SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Higher Certificate in Nursing

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
123828	Higher Certificate in Nursing
ORIGINATOR
Esda Nursing Education Institute NPC
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate	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 05	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0329/25	2025-02-04	2028-02-04
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-02-04		2032-02-04

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 replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
99330	Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	120	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The Higher Certificate in Nursing will enable the learner to function as a clinically focused, service-orientated, independent Registered Nurse, who can render nursing care as determined by the appropriate legislative framework. The qualification will provide a basis for decision-making about what is within and beyond the defined scope of practice, as well as an understanding of the referral system in place for anything outside of the scope of practice. The learner will apply evidence-based nursing practice, which is based on research or established practices that have proven to be effective both nationally and internationally within the profession.

The qualification is designed to meet the health care delivery needs of the country, specifically the disease profile of the nation. The focus is on preparing competent graduates who are accountable, self-aware, adaptable, and capable of effectively functioning in the local, national, and international health sector. These attributes will be developed through raising learners' awareness and a critical understanding of socio-cultural, political, and economic determinants of health and illness and health service delivery in the country.

The qualification aims to:

Produce high-quality candidates who are competent nursing practitioners in a range of health service settings.

Provide Registered Nurses with a range of skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to health services.

Equip candidates with a developed sense of equity, justice and service ethics that will ensure that they work in an accountable manner, irrespective of their chosen workplace.

Offer a wide range of transferable skills for application in other professions, disciplines, and general life. These include:
> A methodical, solution-based approach to problem-solving.
> An empowerment strengths-based approach to personal development.
> Competence in written and oral communication.
> Capacity to assess and implement health and other policies.
> Ability to plan, implement and manage projects of a varied nature.
> Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

The learner who completes this qualification will be able to:

Apply basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biophysics, pharmacology, and microbiology in the provision of nursing care.

Apply communication effectively in a variety of ways in a nursing context.

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for individuals and groups with stable, uncomplicated health problems based on thorough assessment in various healthcare settings.

Appropriately communicate and interact sensitively and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds.

Maintain professionalism in the practice of nursing within the ethical and legal framework.

Participate in addressing the needs of individuals and groups in a community.

On successful completion of this qualification, the learner is eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Registered Nurse.

Rationale:
The Strategic Plan for Nurse Education, Training and Practice 2012/13 - 2016/17 according to Strategic Priority 7 on Human Resources for Health states that a model must developed by 2014 which provides information on the future supply of nurses for the public and private sectors, for hospitals, primary health care (PHC) and Non-Governmental Organisations including the new auxiliary nurse category. With PHC re-engineering in mind as stated in the Healthcare 2030: Department of Health, the Nurse will form part of community outreach teams, working with other healthcare professionals within the community and at the clinic to provide basic care to persons with stable and uncomplicated general health problems in a PHC setting. Auxiliary Nurses will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the National Health Insurance plan (NHI) and the re-engineering of Primary Healthcare Services. The Nurses of the PHC outreach team will provide health services at a PHC clinic for the estimated 1500 families for whom they are responsible as part of the PHC team. Using a normative approach on average there will be three PHC teams based in a facility that will have a catchment population of around 18,000 people.

These nurses will be able to significantly contribute to the current challenges experienced such as South Africa's quadruple burden of disease as well as meeting the healthcare needs of communities in the face of the ongoing shortage of skilled and competent healthcare professionals. The qualification will equip them with a range of knowledge, skills, and attitudes to practice according to their professional, ethical, and legal frameworks. The qualification also aims to contribute to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals as determined by the United Nations. The qualification will produce high-quality Registered Nurses who are competent nursing practitioners who can function in an accountable manner as part of a team.

The qualification will equip the learners with skills, knowledge, and attitudes to apply evidence-based nursing practice in a variety of healthcare settings to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to health services in South Africa. It is essential to have a registered nurse who has had a broader education and training in the primary health care approach to health care as envisaged in this new qualification. The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with fundamental principles, concepts, disciplinary knowledge, and practice-based skills to provide basic nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings within the relevant legal and ethical parameters. In addition to the professional component the focus is also on the content and the curriculum studies to ensure quality nursing care in the psycho-social context.

This qualification will address elementary nursing care to the broader South African population. The qualification will prepare nurses to offer quality patient care to meet the burden of disease using the scientific approach to nursing care. This care is delivered at all stages of the life span and in all health care settings. The qualification will ensure that the learner has attained a basic level of higher education knowledge and competence in nursing and can apply such knowledge and competence in safe professional practice.
The qualification serves to provide learners with the basic knowledge, affective, cognitive, and conceptual tools, and practical techniques to meet the burden of disease in the country and engage in further studies in nursing. Recipients of this qualification will be eligible to register with the SANC as a Nurse who will be responsible for her/his own acts and omissions with respect to the scope of practice regulating this cadre of nurses. These nurses will perform hospital, clinic, and community-based services.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

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

RPL for access

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

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

RPL for exemption of modules:

Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. 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:

National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
Or

National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
Or

Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 without endorsement.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits:

Bio-Medical Sciences and Pharmacology, 16 Credits

Effective Communication, 4 Credits

Basic Nursing Care, 66 Credits

Trans-Cultural Nursing, 4 Credits

Professionalism and Ethics, 6 Credits

Basic Community Nursing, 24 Credits

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate the ability to apply basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biophysics, pharmacology, and microbiology in the provision of nursing care.
2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in a variety of ways in a nursing context.
3. Use the scientific nursing approach to address the basic needs of individuals and groups in various healthcare settings.
4. Demonstrate appropriate methods of interacting sensitively and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds.
5. Maintain professionalism in nursing practice within the ethical and legal framework.
6. Participate in addressing the needs of individuals and groups in a community.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Analyse and apply macroscopic and microscopic body structure and function to the nursing care provided within the relevant scope of practice.

Apply physiology to nursing care provided within the relevant scope of practice.

Adhere to a professional code of conduct in the provision of nursing care.

Deliver safe and professional clinical nursing care to patients through their life span within a legal framework by applying biophysics, biochemistry and microbiology as applied to health sciences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Execute the theoretical and practical knowledge of the basic principles of communication in the nursing context.

Describe the interrelatedness of communication systems, hierarchical structures, forms of address and means of communication in professional communication.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Implement individual and/or group health care plans across the health-illness continuum to address their basic needs within the multi-disciplinary approach.

Interpret data from continuous monitoring to inform nursing interventions.

Deliver appropriate emergency care in respect of the treatment of injuries and accidents and apply basic life support.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Provide a professional sensitive, safe and therapeutic environment for the individuals, families and communities from diverse backgrounds.

Demonstrate an understanding of nursing practice in the multi-cultural milieu context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Practice scientific recordkeeping complying with legal criteria.

Adhere to the South African Nursing Council`s guidelines and ethical principles related to the nursing profession.

Discuss legislative, ethical aspects and regulatory requirements of health care in South Africa.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Apply a scientific approach to health in the community, inclusive of promotion, prevention, early detection, and appropriate rehabilitation of diseases/disorders most prevalent in South Africa.

Render basic first aid.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Many countries have not generated first-level health workers full qualification. However, the qualification is recognised in the Southern African Development Council (SADC) region and throughout Sub-Saharan Africa as well as other third and first-world countries because it is recognized by the South African Nursing Council.

South Africa has been an active member of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) for many decades. The South African qualification is designed in line with the competencies as described by the ICN with regard to accountability, ethical and legal practice, patient care provision, promotion of health, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care, communication and interpersonal skills, leadership and management, environmental safety, inter-professional collaboration, enhancement of the nursing profession, quality improvement and continuous professional development (ICN, 2008).

The South African qualification is comparable to the following international qualifications:

Country: United States of America
Institution: Compass Career College
Qualification Title: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN
Duration: One year full-time
Entry Requirements:

A secondary school certificate.

Purpose/Rationale:
The Nurse Aide training program is designed to prepare learners for certification as a Nurse Aide. Learners undergo clinical and theoretical learning. After graduation, the learner can apply for entry-level positions as a Nurse Aide in long-term care for example in a nursing home, home health, rehabilitation units, skilled nursing units and hospitals.
These graduates will work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse. LPN/LVN qualifications are offered at many colleges throughout the United States. An LVN/LPN nurse provides basic patient care for example taking vital signs and monitoring patients.

Similarities:

The Compass Career College (CCC) and the South African (SA) qualifications are offered over one year full-time.

Both qualifications accept learners who completed the secondary school qualifications.

The CCC qualification is designed to prepare learners for certification as a Nurse Aide, similar to learners completing SA qualification are legible to registered as Auxiliary Nurses.

Graduates from CCC and SA qualifications will work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse

Learners undergo clinical and theoretical learning in both qualifications. After graduation, the learner can apply for entry-level positions as a Nurse Aide /Auxiliary Nurse in long-term care for example in a nursing home, home health, rehabilitation units, skilled nursing units and hospitals.

Differences:

The state requires an LPN to pass a national licensing exam for state certification following training completion while SA qualification does not include licensing examinations but a learner who completed a nursing qualification will register with the South African Nursing Council (SANC).

The CCC qualification intends to equip learners with referral knowledge and skills as well as the application of nursing care for example to mental health and social service needs whereas the SA qualification focuses on comprehensive care regarding the delivery of appropriate emergency care and the application of first aid principles when treating injuries and accidents.

The CCC qualification consists of 100 hours with equal distribution of theory and work-integrated learning, 50: 50, while the SA qualification has a 30:70 theory and work-integrated learning distribution with a total of 1200 hours (120 credits) of which 720 hours is work-integrated learning.

The CCC qualification consists of Nursing 1 and Nursing 2 compulsory while the SA qualification has a comprehensive subject structure which includes:

Biological Science.

Community Healthcare.

Basic Nursing Care.

First Aid and Nursing Ethos.

Professional Practice.

Country: United Kingdom
Institution: John Academy College
Qualification Title: Diploma in Nursing Assistant
NQF Level: RQF Level 3 - EQF Level 4
Credits: 20 units
Duration: 12 months
Entry requirements:

This qualification is available to all learners, of all academic backgrounds.

Learners should be aged 16 or over to undertake the qualification.

Good understanding of English language, numeracy and ICT are required.

Purpose:
The Diploma in Nursing Assistant focuses on the discovery of diseases and the functionalities of a nurse.

Learning Outcomes:

Learn the requirements for every healthcare setting and the nursing staff therein

Understand all the legal, practical, and ethical responsibilities of a Nursing Assistant

Know how to communicate efficiently with patients and staff

Become fully aware of all the necessary health and safety protocols for nursing

Acquire the ability to perform valuable infection control in an emergency

Be able to practise rest and sleep management on patients

Gain an acute understanding of nutrition and fluid requirements for patients

Show the ability to perform essential medical practices like Oxygenation and the like

Qualification structure:
The qualification consists of the following compulsory Modules:

Introduction to Nursing comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Working in Different Healthcare Settings comparable to Trans Cultural Nursing.

Legal, Standards and Professional Aspects of Ethical Practice: Part: 1 comparable to Professionalism and Ethics.

Legal, Standards and Professional Aspects of Ethical Practice: Part: 2 comparable to Professionalism and Ethics.

Effective Communication in Nursing comparable to Effective Communication.

Health and Safety in Nursing comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Hygiene in Nursing comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Infection Control comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Asepsis in Nursing comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Medication Administration in Nursing comparable to Bio Medical Sciences and Pharmacology and Basic Nursing Care.

Understanding the Immune System in Nursing. comparable to Bio Medical Sciences and Pharmacology and Basic Nursing Care.

Rest and Sleep Management in Nursing comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Mobility and Immobility Issues of Patients comparable to Basic Nursing Care

Pain Management for Nurses comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Nutrition in Nursing comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Fluid and Electrolyte Balance comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Assisting with Elimination comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Oxygenation in Nursing comparable to Basic Nursing Care.

Similarities:

The John Academy College (JAC) and the South African (SA) qualifications are offered in one year.

Both qualifications are appropriate for those planning to work in nursing and patient care.

The JAC and the SA qualifications are intended for learners who want to become nursing assistants, patient care assistants and care workers.

Differences:

The JAC qualification is registered at Level 3 an equivalent of EQF Level 4 with 20 units while the SA qualification is registered at NQF Level 5 with 120 credits.

The SA qualification requires applicants who completed the National Senior Certificate or equivalent qualification while the JAC qualification is available to all learners, of all academic backgrounds.

Country: Australia
Institution: Victoria University
Qualification Title: Diploma in Nursing
Duration: Two-year qualification
Entry requirements:

All applicants must be a Year 12 or equivalent and must meet the English language skills registration standard requirements of Australia's Nursing and Midwifery Board. Proof of English language competency must be provided.

Purpose:
The Diploma in Nursing offers comprehensive training for aspiring nurses, combining theory with practical experience. This qualification includes foundational knowledge in patient care, skills in clinical settings, and ongoing assessments to ensure proficiency and readiness for the healthcare environment.

Qualification structure:
The curriculum content includes topics such as medication administration, anatomy and physiology, infection control, intravenous injections, and general nursing. Work-integrated learning will include 400 hours of four separate practical placements in urban or regional areas.

Similarities:

The Victoria University (VU) and the South African (SA) qualifications require applicants who completed a Year 12 or equivalent and must meet the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's English language skills registration standard similar to the SANC entry requirement in the SA qualification.

The VU and SA qualifications provide the foundational skills and knowledge to work as a nurse in the dynamic healthcare industry to provide acute, preventative, curative, and rehabilitative care under the direction of a registered nurse

Differences:

The VU qualification is two years while the SA qualification is one year.

The SA qualification consists of 720 work-integrated learning hours which is more than the 400 hours of this two-year qualification whereas the structure for the VU qualification consists of twenty-five units of competency which include twenty compulsory units and five elective units, of which: at least three units from the electives listed within the Diploma of Nursing qualification and up to two units from any endorsed training package or accredited course, these units must be relevant to the work outcome, whereas the SA qualification consists of five compulsory modules with 120 credits and no electives.

After successful completion of the VU qualification, qualifying learners can apply for registration as an Enrolled Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Authority whereas the qualifying learners' SA qualification is legible for registration as Nurses with the SANC.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing, NQF Level 5.

Higher Certificate in Emergency Medical Care, NQF Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

Diploma in Nursing, NQF Level 6.

Diploma in Nursing Science, NQF Level 6.

Diploma in Nursing Administration, NQF Level 6.

Diploma in Community Nursing Science, NQF Level 6.

Bachelor of Nursing in Education and Administration, NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Nursing Science in Education, Management and Community, NQF Level 7.

Diagonal Articulation
There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

NOTES

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LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.

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PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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