2016 Gazette - Circular 7 of 2016. The circular stipulates information regarding the Phasing out of legacy nursing qualifications, and implementation of nursing qualifications to be aligned to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF).
    SANC Regulation 635 of 2020 prescribes the requirements for registration in the category of Nurse Specialist.

    This qualification aims at producing a primary care nurse specialist equipped with competencies to respond to the diverse health needs of the country relating to primary care. The teaching and learning process incorporates government programs in addressing the quadruple burden of diseases (HIV/AIDS, TB, Maternal & Child Morbidity & Mortality, Injuries, Violence and Non-communicable diseases) through a primary care and community-based approach. 
    		•

    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 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 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.

    RPL for exemption of modules:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from 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:
  • Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 7
    Or
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science in Education, Management and Community, NQF Level 7
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Critical Care Nursing, NQF Level 7
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Trauma and Emergency Nursing, NQF level 7
    And
  • Proof of current SANC registration as a Professional Nurse and Midwife for General Nurse with Midwifery. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications
    Framework, Level 8 totalling 144 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 144 Credits:
  • Health Service Dynamics, 16 Credits.
  • Health Science Research, 12 Credits.
  • Advance Health Assessment 100, 16 Credits.
  • Advance Primary Care Management 100, 30 Credits.
  • Primary Care WIL 100 (Work Integrated Learning), 70 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the ability to practice and facilitate specialist primary care nursing within the ethical-legal parameters of the profession.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge of and facilitate evidence-based practice in the primary health care specialist field to solve contextual problems and develop policies and guidelines.
    3. Appraise and develop self, peers, and primary care nursing learners by facilitating self-directedness leadership and lifelong learning to maintain competence.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to facilitate advocacy for the profession and provision of primary care nursing specialists, and professional support for personnel, patients, families, and communities.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to engage in planning, commissioning, and managing primary health care speciality units.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to utilize, manage and communicate data to support decision-making and research.
    7. Demonstrate the ability to render and co-ordinate patient-centred specialist primary care nursing specialist practice within a continuum of care using the scientific approach, integrating biomedical and psychosocial sciences including advanced pharmacology.
    8. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate within the inter-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision-making and sound clinical judgment.
    9. Demonstrate the ability to develop and implement policies, protocols, and guidelines in the area of primary care nursing specialisation utilising the process of change management in the improvement of quality of care. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Critically apply personal attributes and behaviour that demonstrate conformity to the relevant code of ethics in the practice of specialist primary care nursing.
  • Apply critical decision-making and moral reasoning models and principles to make clinical judgements and resolve ethical dilemmas within the primary care nursing specialist practice.
  • Take accountability to demonstrate own professional judgement, actions, outcomes of specialist primary care nursing, provided and continued competence are demonstrated.
  • Identify and apply the relevant current legislation, policies, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to specialist primary care nursing practice.
  • Document all specialised care activities accurately, comprehensively, and timeously taking into account the legal requirements for record keeping.
  • Apply knowledge of the primary care nursing specialist's role in the management of professional misconduct and risks taking into consideration the institutional protocols and ethical-legal framework.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Engage in primary health care specialist practice, demonstrate an understanding of and the process of evidence-based primary care specialist practice.
  • Carry out the appropriate application of evidence-based primary care nursing specialist practice, taking into consideration the appropriate methodology of gathering evidence for the practice, such as systematic or scoping reviews, appraisal of articles, practice-based research, and publication.
  • Apply evidence-based primary care nursing specialist practice, demonstrate knowledge of and critical analysis of the various levels of evidence.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate leadership skills through the application of appropriate leadership styles, principles and theories of health service management.
  • Apply continuous professional development for self and others to effectively facilitate lifelong learning by creating a positive learning climate in the workplace through the processes of mentorship, preceptorship, supervision, performance appraisal, etc.
  • Engage in performance appraisal and demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and processes of the performance management and development system.
  • Utilise feedback gained from self-reflection, peers, students, management, and other relevant stakeholders to improve effectiveness in the primary nursing care specialist role.
  • Critically apply understanding of the various risk factors that impact health and wellness within the workplace and apply strategies to care for self, peers, employees, and students.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the purpose of the advocacy role for a primary care nursing specialist practice.
  • Apply advocacy principles to ensure safe and quality care/ in various healthcare settings.
  • Communicate effectively and use appropriate channels to facilitate advocacy.
  • Effectively lobby and participate in interest groups to influence legislation and policy affecting the role performance.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate understanding of levels and or classification of the respective primary care nursing speciality units.
  • Commission tasks taking into consideration the burden of diseases and priority services as determined by current events.
  • Critically participate in the evaluation of the existing primary care nursing speciality unit, and demonstrate knowledge of guidelines for provisioning a primary health care speciality unit.
  • Perform tasks and demonstrate understanding and knowledge of own role and responsibilities within inter and intra-professional teams.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Collect, analyse, and document all data gathered in the context of the primary care nursing specialist practice, for utilisation and storage in accordance with the set standards.
  • Utilise comprehensive data, information, and emerging evidence pertinent to the respective primary care nursing specialist practice.
  • Critically analyse all gathered data from patients, families, communities, students, or employees including current scientific evidence and identify problems, diagnoses, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Apply professionalism and show respect for intellectual property and avoid plagiarism.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the position of primary care nursing specialist service within the health care system.
  • Illustrate knowledge of the full range of services within the primary health care nursing specialist area of practice.
  • Render primary care nursing specialists that integrate, promote, prevent, curate, rehabilitate and palliative care in a healthcare continuum.
  • Apply knowledge, skill, and attitude to render specialist care in accordance with national and international standards and protocols of the primary health care nursing specialist field.
  • Formulate primary care nursing diagnoses that are congruent with the patient's or client's clinical manifestations or data and are based on accurate analysis and interpretation of data obtained from scientific, laboratory, diagnostic, technological and psycho-sociocultural assessment including consultation of relevant/current literature/evidence.
  • Apply knowledge to show that planned primary care nursing interventions are based on formulated nursing diagnoses and the application of specialised knowledge and skills (competencies) including advanced pharmacology in collaboration with inter and intra-professional teams.
  • Effectively implement the planned primary care nursing interventions in accordance with set evidenced-based standards, guidelines, protocols, algorithms etc. specific to the primary care nursing specialist field.
  • Collaboratively plan health care interventions with the patients or clients, family, and relevant members of the health care team.
  • Apply primary care nursing interventions that include preparation of patients or clients, families, and nurses in the lower-level care for continued care in the hospital and community in accordance with their health status and health literacy.
  • Effectively document and revise primary care nursing interventions based on the critical analysis of the monitoring and evaluation data and reaching a sound clinical judgement.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Apply informed decisions and sound clinical judgement to identify practice problems in the primary care nursing specialist area, share evidence and collaboratively solve them.
  • Consult and provide appropriate timeous and holistic care in a healthcare continuum through awareness of one's competence.
  • Carry out patients' referrals appropriately and timeously as dictated by the patient's condition and in accordance with the referral guidelines.
  • Participation in the inter- and intra-professional team is promoted, visible and recognised by the members of the team.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the process and or steps of development of policies, standards, guidelines, and protocols.
  • Apply informed knowledge in the development of policies, standards, protocols, and guidelines and involve the relevant and pre-determined stakeholders.
  • Apply appropriate methods in the process of development and evaluation or testing of guidelines and protocols.
  • Critically apply an understanding of the process in the implementation of the new policies, protocols, and guidelines as the primary care nursing specialist.
  • Collaboratively revise at appropriate intervals the developed policies, protocols, and guidelines and approve these as per the institutional policy for the primary care nursing specialist area. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: University of New Zealand
    Institution: Auckland University of Technology
    Qualification title: Postgraduate Diploma in Registered Nurse Prescribing
    Duration: One year full-time
    Credits: 120
    Level: 8

    Entry requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent and have at least one year experience as a Registered Nurse in the field of specialisation to be undertaken.
    And
  • Be a registered nurse with a current NCNZ practicing certificate.

    Purpose/Rationale:
    This qualification advances postgraduate academic development while preparing eligible registered nurses to meet the Nursing Council of New Zealand educational requirements for registered nurse prescribing.

    Qualification Structure:
    Module:
  • Science for advanced practice
  • Pharmacology Science and Therapeutics
  • Advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning, compares with Advance Health Assessment.
  • Speciality Practicum compares with Primary Care Work Integrated Learning.

    Learning outcomes:
    1. Demonstrate competence in advanced focused health assessment skills, diagnostic decision-making, and the development of a comprehensive management plan.
    2. Collaborate and consult with other health professionals about appropriate interventions, appliances, treatments, or medications.
    3. Apply relevant legislation, and professional and economic regulation of drug therapy, to advanced health professional practice.
    4. Analyse and synthesise knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, and developmental biology as components of advanced clinical practice.
    5. Use knowledge of biological principles to critique clinical guidelines, protocols and scientific or clinical research findings and their application to advanced clinical procedures.

    Similarities:
  • Both the New Zealand (NZ) and South African (SA) qualifications are offered over a period of one-year full-time and bear minimum credits of 120 at level 8 of their respective countries' national qualifications framework.
  • Both the NZ and SA share a similar purpose which is to prepare eligible registered nurses to meet their countries' nursing councils' registration requirements.
  • Both NZ and SA share similar modules such as advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning and advanced health assessment.
  • Both NZ and SA share similar learning outcomes that is to demonstrate competence in advanced focused health assessment skills, diagnostic decision-making, and the development of a comprehensive management plan.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: City University of London
    Institution name: The Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care (Practice Nursing)
    Duration: One year full-time or two years part-time
    Credits:120
    Entry requirements:
  • Honours undergraduate degree with either a First or 2.1 classification
    And
    Employed as a Practice Nurse and this must be continuous for the duration of the programme.

    Purpose/Rationale:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care (Practice Nursing) has been developed as a full-time or part-time programme for registered nurses, who are employed as practice nurses. Primary care is experiencing an unprecedented cycle of change. Developments in structure, administration and roles all have implications for practitioners employed within this sector. Health policies have led to the need for increasing numbers of practice nurses to meet the service need of clients, their careers, and families.

    Qualification structure:
    Modules:
    The programme consists of 8 modules, 3 of which are core namely:
    Core Module:
  • Research Methods compares with Health Science Research.
  • Health Policy and Politics
  • Key Concepts of Practice Nursing

    Elective Modules:
  • Key Concepts in Practice Nursing 2
  • Clinical Assessment in Primary Care compares with Advance Health Assessment
  • Innovations in healthcare leadership and management perspectives
  • Long-Term Conditions
  • Education in the workplace compares with Primary Care (Work Integrated Learning),

    Learning outcomes:
    1. Critically evaluate and appraise ways in which the needs of clients, their careers and their families are recognised and met to promote and enhance physical and psychological health and prevent disease.
    2. Analyse and critically apply models of information systems, information management and other aspects of management in primary care.
    3. Critically identify and assess the needs of clients, their careers and their families using a holistic approach and analyse and evaluate the outcomes of this approach.
    4. Draw on relevant knowledge to identify the social, political, and economic influences on the health of clients, their careers, and families and how these impact an individual's health beliefs.
    5. Work co-operatively within a multidisciplinary team, whilst always adhering to the guidelines of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code, (2018).

    Assessment and Assessment Criteria:
    Both formative and summative assessments will be transparent throughout the practice nursing programme.

    Formative feedback will be available on:
  • Group or individual presentations and or tutorial support.

    Summative assessment:
    Will integrate a variety of assessments, which will be dependent on the choice of optional modules including:
  • Essays
  • Skills schedule
  • An Exam
  • Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
  • Poster development and supporting paper.
  • Protocol development and a supporting paper
  • A research proposal

    Similarities:
  • The United Kingdom (UK) qualification and South African (SA) qualifications are offered over a one-year full-time period and have a minimum of 120 credits.
  • Both the UK and SA qualifications share a similar purpose, they are offered to registered nurses, who are currently working as general practice nurses and wish to develop their skills and progress their careers.
  • Both the UK and SA qualifications share similar learning outcomes, such as critically identifying and assessing the needs of patients or clients, their careers and their families using a holistic approach and evaluating the outcomes of this approach.
  • Both UK and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Clinical Assessment in Primary Care and advanced health assessment.
  • Both UK and SA qualifications use formative and summative assessments.

    Differences:
  • The UK qualification has core and elective modules whereas the SA qualification only offers core modules. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma: Community Health, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Education, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Forensic Medicine, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Pain Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Medicines Development, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science Honours: Community Nursing Science, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Health Sciences in Nursing, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing Science: Research, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Public Health, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing in Community Health, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing in Health Services Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing Science in Nursing Administration, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing Science: Advanced Emergency Nursing Science, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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.