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 Orthopaedic Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
122190  Postgraduate Diploma in Orthopaedic 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  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 0922/24  2024-03-07  2027-03-07 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-03-07   2031-03-07  

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 Orthopaedic Nursing is to deliver a curative service, to promote healing, prevent complications and to alleviate suffering; based on acquired knowledge, skills, and competencies to individuals, groups, and communities within the whole Health Care System. The needs of the client will be met through a holistic approach by addressing the physical, psychological and social dimensions of the healthcare user within the public and private healthcare domain.

The orthopaedic nurse will be able to establish a research culture that will lead to evidence-based and reflective practice ensuring quality patient-focused care. The orthopaedic nurse will be able to lead and manage self as well as others within the multi-disciplinary team.

The image of nursing will be upheld through the application of an ethical, legal, and professional framework on an advanced level. On completion of the postgraduate diploma, the orthopaedic nurse practitioner will be able to progress in the marketplace with advanced knowledge, skills and specific competencies to address the burden of disease. The learner will practice as a competent, independent, critical thinker to provide scientific and safe comprehensive quality nursing care, to enhance competencies in orthopaedics which will improve or advance the quality of nursing care and advance nursing knowledge and skills to address the burden of disease, health needs, and population health care system in South African culture.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Develop preventative strategies to improve health outcomes based on integrated knowledge of fundamental multi-systems approach in orthopaedic nursing.
  • Demonstrate an ability to interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in an area of specialisation and to evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
  • Develop integrated comprehensive family-centred treatment plans based on assessment findings.
  • Apply an understanding of the complexities and uncertainties of selecting, applying, or transferring appropriate standard procedures, processes, or techniques to unfamiliar problems in a specialised field, discipline or practice.
  • Explain appropriate inter-professional care in the management plan based on present conditions.
  • Apply a range of specialised skills to identify, analyse and address complex or abstract problems drawing systematically on the body of knowledge and methods appropriate to a field, discipline, or practice.

    Rationale:
    The rationale to develop an Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner with advanced knowledge and expert clinical skills is in line with the National and Provincial Healthcare Plans and Sustainable Development Goals 2020 - 2030 as guided by the 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, specifically addressing the orthopaedic aspects of the healthcare system.

    The aim is to increase the number of qualified Orthopaedic nurses who can practice within a specialised Orthopaedic field in hospitals, clinics, primary healthcare settings, industries, and communities in both public and private sectors. The Western Cape Department of Health and Nursing Services identified in 2018 a gap of 19 Professional nurses in the Western Cape Provincial Government employment, who must be trained as Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioners to meet service delivery requirements. Approximately 7 can be trained per year. Through the training of Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioners, the training needs of the department will be met.

    Nursing specialisations are a sought-after qualification. After completing the required undergraduate nursing qualifications, followed by a postgraduate diploma, learners will gain a career path, especially if the postgraduate qualification is listed as a National Scarce Skills. There is a growing demand for Orthopaedic practitioners, given the increase in violence, accidents, and neoplasms i.e., Ewing's Sarcoma and the ageing population i.e., Rheumatoid Arthritis. Furthermore, it is well-known that the experienced Orthopaedic practitioners' retiring population is on the increase, raising the demand for competent and equipped Orthopaedic nursing practitioners.

    There is a high burden of musculoskeletal disease in the community in the Western Cape i.e., from the Western Cape census (2007) there appears to be in the region of 580 000 people older than 50 years (Dunn, 2012:3). It is important, due to the increased burden in trauma and violence, as well as the ageing population, that training in Orthopaedics needs be addressed in the Western Cape and the rest of the country. The presentation of this qualification will also alleviate the attrition gap caused by the retirement of the experienced ageing nursing population. This is based on the need for sophisticated care that has increased the sub-speciality areas within orthopaedics and the increased surgical procedures available (Dunn, 2012:1).

    The South African Nursing Council has endorsed this Orthopaedic qualification and designated the programme as a specialist nursing qualification to increase the number of qualified Orthopaedic nurses who can practice within a specialized Orthopaedic field in hospitals, clinics, primary health care settings, industries, and communities in both public and private sectors (as well as in the international setting). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    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:
  • Advanced Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Preoperative, Operating Room and Surgical Nursing, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 7.
    And
  • Should have a minimum of two years' experience, inclusive of a year of community service, as a Professional Nurse or General Nurse and Midwife (according to SANC regulation). 
    		•

    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, NQF Level 8, 120 Credits.
  • Nursing Research and Professional Ethics, 12 Credits.
  • Leadership and Management in Advanced Nursing Practice, 12 Credits.
  • Multi-system Orthopaedic Nursing, 20 Credits.
  • Foundations of Orthopaedic Nursing, 20 Credits.
  • Trauma Related Orthopaedic Nursing, 20 Credits.
  • Congenital and Developmental Disorders, 20 Credits.
  • Acute and Chronic Orthopaedic Disorders, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Facilitate and practice specialist 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 specialist field to solve contextual problems and develop policies and guidelines.
    3. Engage in planning, commissioning, and scholarly activities to inform evidence-based practice, education, or management of a specialist unit, an educational entity, or a health service.
    4. Render and coordinate patient-centred specialist nursing practice within a continuum of care using the scientific approach, integrating biomedical and psychosocial sciences including advanced pharmacology.
    5. Mobilize appropriate resources to implement standards of practice relevant to the area of specialization, to ensure quality patient care and safety.
    6. Develop and implement institutional policies, protocols, and guidelines in the area of specialisation, utilising the process of change management in the improvement of quality of care.
    7. Facilitate advocacy for the profession and provision of specialist professional support for personnel, patients, families, and communities.
    8. Appraise and develop self, peers, and nurse specialist learners by facilitating self-directedness or leadership and lifelong learning to maintain competence.
    9. Collaborate within the inter-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision-making and sound clinical judgment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1.
  • Arrange inter-professional support from health care specialists to assist in planning care for the patient according to assessed needs and unique conditions.
  • Debate the importance of ethical and legal framework in orthopaedic nursing.
  • Discuss the education of patient and family in caring for the patient in hospital, on discharge, outpatient clinics and Community Health Care (CHC) centres.
  • Apply ethical principles when conducting clinical research in Orthopaedic Nursing.
  • Manage moral distress in the multidisciplinary team and empower healthcare workers to manage moral distress.
  • Conduct and monitor the Continuous Professional Development of the Orthopaedic Nursing team.
  • Provide support for the moral decision-making process to staff, patients, and families.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2.
  • Analyse and interpret the relevant literature pertaining to the content, methodological patterns, differences, similarities, and study limitations in an article.
  • Develop preventative strategies to improve health outcomes based on integrated knowledge of fundamental multi-systems approach in orthopaedic nursing.
  • Utilize the research process in evidence-based nursing research.
  • Reflect on the ways that research literature can be used as evidence for nursing practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3.
  • Develop integrated comprehensive family-centred treatment plans based on assessment findings.
  • Explain appropriate inter-professional care in the management plan based on the presenting conditions.
  • Analyse current management plans for orthopaedic-specific patient management based on national and international standards.
  • Participate in the entire process of planning, commissioning, and management of a specialist unit on all levels including all role-players.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4.
  • Critique current management plans for orthopaedic-specific patient management, based on national and international standards.
  • Explain the consequences of trauma on the anatomy and physiology of the injured patient with orthopaedic and additional conditions.
  • Explain appropriate inter-professional care in the management plan based on the presenting conditions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5.
  • Debate the best evidenced-based specific care and elective management for specific traumatic injuries when planning nursing care.
  • Debate the multi-disciplinary team member's role in preventative, curative and rehabilitative roles specific to these patients, including care in the community setting.
  • Develop integrated comprehensive family-centred treatment plans based on assessment findings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6.
  • Participate in interprofessional team activities to apply evidence-based care.
  • Identify the best evidence-based or elective care in the prevention and management of possible complications in the traumatically injured patient with Orthopaedic conditions.
  • Utilise information technology and communication skills effectively in academic, professional, and occupational-related issues, using technologies such as PowerPoint presentations to address health-related aspects in health education presentations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7.
  • Compare decision-making and reasoning models that can be used to resolve ethical dilemmas in nursing practice.
  • Apply decision-making and reasoning models to solve ethical dilemmas in case studies.
  • Apply ethics and ethical frameworks to guide decision-making in speciality nursing practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 8.
  • Justify the advantages or contributions of continuous professional development to nursing practice.
  • Develop a proposal to nursing management for training activities to be included in the annual institutional CPD plan.
  • 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 orthopaedic nursing care.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 9.
  • Collect and compile data for identification of needs and envisaged improvement in service delivery.
  • Participate in planning committee meetings and monitor adherence to identified needs and standards.
  • Apply principles of health dialogue to communicate with patients, significant others, and professional teams in the orthopaedic nursing care unit. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia
    Name of the Institution: Australian College of Nursing.
    Qualification title: Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Nursing
    Duration: One year
    Entry requirements:
  • Bachelor of Nursing
    And
  • Hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

    Purpose:
    The Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Nursing is designed for registered nurses working in a variety of orthopaedic environments. This qualification aims to cultivate excellence in the delivery of nursing care through the exploration and integration of theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice, and clinical nursing.
    Participants have an opportunity to expand their professional development and improve their research skills through online forums and discussions of professional and clinical issues. Learners of this course will be better prepared to implement evidence-based practice and contemporary research to improve personal outcomes.

    Course Structure:

    Modules:
  • Advancing Professional Practice.
  • Core Principles of Orthopaedic Nursing compares with Multi-system Orthopaedic Nursing.
  • Advanced Applied Pathophysiology.
  • Assessing and Managing Adult Pain.
  • Assessment of the Older Person.
  • Therapeutic Communication.
  • Understanding Data in Health Care.
  • Wound Management.
  • Clinical Practice in Orthopaedic Nursing compares with Foundations of Orthopaedic Nursing.

    Similarities:
  • The Graduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Nursing (GCCN) and the South African (SA) qualifications are both offered over one year and accept learners who have completed a bachelor's degree in nursing.
  • Both qualifications share similar modules such as Clinical Practice in Orthopaedic Nursing comparable to Foundations of Orthopaedic Nursing and Core Principles of Orthopaedic Nursing, comparable to Multi-system Orthopaedic Nursing.
  • Both qualifications share similarities in their purpose aiming at preparing learners to implement evidence-based practice and contemporary research to improve personal outcomes.
  • Similarly, the SA qualification aims to enable learners to establish a research culture that will lead to evidence-based and reflective practice ensuring quality patient-focused care.
  • The GCCN qualification is presented for registered nurses who want to become expert practitioners in orthopaedic nursing.
  • For the SA qualification, registered nurses will similarly get the opportunity to qualify and become expert orthopaedic nursing practitioners.
  • The SA orthopaedic speciality nurses may also progress into an orthopaedic nursing speciality nursing role, or as an orthopaedic speciality educator to support learners, tutors and nurse educators, or leadership position in a managerial position in the speciality field.
  • Similarly, the GCCN qualification prepares nurses for a gratifying career in the health and community services sector.

    Differences:
  • The GCCN learning methods such as online research forums differ from that of the SA qualification, which is registered as face-to-face learning.
  • There is only one intake of the SA qualification, whereas the GCCN's qualification has a January and July intake.

    Country: Ireland
    Name of the Institution: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - RCSI
    Qualification title: Postgraduate Diploma in Orthopaedic Nursing
    Duration: One year
    Entry requirements:
  • Be a registered nurse or midwife on the register in your country of practice.
    And
  • Hold a bachelor's degree.

    Purpose:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Orthopaedic Nursing will prepare learners to exercise an advanced level of clinical judgment and practice - beyond what is required of a registered general nurse (RGN) in their specialist area of orthopaedic practice.

    The qualification aims to assist learners in taking a leading role in advancing and developing nursing in this area, and effecting policy change in professional practice and health service provision. This qualification is also suitable for nurses who are taking up new posts in orthopaedic trauma or for those who have been working in the area for some time but have not completed postgraduate education. It will offer learners the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, experience and clinical expertise in the challenging and dynamic environment that is orthopaedic nursing.
    The qualification is offered in two streams: elective orthopaedic care (in partnership with the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh) and orthopaedic trauma, which is open to participants working in any orthopaedic trauma unit.

    Course structure:
    Modules:
  • Advanced Research Methods compares with Nursing Research and Professional Ethics.
  • Advanced Leadership - Clinical & Professional, compares with Leadership and Management in Advanced Nursing Practice.
  • Professional Critical Reflexivity and Competence.
  • Principles of Orthopaedic Nursing compares with Foundations of Orthopaedic Nursing.
  • Nursing the patient undergoing management of musculoskeletal issues by elective and conservative means.
  • Nursing the Orthopaedic Trauma Patient, compares with Trauma Related Orthopaedic Nursing.

    Similarities:
  • The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), and the South African (SA) qualifications accept learners who have completed a bachelor's degree in the relevant field and are both offered over one year.
  • The RCSI aims to offer learners the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, experience and clinical expertise in the challenging and dynamic environment that is orthopaedic nursing.
  • Furthermore, the RCSI qualification aims to assist learners in taking a leading role in advancing and developing nursing in this area, and effecting policy change in professional practice and health service provision. This qualification is also suitable for nurses who are taking up new posts in orthopaedic trauma or for those who have been working in the area for some time but have not completed postgraduate education.
  • Similarly, one of the aims of the SA qualification is to enhance competencies in orthopaedics which will improve or advance the quality of nursing care and advance nursing knowledge and skills to address the burden of disease, health needs, and population healthcare system in South African culture.
  • The SA qualification further aims to increase the number of qualified Orthopaedic nurses who will have the ability to practice within a specialised Orthopaedic field in hospitals, clinics, primary health care settings, industries, and communities in both public and private sectors.
  • Both qualifications share several similar modules such as Nursing the Orthopaedic Trauma Patient, compares with Trauma Related Orthopaedic Nursing, Principles of Orthopaedic Nursing, compares with Foundations of Orthopaedic Nursing and Advanced Research Methods compares with Nursing Research and Professional Ethics.
  • Both qualifications vertically articulate into a master's degree.

    Differences:
  • The SA qualification will be presented full-time over a year. All modules are compulsory. whereas the RCSI qualification is presented part-time, with the option of completing the program over two years.
  • The RCSI qualification is offered in two streams (elective orthopaedic care and orthopaedic trauma) which is open to participants working in any orthopaedic trauma unit.
  • The SA qualification has only core modules. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Critical Care Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Perioperative Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Physiotherapy in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy, NQF Level 9.

    Diagonal Articulation
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    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.