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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Perioperative Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
123344  Postgraduate Diploma in Perioperative Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
Life Healthcare Group (prev College of Learning/Afrox Coll 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  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 0628/24  2024-11-21  2027-11-21 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-11-21   2031-11-21  

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 Perioperative Nursing is to develop intellectual, practical skills and professional values. The qualification will strengthen and deepen the learners' knowledge and expertise in nursing as a speciality.

The qualification is intended for qualified nurses who want to specialise in perioperative care practice. The qualification aims to produce competent, service-driven perioperative nurses who provide person-centred perioperative care integrating family involvement and acknowledging the patient as part of a community, culture and active society within the interprofessional team.

Upon completion of the qualification, the qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Provide clinical leadership in the care of patient/s throughout the lifespan in a specialist nursing/midwifery field.
  • Provide comprehensive evidence-based nursing/midwifery care including technology for patients in a specialist nursing/midwifery field.
  • Practice within an ethical-legal framework.
  • Evaluate health care outcomes and make innovative suggestions to improve quality care and safety.
  • Provide professional support for personnel, patients, families, and groups to promote independence and behavioural change.
  • Explore and improve current practices to meet the changing needs of patients and communities.
  • Make recommendations to improve the cost-effectiveness of care.
  • Demonstrate accountability and moral reasoning for independent clinical decisions made.
  • Participate in research activities such as fieldwork and publication of clinical findings.
  • Collaborate with multi-disciplinary team members and refer patients to relevant organizations/services.

    Acquiring this qualification will enable the graduate Nurse Specialist to function as a clinical leader who is clinically focused/competent, independent, service-orientated and autonomous with the ability to render comprehensive, scientific nursing care as determined by legislation.

    Rationale:
    There has been a shortage of specialist nurse training for all specialist areas including the perioperative unit since the phasing out of the legacy non-HEQSF Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing (Operative Theatre Nursing Science). Specialist units such as the perioperative unit require specially trained nurses who have undergone quality education. This qualification is required for a nurse to meet the South African Nursing Council's (SANC's) competency profile for the perioperative specialist nurse. Nurses trained at the undergraduate level have limited exposure to the perioperative unit, in world-class facilities for clinical learning to provide safe patient care.

    According to the South African Nursing Council (SANC), specialist units should be managed by a specialist nurse, should have a shift leader and non-specialist nurses in training require supervision from a specialist nurse. The institution has 66 healthcare facilities providing a range of services throughout South Africa, including Botswana, and each offering includes innovative technology and treatment techniques, interdisciplinary care, community hospitals and stand-alone facilities, which provide the appropriate scope of healthcare services as well as the best life, health and care possible.

    In line with the vision and the mission of the institution, this qualification seeks to train nurse specialists, which will address the needs of the country in providing specialised perioperative care for its patients and that of Human Resources for Health in South Africa. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    There is no RPL for access at this stage. SA Nursing Circular 14 of 2022 illustrates the SANC's disagreement with the Council on Higher Education's Communique 10 of 2022.

    The SANC's Education and Training Guideline for Postgraduate Diplomas is specific with regard to the minimum requirements for admission: proof of current registration as a Professional Nurse and Midwife (NQF level 8) or a General Nurse with a Midwifery qualification (NQF level 7). Considering this requirement, it is challenging for a higher education institution to accommodate applicants via the route of RPL for access.

    In future, RPL for access may be an implementable option in the case of:
  • 4-year Diploma in Nursing (SANC regulation 425).
  • Diploma in General Nursing (Bridging Course Regulation 683) with a legacy Diploma in Midwifery Qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Nursing, NQF level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Midwifery, NQF level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Preoperative, Operating Room and Surgical Nursing, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Trauma and Emergency Nursing, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science, NQF Level 7.
    And
  • Registered with the SANC as a Professional Nurse and Midwife or General Nurse with Midwifery.
    And
  • Two years' experience after registration as a Professional Nurse and Midwife or General Nurse and Midwife which includes at least one year of experience in the speciality field within the last five years. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Advanced nursing practice, 16 Credits.
  • Research for practice development, 8 Credits.
  • Advanced perioperative nursing science, 92 Credits.
  • Healthcare policy development, 4 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the ability to practice and facilitate specialist nursing within the ethical and legal parameters of the profession.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to appraise and develop self, peers, and nurse specialist students by facilitating self-directedness / leadership and lifelong learning to maintain competence.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to facilitate advocacy for the profession and provision of specialist professional support for personnel, patients, families, and communities.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to engage in planning, commissioning, and managing a specialist unit.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to utilize, manage and communicate data to support decision-making and research.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge of and facilitate evidence-based practice in the specialist field to solve contextual problems and develop policies and guidelines.
    7. Demonstrate the ability to engage in scholarly activities to inform evidence-based practice.
    8. Demonstrate the ability to render and co-ordinate patient-centred specialist nursing practice within a continuum of care using the scientific approach, integrating biomedical and psychosocial sciences including advanced pharmacology.
    9. Demonstrate the ability to mobilize appropriate resources to implement standards of practice relevant to the area of specialization, to ensure quality patient care and safety.
    10. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate within the inter and intra-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision-making and sound clinical judgment.
    11. Demonstrate the ability to participate in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of nursing policies, programmes, and projects at provincial or national.
    12. Demonstrate the ability to develop and implement institutional policies, protocols, and guidelines in the area of specialization, utilising the process of change management in the improvement of quality of care. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Conform to the relevant code of ethics in the practice of specialist nursing.
  • Be accountable for own professional judgment, actions, outcomes of care and continued competence is demonstrated.
  • Identify and apply the latest and relevant legislation, policies, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to specialist practice.
  • Document accurately, comprehensively, and timeously all care activities considering the legal requirements for record keeping.
  • Apply critical decision-making and moral reasoning models and principles to make clinical judgements and resolve ethical dilemmas within the specialist practice.
  • Discuss the nurse specialist's role in the management of professional misconduct and risks considering the institutional protocols and ethical-legal framework.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply leadership skills, and appropriate leadership styles, principles and theories.
  • Gain and utilise feedback from self-reflection, peers, learners, and management to improve effectiveness in the specialist role.
  • Effectively facilitate Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for self and others for lifelong learning by creating a positive learning climate in the workplace through the processes of mentorship, preceptorship, supervision, and performance appraisal.
  • Engage in performance appraisal and explain the purpose and processes of the performance management and development system.
  • Practice various risk factors for stress and burnout and the impact on health and wellness at the workplace and use strategies to care for themselves and their peers/employees/learners.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Discuss the purpose of the advocacy role for a specialist nurse.
  • Use advocacy principles to advocate for safe and quality care in healthcare institutions.
  • Participate in advocacy programmes.
  • Lobby and participate in interest groups to influence legislation and policy affecting role performance.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Commission tasks considering the burden of diseases and priority services as determined by current events.
  • Apply guidelines for the provisioning of a specialist unit.
  • Participate in the evaluation of an existing specialist unit.
  • Discuss the roles and responsibilities of planning and commissioning tasks within the inter-professional team.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Document all data/information gathered in the specialist practice context for utilisation and storage in accordance with the set standards.
  • Utilise comprehensive data, information, and emerging evidence pertinent to the context.
  • Identify and diagnose the problem and opportunities for improvement based on gathered and critically analysed assessment data from the patients/clients, families, communities, learners, or employees including current scientific evidence.
  • Observe intellectual property and ensure that documentation is without plagiarism.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Engage in specialist practice and the process of evidence-based practice.
  • Apply evidence-based specialist practice considering systematic or scoping reviews, appraisal of articles, practice-based research and publication.
  • Use evidence-based practice and critically analyse various levels of evidence.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Practice appropriate search engines and databases for review of the literature to inform evidence-based practice in the respective specialisation.
  • Apply appropriate methods to generate evidence for utilisation in specialist practice, e.g., research, and systematic reviews.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the peer-reviewed journals to use for sharing of evidence.
  • Base activities in the specialist practice on scientifically proven evidence.
  • Actively participate in inter-professional dialogues, debates, and discourses in quality improvement.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Examine the position of own specialist service within the health care system.
  • Render specialist care which integrates promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care in a continuum.
  • Apply the full range of services within the specialist area of practice.
  • Apply knowledge, skill and attitude in rendering specialist care in accordance with national and international standards and protocols of the specialist field
  • Formulate nursing diagnoses congruent with the patient's/client's clinical manifestations/data 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.
  • Plan individualised nursing interventions considering patient's/client's needs, values, beliefs, preferences, culture and contextual variables, for example, disease burden, health risks, national priorities, etc.
  • Plan health care interventions in collaboration with the patient, family and relevant members of the health care team.
  • Plan nursing interventions based on formulated nursing diagnoses and apply specialised knowledge and skills (competencies) including advanced pharmacology in collaboration with the inter-professional team.
  • Plan and implement timeously, accurately, safely and effectively nursing interventions in accordance with set standards, guidelines, protocols, algorithms, bundles, etc. specific to the specialist field.
  • Prepare patients/clients, families, and nurses in the lower-level care in nursing interventions for continued care in the hospital and community in accordance with the health status and health literacy of the patient/client.
  • Timeously and effectively document and revise nursing interventions based on critical analysis of the monitoring and evaluation data and reaching a sound clinical judgment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Identify the infrastructure and equipment needed in the specific area of specialisation.
  • Render care, and monitor the equipment used in the specialist area.
  • Employ sound asset management principles to ensure appropriate, adequate, well-maintained, and up-to-date equipment.
  • Assign staff to nurse care considering the specialist qualification, competencies, experience, and standard nurse-patient ratios for the area of specialisation, job description and skill mix.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Identify, share, and collaboratively solve practice problems in the specialist area by informed decisions and sound clinical judgement.
  • Appropriately and timeously consult and provide holistic care in a continuum through awareness of one's competence.
  • Appropriately and timeously carry out patient referrals as dictated by the patient's condition and in accordance with the referral guidelines.
  • Recognise members of the team when engaging in the inter-professional team.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Apply steps in levels of the development of policies, programmes, and projects.
  • Explore own role and responsibilities within the inter-professional policy/project team in project and policy development.
  • Advocate for the nursing profession and patients/clients, families, and communities in the specialist area in policy development, programme, and project development.
  • Apply appropriate communication (negotiation, bargaining, assertive, persuasive, etc.) in project and development.
  • Provide timely feedback to own constituency where necessary.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:
  • Discuss the process and or steps of development of policies, standards, guidelines and protocols.
  • Involve relevant and pre-determined stakeholders in the development of policies, standards, protocols and guidelines.
  • Use the appropriate methods, for example, systematic or scoping reviews in the development and evaluation or testing of guidelines and protocols to inform development, and AGREE tool, Delphi, etc. for testing/appraisal of the proposed guidelines and protocols.
  • Introduce and implement the new policies, protocols and guidelines to the specialist area and apply the change process.
  • Collaboratively develop, and revise policies, protocols and guidelines at appropriate intervals and sign as per the institutional policy for the specialist area.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT:
    Formative and summative assessment during the qualification takes place through a process of evaluation to promote assessment for learning using feedback as a means of supporting student development and informing teaching and learning practices.

    The assessment plan is guided by the intention to assess the achievement of the respective exit-level learning outcomes together with the desired graduate attributes that reflect higher-order thinking and critical cross-field outcomes.

    The assessment strategy is included in the qualification strategy document in the Assessment Programme Provisioning Documents. Integrated assessment comprises formative and summative assessment.

    Formative assessment may be given by means of:
  • Case presentations.
  • Clinical simulations.
  • Peri-operative care plans.
  • Workbooks.
  • Tests.
  • Oral presentations by individuals and project teams.
  • Clinical evaluations.

    Summative assessment may be given by means of:
  • Written and oral examinations.
  • Clinical examination. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia.
    Institution: University of Adelaide.
    Qualification Title: Graduate Diploma in Nursing Science (Perioperative Nursing).
    Duration: One year full time.
    Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in nursing or equivalent.
    And
  • Have at least one year's experience as a registered nurse in the field of the specialisation to be undertaken.
    And
  • Be registered, or be eligible for registration, as a nurse in Australia or New Zealand and be employed at a minimum of 0.64 FTE in the field of specialisation.

    Purpose/Rationale:
    Nurses are highly respected members of the community. They care for patients in a range of settings and touch lives with empathy, compassion and humour.
    This specialisation is suited to nurses currently practising perioperative nursing who want to build their competencies for senior positions in the area. Graduates are prepared for careers in a variety of settings from clinical to community, rural, acute care, and other non-clinical areas. The qualification leads to a Master of Nursing Science (Perioperative Nursing).

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules.
  • Introduction to Perioperative Nursing Practice.
  • Research Literacy.
  • Professional Practice.
  • Specialised Perioperative Nursing Practice.
  • Concepts of Perioperative Nursing.
  • Knowledge Translation.

    Similarities:
  • The University of Adelaide (UL) and the South African (SA) qualifications are offered one year of full-time study.
  • Both qualifications require the Bachelor of Nursing for admission.
  • Both qualifications share a similar purpose.
  • The UL graduate attributes are comparable to the SA qualification, namely: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth; Creative and critical thinking, and problem-solving; Teamwork and communication skills; Professionalism and leadership readiness; Intercultural and ethical competency.
  • Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency is comparable to SA cultural diversity; Digital capabilities; Self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
  • Both qualifications lead to a Master of Nursing Science (Perioperative Nursing).

    Differences:
  • The UL qualification includes research literacy as a module whereas the SA qualification includes healthcare policy development.

    Country: Ireland.
    Institution: The University of Limerick.
    Qualification Title: Master of Science (MSc) in Nursing (Perioperative Care).
    Credits: 90 credits.
    Duration: 2 years part-time.
    Entry Requirements:
  • Full degree transcript and certificates/awards.
    And
  • A registered nurse on the current register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.
    And
  • Be engaged in practice as a registered nurse for at least one year.

    Purpose:
    The overall aim of the qualification is to provide registered nurses with the opportunity to enhance previously acquired professional education and develop critical inquiry, knowledge, skills, attributes and competencies in preparation for developing roles within nursing.

    Successful completion of year 1 (Graduate Diploma) will provide learners with the academic qualifications necessary to be considered for Clinical Nurse Specialist posts. Successful completion of year 2 (MSc) will provide learners with the academic qualifications to be considered for Advanced Nursing Practice posts.

    The qualification provides opportunities to explore research as evidence for enhancing and changing practice. The qualification will develop professional qualities and a high level of competence in the promotion of excellence and current best practices in the delivery and appraisal of advancing practice.

    On completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Critically examine best practices in meeting the perioperative care needs of the surgical patient.
  • Critically evaluate philosophical concepts and evidence underpinning perioperative care.
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of contemporary nursing skills in the assessment and management of patients in a perioperative environment.
  • Apply critical thinking skills and ethical decision-making required for advancing practice.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in written, verbal, and digital communication skills, at individual and collaborative levels.
  • Critically examine the value of multidisciplinary collaboration in the provision of safe and quality evidenced-based perioperative care.
  • Critically review current innovations and developments in leading and managing change in perioperative practice.
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the research process.
  • Demonstrate commitment to life-long learning while fostering self-development and self-evaluation.

    Qualification structure:
    The 90-credit MSc in Nursing (Perioperative Care) consists of six modules in Year One (60 credits) and one research dissertation in Year 2 (30 credits). In year one learners undertake two theory modules in each semester, (one specialist module in perioperative care and one core module) as well as one clinical practicum module in semesters one and two, a total of six modules in year one of the programme.

    As part of the clinical practicum modules learners are required to fulfil 500 hours of clinical practice time over the two semesters in year one, in addition to successfully completing specialist perioperative care competencies. Learners are required to attend university for a total of 13 days in year one, one introductory day and 6 days lectures in the Autumn and Spring semesters. In year two learners will be required to complete a small-scale research project, a systematic review, or a practice-based enquiry within a supported framework. Learners will be required to attend for one introductory day in the Autumn semester of year 2. They will be assigned an academic supervisor and will meet as required with the supervisor during the completion of year 2.

    Year 1:
  • Health Research Methods - Methodology, 12 credits.
  • Theoretical Principles of Perioperative Nursing, 9 credits.
  • Clinical Practicum 1, 9 credits.
  • Promoting Quality and Safety in Healthcare, 12 credits.
  • Managing and Co-ordinating Perioperative Nursing, 9 credits.
  • Clinical Practicum 2, 9 credits.

    Year 2:
  • Dissertation 1, 9 credits.
  • Dissertation 2, 21 credits.

    Master's degree where exit after year 1 leads to a Graduate Diploma in Perioperative Nursing Care and recognition as a clinical nurse specialist. The qualification covers outcomes such as: "research as evidence for enhancing and changing practice, opportunities for nurses to develop critical thinking and reflective skills at specialist and advanced practice levels".

    Similarities:
    The University of Limerick (UL) qualification is offered over two years of which one year is offered over one year similar to the South African (SA) qualifications.
  • The (UL) and the SA qualifications require a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and proof of registration with the country's nursing regulation body.
  • Both qualifications provide opportunities for nurses to develop critical thinking and reflective skills as perioperative nurse specialists in advancing perioperative practice.
  • Both qualifications share similar learning outcomes.
  • Both qualifications lead to a Master of Nursing Science (Perioperative Nursing).

    Differences:
  • The UL qualification is offered as a Master's degree, but the Graduate Diploma in Nursing (Perioperative Care) is incorporated whereas the SA qualification is separate from a Master's degree.
  • The UL qualification has 90 credits while the SA qualification has 120 credits. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Nursing Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing and Health Services Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Education, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Medicine, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Operation Theatre Nursing, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Nursing Science in Operating Room, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Health Sciences in Nursing, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing in Critical Care and Trauma, NQF Level 9.

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

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A. 

    NOTES 
    N/A. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Life Healthcare Group (prev College of Learning/Afrox Coll 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.