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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96818  Doctor of Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The learner must be able to specialize within a specific field of Nursing at the level of a clinical nurse specialist and be able to apply critical analysis and problem solving techniques in the investigation of health related problems through research which will contribute to a scientific basis for nursing practice. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access may be granted to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements in accordance with the RPL policy.

Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • An appropriate Master's Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Research and thesis. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcome 1: Conduct independent research at an advanced level that promotes research-based nursing practice.
  • Contribute new insights, knowledge and/or information to the discipline of nursing.
  • Communicate the results of nursing in a technology transfer document in publishable format.

    Specified Outcomes:
  • Critically analyse and apply the results of health and nursing related literature to their own field or area of investigation.
  • Select the appropriate research paradigm (qualitative or quantitative) and method/s for investigation.
  • Apply the scientific method systematically and with rigour in the research process to solve a problem related to nursing.
  • Apply research tools effectively and correctly to the research process.
  • Logically and critically develop, analyse and draw conclusions from the findings of the research Review the research findings in order to expand or redefine existing knowledge or develop new insights, information and/or knowledge in the selected area of nursing.
  • Produce a thesis that places the research within the broader context of the field and can withstand international intellectual scrutiny. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Models, principles, theories, techniques, methodologies and results of health and nursing related literature are critically analysed and applied to their own field of research.
  • The use of literature surveys/correlations/experimentation/causal analysis or appropriate qualitative research method is justified fully and correctly in an oral presentation and the written record of research.
  • The research problem is clearly identified, defined and detailed in the research proposal
  • The stated questions, objectives or hypotheses direct the investigation to solve a nursing problem.
  • The research is designed, conducted and reported in accordance with sound ethical principles of research and professional values.
  • The sampling strategy is planned and executed in a manner that aims to a allow study findings, where appropriate to be generalized to the population and to be attributed to the treatment/intervention variable if appropriate.
  • Negotiation, conflict resolution and motivational skills to implement the research are explained.
  • Reflection on the manner in which the research is implemented is demonstrated.
  • Information sources are used critically and appropriately and include a range of media.
  • Information technology skills are applied effectively in information searches, data analyses, data presentation and the production of a thesis.
  • The appropriate narrative, mathematical and statistical analysis methods are applied correctly to quantitative and qualitative data.
  • The quality of the data is evaluated based on independently generated criteria in terms of validity and reliability in a manner that is consistent with the research paradigm.
  • The inferences, interpretations and conclusions from measurements and statistical and narrative analyses are logical and juxtaposed with relevant models, principles, theories, techniques and methodologies of the field or area of investigation.
  • Critical interpretation of data reflects the ability to evaluate contradictory findings of the study and challenge existing theories, models, principles, methodologies and techniques in order to contribute new insights, information and/or knowledge in the area.
  • The research contributes new, complex knowledge in the selected specialized area of nursing practice.
  • Language and numeracy skills are applied effectively and correctly in communicating and defending the research problem, its investigation, outcome and recommendations clearly in either an oral presentation or written record of the research.
  • The results of the research are correctly explained in relation to existing knowledge in the field or area of investigation by means of either an oral presentation, article prepared for publication or a technical report that will enhance utilization of the research in practice and further research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment of the outcomes is done through evaluation of the research process and the thesis. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is in line with the format of Doctoral Degrees offered internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Post-doctoral studies. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    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. Durban University of Technology 


    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.