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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Postgraduate Diploma: Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
66509  Postgraduate Diploma: Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
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  130  Level 7  Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2018-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31   2022-12-31  

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 Career-focused Postgraduate Diploma provides an intensive, focused and applied specialisation in areas identified by the Western Cape Provincial Government as crucial areas of need, in particular Intensive Care Nursing (Adult and Child), Advanced Midwifery, Ophthalmic Nursing and Dermatology Nursing. Currently UCT is the only institution in the country offering training for the SANC accredited programme in intensive care nursing of the child. In addition, the qualification provides an opportunity for further postgraduate study. Learners will have the capacity to apply high-level academic, clinical and management skills as well as comprehensive and systematic knowledge in specialised fields of nursing.

The Post Graduate Diploma in Nursing will qualify successful candidates for registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) in the following areas of specialization:
  • Health and Nursing Service Management.
  • Nursing Education.
  • Advanced Midwifery.
  • Ophthalmic Nursing.
  • Child Nursing.
  • Child ICU Nursing.
  • Adult ICU Nursing.
  • Dermatology Nursing.
  • Forensic Nursing.

    Rationale for the qualification:

    There is an increasing demand in this country for nurses trained in management, ophthalmology, paediatrics, intensive care of the child, intensive care of the adult etc. The need for dermatology-trained nurses is particularly important due to the cost-effectiveness benefits derived from the Primary Health Care approach suited for home care conditions. The special skills required by nurses in the management of forensic casualties require preparation at a level higher than that of pre-registration education. Currently, most dermatology nurse training is offered on ad hoc basis without any formal recognition of the qualification and therefore no career path.

    The opportunities for professional development by nurses on full time employment in the region will be maximised by offering full and part-time options.

    The programme is designed to make a significant contribution to redress the needs of a previously disadvantaged group of professional nurses by offering them access to study at a residential university. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Basic methods and skills for gathering and managing information, numeracy skills computer orientation, use of the library and sourcing material.
  • Sufficiently developed personal and professional communication skills (both verbal and written) within a variety of health care related contexts.
  • Ability to integrate theory and clinical practice in situations requiring advanced clinical judgement.
  • Knowledge of the common operational and medical legal policies applicable to nursing practice.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    The SA Nursing Council is also the ETQA for the nursing and midwifery professions and requires that specialization follows a basic qualification, therefore it is expected that there is completion of all the pre-registration unit standards from A to and including G, at Levels 5, 6 and 7 i.e the four year diploma or degree in accordance with South African Nursing Council (SANC) regulation R425; and Registration with SANC as a registered nurse. In the case of a student selecting a clinical pathway, e.g. Child Nursing, Advanced Midwifery, Critical Care Nursing, etc which leads to registration of an additional qualification with the SANC, 2 years clinical experience in the specified field of nursing or midwifery makes them eligible for entry into the programme.

    Pre-testing accredited by the ETQA (South African Nursing Council) will apply where appropriate and will be linked with exit level outcomes.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for learners who do not comply with the entry requirements of 480 credits at NQF Level 7.

    Credit will be given in recognition of prior learning for specific modules/courses successfully completed at any other Higher Education Institution and South African accredited Nursing Education Institution.

    A successfully completed research project which culminated in a published scientific report (in an accredited journal).

    The successful completion of the post-basic diploma in Nursing Administration/Health Care and Nursing Services Management; Nursing Education accompanied by working experience in that field will be recognised for credit/exemption purposes of nursing management and nursing education related modules respectively.

    Access to the qualification:

    Applicants for admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing are required to have:
  • An appropriate undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification from this University or another university recognised by Senate for the purpose.
  • A four-year diploma or degree in accordance with the SANC regulation R425.
  • Registration with the South African Nursing Council as registered nurse.
  • 2 years clinical experience in Nursing (in a specific field) or midwifery, in the case of a student selecting a clinical pathway (e.g. Child Nursing, Advanced Midwifery, Intensive care nursing etc.), which leads to an additional qualification with the SANC.
  • Senior certificate with Matriculation exemption or equivalent university admission qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Minimum. Vary according to the nature of the pathway.

    Qualification; NQF Level; Fundamental; Core; Total.
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Nursing; 7; 60; 70*; 130. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    Graduates will be able to:

    1. dentify and solve problems.

    2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community.

    3. Oganising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

    4 Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information.

    5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.

    6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others.

    7. Show an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that contexts do not exist in isolation.

    8. Commitment to life-long learning.

    General Outcomes:

    Graduates of the programme are able to:

    1. Undertake exploratory investigations of trends and processes in health care provision locally, nationally and globally.

    2. Identify, plan and manage issues pertaining to health care at institutional, organizational and community levels.

    3. Formulate appropriate intervention strategies or programmes of action to address specific issues and/or achieve identified goals in the provision of various forms of health care.

    4. Participate effectively in decision-and policy-making activities and provide reliable advice.

    5. Appreciate the power and responsibility of exercising professional judgment or expertise in the field of nursing.

    Specific outcomes:

    Graduates of programme are able to:

    1. Demonstrate an ability to care and an appreciation of nursing as both and art and a science.

    2. Demonstrates professional competence, including attitudes and skills needed to secure recognition by peer, profession and community.

    3. Take leadership positions in the health sector and enable transformational shifts that promote effectiveness and efficiency in the health service delivery. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Critical Cross Field Outcomes:

    Assessment tests the student's ability to:

    1. Specify the parameters of a problem and formulate appropriate ways to address it.

    2.Develop networks for support and information to improve inter -disciplinary and inter-sectoral collaboration. Contribute fully to group activities and meet personal responsibilities.

    3. Work independently, be self-confident, flexible and self-managing in undertakings. Take responsibility and accountability.

    4. Make responsible and informed decisions using available resources. Makes convincing, well prepared and credible arguments.

    5. Produce coherent, well-structured oral and written presentations, reports and relevant visual material. Give systematic feed back.

    6. Undertake systematic research at specified level.

    7. Take into consideration the socio-political dynamics of different situations when dealing with health problems.

    8. Show willingness for critical enquiry in search of new knowledge and better understanding of new developments in field of nursing and related areas of health care.Facilitate the learning of others.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for General Outcomes:

    Assessment tests the student's ability to:

    1. Acquire and analyse relevant data using appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods of research to investigate health issues.

    2. Synthesize and interpret the available information using appropriate resources, and within the context of professional, legal, political and social dictates.

    3. Prepare a health care plan and/or manage an assigned project relevant to the specific area of care. Review the range of possible strategies or actions and select those that are contextually appropriate to the situation.

    4. Present well-prepared motivations based on facts and figures. Show willingness to express own opinion to defend a position, plan a course of action, taking into consideration the immediate and broader potential impact of such action and decisions.

    5. Maintain a clear focus on health, recognizing optimal health and well being as the goal of any care intervention, and respecting the dignity and uniqueness of the individuals with health needs.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Specific Outcomes:

    Assessment tests the student's ability to:

    1. Establish and undertake evidence-based practice, through initiating change informed by current research and active evaluation of the implications of this research.

    2. Demonstrate:
    > A commitment to standards of professional conduct based on national and internationally accepted ethical principles.
    > A recognition of the complex factors influencing the health of the people in the context of their families and communities (including personal, relational, lifestyle, environmental, socio-economic, spiritual, cultural and political factors).
    > A respect for the dignity and uniqueness of individuals, families and communities in the delivery of nursing and health services.
    > Familiarity with the current health related policy, legislation and epidemiology for SA, and the appropriate application of these own practice.

    3. Develop measures to improve the quality of care at all levels. Prepare proposals, plans and motivations for needed change in the chosen area of specialization.

    Integrated assessment:

    Students will be assessed for each course module through a range of methods, including practical performance for clinical pathways, written examinations, assignments and, or projects. These will be designed to enable them to demonstrate their critical understanding of the subject matter to which they have been exposed as well as their competence to deal with practice-based problems and matters arising out of the subject matter. For assessment of research skills students will be required to undertake a small research project. This will include formulation of a relevant topic, translating it into a set of detailed research questions, design and execution of an appropriate research method, presentation of findings and conclusions and a coherently argued report. This will provide an opportunity for an assessment of their ability to apply skills and knowledge acquired throughout the programme to a specific issue of theoretical and practical significance. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Registration of UCT graduates qualified in general nursing, midwifery, psychiatry and community nursing have been registered in the United Kingdom, Middle East, USA and New Zealand. Nurse educators who qualified at UCT have had this qualification recognised fully in Canada. We anticipate that our postgraduate nurses will have no difficulty working in their specialist clinical areas in these countries. This programme is specifically intended to meet the need for scarce clinical skills e.g. Intensive Care Nursing, Child Nursing and Ophthalmic Nursing. No postgraduate diploma in nursing is offered by any of the Higher Education Institutions in the Western Cape Region. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The postgraduate diploma is designed to cater for the needs of the registered nurses qualified in terms of the four-year diploma in accordance to the South African Nursing Council Regulation R425, or equivalent. The programme is designed to meet training needs at the postgraduate diploma level in a number of areas of specialised nursing care. This PGDiploma is structured to fast-track candidates entry into the masters and doctoral programmes, consistent with UCT's academic mission. The availability of several pathways with the same clusters of fundamental modules allows for internal articulation between pathways. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The University of Cape Town has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. External moderation is done for summative assessment of performance for all modules of each course in a specific pathway. A central aspect of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the programme staff, explicitly including moderation of the marks awarded. Moderators are university lecturers and are registered with the SA Nursing Council as Nurse Educators. Arrangements are being made for staff to undertake the SAQA accredited Assessor and Moderator training. In the case of a student selecting a clinical pathway, e.g. Child Nursing, Advanced Midwifery, Critical Care Nursing, etc which lead to registration of an additional qualification with the SANC. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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. University of Cape Town 


    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.