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 Emergency Nursing

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
125054	Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing
ORIGINATOR
MEDICLINIC (Pty) Ltd
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 0836/25	2025-11-13	2028-11-13
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-11-13		2032-11-13

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 qualification objectives are to provide Registered General and Professional Nurses who wish to remain in a clinical context with a career path, as well as specialised and managerial skills. These nurses will focus on emergency nursing care, thereby enhancing their depth of knowledge and skills. Nurses pursuing this qualification will become experts in emergency nursing care, enabling them to manage the emergency unit with expert knowledge. These specialist nurses will provide specialised and comprehensive emergency nursing care.

The purpose of this qualification is to provide:

Registered General / Professional Nurses with a career path.

To provide the General / Professional Nurses with specialised and managerial skills.

To equip them to provide an acute healthcare delivery service in the Emergency Department. These nurses will focus on one area, which will add to their depth of knowledge and skills to become experts in providing specialised nursing care in the Emergency department.

Reduce the shortage of emergency care nurses in South Africa.

Rationale:
South Africa, like many other countries, has identified an urgent need to address nursing shortages in emergency units. This shortage of emergency nurses is being experienced in both private and public healthcare institutions. Individuals intending to study for an emergency nursing qualification are also currently experiencing the challenge of this qualification not being readily available to them at tertiary institutions. Thus, both the critical shortage of emergency nursing care nurses and the lack of this qualification have led to a need for private training. This qualification enables learners to function as service-oriented, independent specialists, capable of providing emergency nursing care as outlined in the relevant legislative framework.

This qualification is also suitable for the public sector, as it equips learners with the necessary knowledge and skills required for practical application in emergency units. This qualification also enables registered professional and general nurses with a qualification to be competent in working in the emergency unit, where there is a critical shortage of specialist nurses.

This qualification prepares the qualifying learner as a specialist nurse who will be able to meet the country's service delivery needs. Specialist nurses with this qualification will be able to make a significant contribution to the current state of human resources in healthcare in South Africa, considering the country's historical context and the shortage of specialist nurses in emergency units. The practice of emergency nursing care is focused on specialised and comprehensive emergency nursing care.

This qualification is suitable for:

Registered General and Professional Nurses wishing to work as a specialist nurse as part of a multidisciplinary team in an emergency care unit setting.

Nurses with the potential to become managers of the emergency unit where specialised and comprehensive emergency care is provided.

The qualifying learner will be eligible for registration as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Emergency Nursing with the South African Nursing Council.

The qualification will also benefit the learner as he/she will be a sought-after specialised emergency care nurse. Society will benefit because of:

The specialist providing care to patients of all ages will receive care in the Emergency Department.

Registered general/professional nurses of all ages, genders, and races will be allowed to better their careers.

An advantage to the economy is that skilled nurses will be able to work in the Emergency Departments of private and public sectors.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be granted in accordance with the specific institutional requirements/policy and procedure, in agreement with the relevant Statutory Quality Council. The application for RPL must be in writing to the institution.

RPL access to the qualification is open, conditional on the minimum admission requirements, learning assumed to be in place, and learner access to a facility that will enable clinical practice to take place under recognised supervision. Evidence may be presented in a variety of forms, including previous international or local qualifications, reports, testimonials, mentoring, a well-structured and credible Portfolio of Evidence (PoE), work records, and performance appraisals. Only a learner whose prior learning has been assessed and validated by means of a well-structured and credible Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) may be granted RPL to access the qualification.

RPL for exemption:
A maximum of 10% of a cohort of learners, per intake, will be admitted through an RPL process, and the learning outcomes will be equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor's or Diploma in Nursing (R425), NQF Level 7.
Or

Advanced Diploma in Critical Care Nursing, NQF Level 7.
Or

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

Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery (R174), NQF Level 7.
Or

Diploma in General Nursing Science (R683) and Diploma in Midwifery (R254) / Advanced Diploma in Midwifery (R1497), NQF Level 7.
Or

Diploma in Nursing (R171) and Advanced Diploma in Midwifery (R1497), NQF Level 7.
And

Registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a General Nurse with Midwifery or a professional Nurse and Midwife.
Relevant clinical experience:

Two years' post-basic experience as a Professional Nurse or General Nurse and Midwife (includes Community Services Year).

At least one year of experience in the field of the speciality within the last five years (excludes the Community Service Year).

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

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 Practice, 8 Credits.

Professional Practice, 8 Credits.

Specialist Unit Management, 8 Credits.

Emergency Nursing, 96 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Practice and facilitate specialist nursing within the ethical-legal parameters of the decision-making and moral reasoning models.
2. Apply the knowledge of basic research methodology in the appraisal of articles in the specialist field and facilitate evidence-based practice in the specialist field to solve contextual problems and develop policies and guidelines.
3. Appraise and develop self, peers, and nurse specialist learners by facilitating self-directed leadership and lifelong learning.
4. Facilitate advocacy for the profession and provision of specialist professional support for personnel, patients or clients, families and communities.
5. Engage in planning, commissioning, and managing a specialist unit.
6. Engage in scholarly activities to inform evidence-based practice.
7. Utilise, manage, and communicate data to support decision-making and research.
8. Render and coordinate patient-centred specialist nursing within a continuum of care using the scientific approach, integrating biomedical and psychosocial sciences, including advanced pharmacology.
9. Mobilises appropriate resources to implement standards of practice relevant to the area of specialisation, to ensure quality patient care and safety.
10. Collaborate within the inter-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision-making, and sound clinical judgment.
11. Participate in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing policies, programmes, and projects.
12. Develop and implement institutional policies, protocols, and guidelines for specialisation, utilising the process of change management in the improvement of quality of care.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Personal attributes and behaviour demonstrate conformity to the relevant code of ethics in the practice of specialist nursing.

Use critical decision-making and moral reasoning models and principles to make clinical judgements and resolve ethical dilemmas within Emergency Nursing."

Become accountable for own professional judgement, actions, outcomes of specialist care, nursing education, or demonstrate health services management provided and continued competence.

The relevant current legislation, policies, protocols, regulations, directives, and guidelines about specialist practice and applied in the Emergency Department."

Document all care activities accurately, comprehensively and timeously, considering the legal requirements for record keeping."

Demonstrate knowledge of the nurse specialist role in the management of Professional misconduct and risks, taking into consideration the institutional protocols, protocols, and ethical-legal framework."

The professional, ethical, and legal frameworks guide the practice of the Emergency Nursing Specialist."

Practice and facilitate advocacy for the rights and best interests of the patient.

Ethical codes, professional accountability, responsibility, confidentiality, and standards for the practice of patient care in the various specialties.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Engage in specialist practice, demonstrate understanding of and the process of evidence-based practice.

Apply evidence-based specialist practice that takes into consideration the appropriate methodology of gathering evidence for practice, education, and management, for example, systematic or scoping reviews, and appraisal of articles, practice-based research, and publication.

Use evidence-based practice, nursing education, and health service management to demonstrate knowledge of and critical analysis of the various levels of evidence.

Integrate evidence-based practice of research findings for safe, effective, and efficient practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

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, demonstrating understanding of the purpose and processes of the performance management and development system.

Utilise feedback gained from self-reflection, peers, learners, and management to improve effectiveness in the specialist role.

Discuss the various risk factors that impact health and wellness within the workplace and apply strategies to care for self, peers, employees, and learners.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Discuss the purpose of the advocacy role for a nurse specialist practice.

Apply advocacy principles to ensure safe and quality care in various healthcare settings.

Apply appropriate communication skills and channels in facilitating advocacy.

Lobby and or participate in interest groups to influence legislation and policy affecting role performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Explore levels and/or classification of the respective specialist units.

Commission task taking into consideration the burden of diseases and priority services as determined by current events.

Participate in the evaluation of the existing specialist unit and demonstrate knowledge of guidelines for provisioning a specialist unit.

Engage in planning and commissioning to demonstrate understanding of the role and responsibilities in this task within the inter- and intra-professional team.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Practice in the respective specialisations to demonstrate knowledge of appropriate search engines and databases for review of literature to inform evidence-based practice.

Use appropriate methods to generate evidence for utilisation in specialist practice (e.g., research, systematic reviews, etc.).

Demonstrate awareness of the peer-reviewed journals and use for sharing evidence.

Base activities in the specialist practice, education, and health services management on scientifically proven evidence.

Actively participate in inter- and intra-professional dialogues, debates, or discourses in quality improvement.

Appraise research articles in the field of the specialist field through the application of basic knowledge of research methodology.

Accurately differentiate qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method research designs.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Document all data/information gathered in the context of the specialist practice for utilisation and storage in accordance with the set standards.

Use comprehensive data, information, and emerging evidence pertinent to the respective specialist practice.

Based on Problem identification, diagnoses, and opportunities for improvement on gathered and critically analysed assessment data from the patients/clients, families, communities, learners, or employees, including current scientific evidence.

Documentation demonstrates respect for intellectual property and is without plagiarism.

Demonstrate academic writing skills in research reports.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Demonstrate an understanding of the position of own specialist service within the health care system.

Conversant with the nurse or midwife specialist with the full range of services within the specialist area of practice.

Render specialist care to integrate promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care in a healthcare continuum.

Apply knowledge, skill, and attitudes in rendering specialist care in accordance with national and international standards and protocols of the specialist field."

Formulate nursing or midwifery diagnoses that are congruent with the patient's/client's clinical manifestations/data and are based on accurate analysis and interpretation of data obtained from scientific, laboratory, diagnostic, technological, and psycho-sociocultural assessment, including consultation of relevant/current literature/evidence.

Individualise planned nursing or midwifery interventions considering patients'/clients' needs, values, beliefs, preferences, culture and contextual variables, for example, disease burden, health risks, national priorities, etc.

Base planned nursing or midwifery interventions on formulated nursing diagnoses, and application of specialised knowledge and skills (competencies), including advanced pharmacology in collaboration with the inter- and intra-professional team.

Implement planned nursing or midwifery interventions timeously, accurately, safely, and effectively in accordance with set evidence-based standards, guidelines, protocols, algorithms, etc., specific to the specialist field.

Plan health care interventions in collaboration with the patient or client, family, and relevant members of the health care team."

Apply nursing or midwifery interventions, including preparation of patients/clients, families, and nurses in the lower-level care for continued care in the hospital and community in accordance with the health status and health literacy of the patient/client.

Document and revise nursing or midwifery interventions timeously and effectively based on critical analysis of the monitoring and evaluation data and reaching a sound clinical judgement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

Identify the infrastructure and equipment needed in the specific area of specialisation.

Render care to demonstrate the ability to operate 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 nursing care taking into consideration the specialist qualification and its competencies, experience, 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.

Sought, appropriately provide, and timeously consult in the provision of holistic care in a healthcare continuum through awareness of one's competence.

Carry out patient referrals appropriately and timeously as dictated by the patient's condition and in accordance with the referral guidelines.

Participate in the inter- and intra-professional team is promoted, visible, and recognised by the members of the team.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:

Participate in the development of policies, programmes, and projects demonstrating understanding of the steps in and/or levels of the development of policies, programmes, and projects.

Participate in project and policy development demonstrates knowledge of own role and responsibilities within the inter- and intra-professional policy/project team.

Participate in policy development, programme and project development, demonstrates advocacy for the nursing profession and patients/clients, families and communities in the specialist area.

Participate in project development includes appropriate communication (negotiation, bargaining, assertiveness, persuasion, etc.).

Provide timely and adequate feedback to relevant stakeholders as necessary.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:

Examine the process and or steps of development of policies, standards, guidelines, and protocols.

Involve the relevant and pre-determined stakeholders in the process of development of policies, standards, protocols, and guidelines.

Use the appropriate methods in the process of development and evaluation, or testing guidelines and protocols.

Implement the new policies, protocols, and guidelines in the specialist area, demonstrating understanding and application of the change process.

Collaboratively revise developed policies, protocols, and guidelines at appropriate intervals and approve as per the institutional policy for the specialist area.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
Assessments will be formative and summative, as specified. Formative assessments will take the form of assignments, tests, examinations, case studies, etc., and clinical assessments. Clinical assessments will include cognitive, psychomotor, and affective aspects.
Integrated assessment comprises both formative and summative assessment, including Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

Formative assessment:

Patient case study/presentation

Written assignments

Demonstrations

Clinical assessments

Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)/workbook

Tests

Oral presentations by individuals and project teams

Direct observation in simulation and clinical environment (practice procedures under supervision)

Summative assessment:

Written and oral examinations, as well as projects

Practical examination

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

Projects and evidence of involvement in a research project and posters

Portfolios of Evidence (PoE) / workbook

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY
The Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing was compared with similar qualifications offered in Dublin and Australia.

Country: Ireland
Institution: RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing
Credits: 60 credits
Level: Level 9 award on the Irish NQF
Duration: one year full-time

Entry requirements:

Registration with the professional body as a registered general nurse.

NQF Level 8 qualification.

Current employment in the Emergency Unit.

Purpose/Rationale:
This qualification is offered to Registered General Nurses who wish to work in the Emergency Unit. The qualification allows them to gain experience in the emergency care of patients with a variety of complex needs. The learners are taught to triage, deliver assessments and treatments, as well as manage patients with chest pain and those with neurological, ENT, renal, vascular, and urological problems. Enhance a learner's clinical practice by developing an in-depth knowledge related to core concepts of the emergency department and care of the patient with acute medical conditions, as well as surgical and trauma presentations. Through the development of key research skills, the learner will be supported to explore evidence supporting safer patient care in this setting and emerging trends in this area.

The qualification comprises six modules:

Advanced research methods

Advanced Leadership

Professional critical reflexivity and competence

Concepts of emergency care

Acute medical, surgical, and trauma emergency nursing

Consolidating and advancing practice in emergency nursing

The qualification provides learners with the skills and knowledge to:

Demonstrate a critical understanding of a comprehensive range of knowledge in emergency nursing.

Articulate a critical awareness of the latest evidence-based knowledge in the specialist area.

Demonstrate a range of research and specialist knowledge and skills in the specialist area of clinical practice.

Select from a broad range of specialist skills and knowledge in the specialist area.

Act in a comprehensive and often unpredictable variety of professional and ill-defined contexts in the specialist area.

Similarities:

The RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and South Africa are offered in one year full-time.

The RCSI and SA qualifications consist of compulsory modules.

Both qualifications lead to a master's degree in emergency nursing and related fields.

Differences:

The RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is registered on NQF Level 9, whereas the South African qualification is registered on the NQF Level 8.

The Ireland qualification has 60 credits while the SA qualification has 120 Credits.

Country: Australia
Institution: The Flinders University
Qualification Title: Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing
Duration: One year part-time
Entry requirements:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Nursing from an approved tertiary institution.

Active registration as a registered nurse (RN) with the Australian Health Regulation Agency.

Minimum of 0.60 full-time employment in the Emergency Department.

Purpose/Rationale:
The purpose of this qualification is to facilitate the development of advanced knowledge and skills in a range of specialist areas of nursing. The qualification focuses on emergency care principles, emergency presentations, and key aspects of emergency patient care. It enables the qualified learner to evaluate and administer nursing care to critically ill patients with acute illnesses, diseases, and traumatic conditions. It furthermore supports the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills.

On completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:

Assess complex issues underpinning specialist areas of nursing practice.

Critically analyse the concepts and theories underpinning specialist nursing practice.

Integrate knowledge and skills associated with specialist areas of nursing.

Modules:

Primary Health Care Constructs and Contexts.

Diabetes Management.

Foundations for Responding to Clinical Deterioration Across the Lifespan

Dimensions of Emergency Nursing.

Contemporary Issues in Paediatric Nursing.

The 3 Ds: Dementia, Delirium, and Depression.

Managing High Acuity Care.

Introduction to Mental Health, Mental Illness and Well-being.

Rehabilitation Nursing.

Similarities:

The South African (SA) qualification has similar entry requirements, focus, content, and exit level outcomes to the Flinders University (FU) qualification.

The Australian and the SA qualifications consist of compulsory modules.

Both qualifications lead to a master's degree in emergency nursing and related fields.

Both qualifications require applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree in emergency nursing or related fields.

Differences:

The Credits and Level of the Australian qualifications are not specified, whereas the South African qualification has 120 Credits and is on NQF Level 8.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing was compared with similar qualifications offered in Dublin and Australia.

Country: Ireland
Institution: RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing
Credits: 60 credits
Level: Level 9 award on the Irish NQF
Duration: one year full-time

Entry requirements: