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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
121383  Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
Western Cape College 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
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive 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 1221/24  2024-01-30  2027-01-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-01-30   2031-01-30  

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 purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing qualification is to develop quality specialists who can be competent mental health practitioners.
The qualification aims to provide mental health practitioners with a range of skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to set trends and take leadership roles in a meaningful and sustained contribution to health services.
Mental health practitioners will develop a sense of equity, justice and service ethics that will ensure that they work in an accountable manner irrespective of their chosen workplace.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing will offer a wide range of transferable skills for application in other professions, disciplines, and general life. These include:
  • Capacity to assess and implement health and other policies.
  • An ability to affect areas of policy change, development, and implementation.
  • Ability to plan, implement and manage projects of a varied nature.
  • An ability to work independently and as part of a team.

    This qualification will meet the needs of the client through a holistic approach by addressing the physical, psychological and social dimensions of the healthcare user within the public and private healthcare domain.

    The qualification aims to enhance competencies in a specialisation which will improve the quality of nursing care and advance nursing knowledge and skills to address health needs within the parameters of the Health Care Plan 2030, the disease burden, and Millennium Developmental Goals.
    In addition, the mental health practitioner will be able to establish a research culture that will lead to evidence-based and reflective practice as well as lead and manage self and others within the multi-disciplinary team. The image of nursing will be upheld through the application of an ethical, legal, and professional framework.

    The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Practice and facilitate mental health nursing, nursing education or health services management within the ethical-legal parameters of the profession.
  • Engage in planning, commissioning, and managing a mental health unit, an educational entity, or a health service.
  • Engage in scholarly activities to inform evidence-based practice, education, or management in mental health nursing.
  • Utilise, manage and communicate data to support decision-making and research in mental health nursing.
  • Advocate for the profession and provision of mental health professional support for personnel, patients, families, and communities.
  • Collaborate within the inter-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision-making and sound clinical judgment in mental health nursing.

    On completion of the qualification, the learner will be able to progress in the marketplace with advanced knowledge, skills, and specific competencies. This will provide them with an opportunity to continue with a master's degree.

    Rationale:
    The rationale behind the proposed qualification for the Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing is that the much sought-after qualification is required to address the burden of disease, especially in the Western Cape where the high incidence of substance abuse and violence lead to increased mental health problems.

    In 2007 the Nursing Occupational Specific Dispensation was implemented and numerous units in Psychiatry were identified as specialist areas. Staff with a basic qualification in Mental Health Nursing were translated into the specialist field. These staff members were required to complete the legacy post-basic Diploma in Mental Health Nursing.

    The HEQSF-aligned Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing will provide a career path for professional nurses working in Mental Health services and ensure adequate skills and knowledge to manage the burden of mental illness in the Western Cape as well as in South Africa. This skill is listed on the National Scarce Skills list.

    Furthermore, it is to develop a mental health nurse practitioner with advanced knowledge and expert clinical skills in line with the National and Provincial Healthcare Plans and Sustainable Development Goals as guided by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This will promote the health status of the South African population and alleviate the lack of skills and practitioners to address the quadruple burden of disease in the healthcare system.

    In 2018, in the Western Cape, it was identified that there is a backlog of 84 Mental Health nurses to be trained. This does not include the attrition rate and loss due to retirement. Obtaining this qualification will increase the number of qualified nurses who can practice within a specialised field in hospitals, clinics, industries, and communities in both the public and private sectors.

    On completion of this qualification, learners will be able to practice in various and diverse settings such as acute care settings, therapeutic units, community mental health centres, day treatment programmes, substance abuse programmes, shelters for women and children, liaison settings, and private practice. 
    		•

    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:
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Health Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Critical Care Nursing, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 7.
    And
    Registration with the South African Nursing Council as a professional nurse. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.
  • Compulsory modules, Level 8, 120 Credits.
  • Nursing research and professional ethics, 12 Credits.
  • Leadership and management in advanced nursing Practice, 12 Credits.
  • Adult Mental Health Nursing, 28 Credits.
  • Child/adolescent Mental Health Nursing, 24 Credits.
  • Gender-based/domestic violence and sexual assault and abuse, 20 Credits.
  • Treatment Modalities in Mental Health Nursing, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes
    1. Facilitate and practice mental health nursing, nursing education or health services management within the ethical-legal parameters of the profession.
    2. Apply the knowledge of and facilitate evidence-based practice, nursing education or management in the mental health nursing field to solve contextual problems and develop policies and guidelines.
    3. Plan, commission, engage and manage a mental health unit, an educational entity, or a health service.
    4. Engage in scholarly activities to inform evidence-based practice, education, or management in mental health nursing.
    5. Utilise, manage and communicate data to support decision-making and research in mental health nursing.
    6. Render and co-ordinate patient-centred mental health practice within a continuum of care using the scientific approach, integrating biomedical and psychosocial sciences including advanced pharmacology.
    7. Mobilize appropriate resources to implement standards of practice relevant to mental health nursing, to ensure quality patient care and safety.
    8. Develop and implement institutional policies, protocols, and guidelines for mental health nursing utilising the process of change management in the improvement of quality of care.
    9. Facilitate advocacy for the profession and provision of mental health professional support for personnel, patients, families, and communities.
    10. Appraise and develop self, peer, and mental health nursing learners by facilitating self-directedness, leadership and lifelong learning to maintain competence.
    11. Collaborate within the inter-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision-making and sound clinical judgment in mental health nursing.
    12. Participate in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of nursing policies, programmes, and projects at provincial or national level in mental health nursing. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1.
  • Explain the role of the mental health care professional providing testimony in court.
  • Debate the Mental Health Care Act 17 of 2002 aimed at regulating mental health care and access to and provision of mental health nursing care, treatment, and rehabilitation services.
  • Manage ethical dilemmas in a mental health clinical facility.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2.
  • Evaluate theories from nursing and related disciplines to provide high-quality, culturally sensitive, and ethically based mental health patient-centred care.
  • Reflect on the ways that mental health research literature can be used as evidence for nursing practice.
  • Participate in interprofessional team activities to advocate for evidence-based care in mental health nursing.
  • Utilise the research process in evidence-based mental health nursing research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3.
  • Apply information technology and communication skills effectively in academic, professional, and occupational-related issues, using technologies such as PowerPoint presentations to address mental health related aspects in health education presentations.
  • Collect and compile data to identify needs and envisage improvement in mental health service delivery.
  • Participate in the entire process of planning, commissioning, and management of a mental health care unit on all levels including all role-players.
  • Apply knowledge and assume the role of the mental health operational manager in submitting unit needs for inclusion in the capital budget.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4.
  • Illustrate ability to apply skills in the management of the mental health care unit based on evidence from audits.
  • Explore evidence-based research in mental health care nursing.
  • Conduct a needs analysis of the mental health nursing staff training needs.
  • Develop a proposal to the mental health nursing management for training activities to be included in the annual institutional CPD plan.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5.
  • Apply knowledge and distinguish the possible causes and problems which might contribute to the development of a mental health illness.
    Explore how research is used as evidence guiding the practice of mental health care nursing.
  • Analyse and interpret the relevant literature of the content, methodological patterns, differences, similarities, and study limitations in mental health care nursing research.
  • Interpret qualitative and quantitative data related to mental health nursing clinical research and communicate these findings to the interprofessional team to improve mental health nursing care.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6.
  • Utilise the principles of a therapeutic milieu to create a therapeutic environment for mental health care users.
  • Compare the traditional versus managed care delivery systems in the South African context of mental health nursing.
  • Employ the steps of the nursing process to plan, implement and evaluate general and specific nursing care/interventions for MHCUs.
  • Evaluate the most applicable types of pharmacology used during the treatment and care of mental health care users.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7.
  • Utilise assessment data to compile and evaluate a psychodynamic formulation.
  • Analyse the predisposing and precipitating causes for the development of a mental health disorder in children and adolescents.
  • Critically contest the factors which may influence the recovery process of people with mental illness.
  • Formulate appropriate audit tools to identify actual and potential risks to patient safety and security in mental health nursing.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 8.
  • Explain how body image, identity, independence, social role, and sexual behaviour can produce adaptive or maladaptive responses in adolescence.
  • Explain the strategies that can be used to improve the health status of a target population in a community related to mental health.
  • Discuss the responsibility of the mental health nurse in the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act as amended.
  • Participate in research projects in the community on various aspects of gender-based/domestic/intimate partner violence.
  • Apply the protocols, procedures, and legal aspects guiding the management of child abuse/child neglect in the South- African context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 9.
  • Apply ethical decision-making processes to complex issues and ethical dilemmas within the management process of mental health nursing.
  • Compare decision-making and reasoning models that can be used to resolve ethical dilemmas in mental health nursing.
  • Debate the importance of advocacy as an essential part of care for children and adolescents with Mental Disorders and people with Neurodevelopment disorders.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 10.
  • Assume responsibility for own professional development and those of the nursing team members to promote continuous professional development to advance competencies and improve the quality of mental health nursing care.
  • Justify the advantages and contribution of continuous professional development to mental health nursing practice.
  • Promote and monitor CPD attendance for mental health care nursing staff.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 11.
  • Apply principles of health dialogue to communicate with patients, significant others, and professional teams in the mental health care unit.
  • Explicate the need to integrate mental health care into primary health care in South-Africa.
  • Discuss the important facets of meaningful co-operation within the nursing and multi-disciplinary team according to the principles of co-responsibility for and collaboration to achieve mental health as the common objective.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 12.
  • Evaluate primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of mental illness of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders and people with a neurodevelopment disorder.
  • Debate gender-based violence as a public health and social problem in South Africa.
  • Develop guidelines to ensure standards of care meet quality requirements in mental health nursing.
  • Utilise statistical data to measure progress with quality assurance interventions in mental health nursing.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Formative Assessment:
    Assessment consists of a continuous assessment system comprising formative and summative assessments.
    It is an assessment task such as:
  • Quiz
  • Draft of an essay
  • Report in a writing process
  • Mock exam intended as a teaching and learning exercise or as preparation for a continuous summative assessment.

    Summative Assessment:
    Summative assessments consist of assessment tasks such as:
  • Assignments
  • Case studies
  • Tests
  • OSCE
  • Portfolios
  • Workbooks

    Learner's progress will be assessed at the end of a section of work rather than exclusively by final assessment at the end of the semester or year.
    A minimum of two and a maximum of three assessments will be performed for a semester subject.

    For year subjects a minimum of three and a maximum of five assessments will be conducted. Assessments (theory and clinical) will contribute equal weight (percentage) towards the final mark.

    Assessments will be conducted in the subjects for both theory and clinical learning (WIL). In the subject templates the assessments are stipulated for both theory and clinical learning (WIL component) as well as the content that will be assessed.

    The theory comprises 40% and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) comprises 60%. Learners must pass both the theory and WIL components to pass the subject.

    To pass a subject, the learner must have at least 50% as a final mark. In core subjects, both theory and clinical learning components must be passed to pass the subject.
    Students receive feedback from the assessors/lecturers immediately after a clinical learning assessment and for written assessments (SA) as soon as the students are in the theory block. In instances where re-assessments are scheduled before the theory block. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United Kingdom
    Name of the institution: City University of London
    Qualification: Adult and Mental Health Nursing MSc
    HE: Level 07
    Duration: Three years

    Entry requirements:
  • A lower second-class honours degree or above.
  • An awareness of health or health-related care issues and have worked at least 500 clinical hours to be eligible for the MSc programme.
  • Grade C (4) in GCSE English and Mathematics or an overseas equivalent.

    Purpose:
    The overarching aim of the qualification is to provide learners with the qualities of a 'City nurse' upon successful completion of the qualification. A learner will be able to lead high-quality evidence-informed person-centred care to enhance the health and well-being of individuals, their families, and their communities throughout life.

    City nurses will be adept and skilled at working to promote health, prevent ill health, mitigate further deterioration when ill health occurs and promote recovery. Working proactively with wider health and social partners, and families, City nurses will be confident to provide holistic care in a wide range of settings, often at home or within the community and with a wide range of partners.
    On successful completion of qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • Synthesise relevant legal and regulatory requirements, governance requirements, policies, and ethical frameworks and guidelines so there will be appropriate application to practice.
  • Critically evaluate and synthesise knowledge of research methods, ethics and governance to inform best nursing practice.
  • Synthesise the available evidence and draw on experience to underpin logical and sound decision-making.
  • Synthesise knowledge of biopsychosocial sciences and human development applying this knowledge to develop accurate person-centred nursing assessments and develop appropriate care plans.
  • Critically evaluate knowledge of pharmacology, to inform safe prescribing from an agreed formulary, recognising the effects of medication, allergies, drug sensitivities, side effects, contraindications, incompatibilities, and the impact of polypharmacy.
  • Critically evaluate leadership theories for teamwork and decision-making.
  • Analyse the principles and processes of performance management and how these apply to leadership roles in nursing.

    Modules:
  • Foundations for Evidence Informed Nursing Knowledge and Care Across the Life course > Practice 1- Foundations for Nursing Care
  • Integration of care for people with acute and long-term needs across health and social care (Adult and Mental Health), compares with Adult Mental Health Nursing.
  • Critical Use of Evidence to Inform Decision-Making in Practice
  • Principles of Prescribing
  • Applying Knowledge and Skills for Person-Centred Care for Practice (Adult and Mental
    Health)
  • Leading and Managing Across Health and Social Care, compares with Leadership and Management in advanced nursing Practice.
  • Developing Advanced Knowledge and Skills for Professional Practice

    Similarities:
  • Upon completion of the City University of London (CUL) qualification, the learner will be able to achieve the required professional competencies to be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a registered nurse (RN) in both Adult and Mental Health Nursing.
  • For the South African qualification (SA), the learner will be registered by SANC with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing: Mental Health.
  • CUL and SA qualifications share similar exit level outcomes such as:
  • Synthesise relevant legal and regulatory requirements, governance requirements, policies, and ethical frameworks and guidelines.
  • Critically evaluate knowledge of research methods, ethics, and governance to inform best nursing practice.
  • Critically evaluate leadership theories for teamwork and decision-making.
  • Both CUL and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Leading and Managing Across Health and Social Care, comparable to Leadership and Management in Advanced Nursing Practice.

    Differences
  • The CUL qualification is offered over three years and must be completed within five years of commencing the programme.
  • The SA qualification is offered over one year and has compulsory modules.
  • The CUL qualification comprises of more subjects and is more specific to certain topics. > The SA qualification is pitched at NQF Level 8, carrying 120 credits.
  • The CUL qualification is pitched at HE Level 7 with 250 credits.

    Country: Switzerland
    Name of the institution: James Lind Institute
    Credits: 138
    Duration: 18 months

    Entry requirement:
  • Bachelor's degree or an equivalent recognized academic title, preferably in a life science-related area.

    Purpose:
    Mental and behavioural health issues constitute a spectrum of health challenges affecting all levels of the social strata. The COVID-19 pandemic has sensitized populations to diverse mental health issues potentially due to direct biological effects as well as major psychosocial and economic consequences of the pandemic.

    Recognizing and addressing mental health issues at the primary healthcare level is a major need globally. Our MPH in Mental and Behavioral Health (MBH) specialization trains you to promote mental and behavioural health through an interdisciplinary and holistic health approach. The focus is to promote, secure and improve mental health of individuals, communities and populations using focused, evidence-based and tailored public health strategies.

    Course structure:
    After completing 42 credits, an interim qualification of Advanced Diploma in Public Health Management is awarded. This part of the study only includes coursework. This is followed by the completion of an additional 72 credits via coursework and 24 credits via dissertation under the guidance of a mentor.

    Modules:
  • Health Planning and Hospital Management compares with Leadership and Management in Advanced Nursing Practice.
  • Mental Health compares with Adult Mental Health Nursing.
  • Fundamentals of Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Research Methods
  • Occupational Health
  • Public Health Risk Assessment for Human Exposure to Chemicals
  • Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Urban Living and Public Health

    Specialization Courses:
  • Fundamentals of Mental Health for Public Health
    Neuroscience
  • Hormonal & Immune System
  • Mental and Behavioral Health Epidemiology
  • Mental Health Prevention and Promotion
  • Psychological Interventions for Mental Health compares with Treatment Modalities in Mental Health Nursing.
  • Nutrition & Mental Health
  • Global Mental Health
  • Leadership for Mental Health

    Similarities:
  • The James Lind Institute (JLI) and South African qualifications share similar entry requirements.
  • JLI accepts learners who have completed a bachelor's degree or an equivalent recognized academic title in a life science field.
  • SA qualification accepts learners who have completed a Bachelor of Nursing degree at NQF level 7.
  • Both qualifications share similar modules such as health planning and hospital management comparable with leadership and management in advanced nursing practice.
  • The SA qualification aims to produce qualified nurses who can practice within a specialised field in hospitals, clinics, industries, and communities in both the public and private sectors.
  • The JLI specialization trains learners to promote mental and behavioural health through an interdisciplinary and holistic health approach.

    Differences:
  • The JLI qualification is offered over eighteen months and carries 138 credits.
  • The SA qualification is offered over one year and carries 120 credits.
  • The JLI master's programme requires learners to complete a dissertation monitored by a supervisor.
  • The SA qualification has work-integrated learning, and learners are expected to perform evidence-based research in mental health care nursing. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing and Health Services Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Medicine, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours in Psychology, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science Honours, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Nursing in Mental Health, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing Science in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Community Mental Health, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing, NQF Level 9.

    Diagonal Articulation
    Diagonal articulation options are not available. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    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. Western Cape College of Nursing 


    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.