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: 

Bachelor of Health Sciences in Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96999  Bachelor of Health Sciences in 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
National First Degree(Min 480)  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  516  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  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   2034-06-30  

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 
Purpose:
The four-year Nursing Science qualification is aimed at preparing clinically focused and service orientated independent professionals who will be able to render holistic and emancipatory nursing care in all spheres of health care (general, community health, mental health and midwifery).

Specifically, the purpose is to produce nurses who are competent to function within a district health system, with specific reference to Primary Health Care settings.

The focus will be on relevant, authentic and transformative learning experiences that recognise the significance of socio-linguistic meaning perspectives about health and disease as well as critical understanding of social, political, and economic determinants of health.

Rationale:
South Africa has been and continues to experience a serious problem of nursing personnel shortage. The National Human Resources Plan for Health proposed an annual production of 3000 professional nurses by 2011 (Department of Health, 2006). The changing disease profile, exacerbated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its escalating toll on the lives of South Africans requires nurses who are able to think independently and solve problems in the work place. Furthermore, nursing is one of the most sought out health professions globally. An undergraduate Degree in nursing ensures that Durban University of Technology (DUT) contributes to the national and global strategy for increased production of nursing personnel; a category of health personnel that is fast becoming a scarce human resource globally.

There is a demand for undergraduate nursing education in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

Nursing is one of the most sought out health professions globally. An undergraduate Degree in Nursing contributes to the national and global strategy for increased production of nursing personnel; a category of health personnel that is fast becoming a scarce human resource globally.

The qualification will enable the learner to function as a clinically focused, service oriented, independent, registered professional nurse, who is able to render comprehensive care across all spheres of health, as determined by the appropriate legislative framework. In addition, qualifying learners will apply evidence based research to enhance nursing practice.

On successful completion of the qualification, the learners are eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council as nurses (general, psychiatric and community health) and midwives. Furthermore, the qualification provides for progression to Postgraduate nursing studies and thus has a potential to contribute to the nation's efforts to increase both service and academic nurse practitioners. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification may be achieved in part through RPL in accordance with the policies and procedure of Durban University of Technology (DUT) upon presentation of relevant evidence that meets the Outcomes of the qualification.

This is to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. The following are standard statements for integrated assessment. However, these statements could be reworded within the context of the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate at Level 4.
    Or
  • National Certificate in Nursing at Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    All modules are compulsory. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an in-depth and analytical understanding of the biomedical, biotechnological, and psychosocial principles, processes, theories and approaches in the practice of nursing.
    2. Provide holistic nursing and midwifery care to individuals, families and communities across the lifespan within a district health system underpinned by a Primary Health Care and multidisciplinary approach.
    > Range Statement: Includes nursing care of individuals (from conception to death), families, groups and communities with health problems/needs related to actual and/or potential altered states of biophysical and psychosocial functioning, including but not limited to understanding of national policies and programmes specific to particular communicable diseases such as comprehensive management of HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral treatment, DOTS and immunization programmes).
    3. Evidence critical and comprehensive understanding of nursing and health care management theories in the management of a health care unit in all health care settings (PHC, midwifery, and hospital care).
    4. Conduct and utilize research aimed at understanding and/or solving health related problems in all levels of health care in collaboration with peers.
    5. Demonstrates a comprehensive and critical understanding of the ethical and professional principles and regulations in dealing with complex and problematic issues involving nursing personnel, clients and other members of the health care team. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Integration of knowledge pertaining to the structure and functioning of the human body is evidenced in the provision of preventative, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care.
  • Integration of knowledge pertaining to understanding of types, structure, virulence and clinical management of various microbes (including pharmacological management) is evidenced in the provision of preventative, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care.
  • Interpretations of causal-relationships between health and disease evidence critical and analytic understanding of environmental determinants (global, physical, economic, and political) on access, attainment and maintenance of health.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Population-based promotive and preventive nursing interventions evidence an evaluative and analytical understanding of the district health system underpinned by a PHC delivery system.
  • A coherent and critical understanding of the theoretical and scientific approach to planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care provided to individuals (throughout the lifespan), families and communities at all levels of health care; including PHC, maternity and hospital-based care is demonstrated.
  • Management of emergency and critical situations is underpinned by a comprehensive and systematic understanding of emergency and critical nursing principles and theory.
  • Principles of restoration and rehabilitation are applied effectively in maximizing individual capabilities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Health service planning evidences critical understanding of planning theories, models and approaches.
  • Critical and integrated use of health informatics in the analysis and interpretation of health related contexts and/or problems inform decision-making.
  • Human resource planning and development is underpinned by an in-depth and critical understanding of Human Resource (HR) management theories, models and approaches.
  • Budgeting, finance and resource allocation shows in-depth and analytic understanding of public financial models.
  • Critical and analytical appraisal of workplace situations and decision making is underpinned by in-depth and comprehensive understanding of nursing and health care management theories.
  • Critical and integrated use of health informatics and personnel data in the analysis of situations in order to inform decision-making.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • An informed and critical understanding of nursing research theory and methodology is evidenced through application in the investigation of health related problems.
  • Effective retrieval and processing of information for critical engagement with nursing research and scholarship is undertaken.
  • Scientific reports are compiled, documented and presented according to standards of the nursing scientific community.
  • Research findings are utilised for advancement of nursing knowledge and practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Debates and position statements on ethical and professional issues surrounding the practice of nursing evidence critical and analytical thought, especially as these relate to:
  • Bioethics and Nursing Ethics:
    > Confidentiality and Informed Consent.
    > Respect and autonomy.
    > Euthanasia and the ethical debate.
    > Distributive Justice and research.
  • Advocacy and human rights.
  • Ethical issues and moral theories.
  • Professional Practice.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment will Endeavour to determine student competence in knowledge, skills and attitudes that underpin nursing practice through use of a variety of assessment strategies and approaches including assignments, projects, case studies, portfolios, clinical assessments, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE) and simulated patients and thus ensuring the achievement of authentic, valid and reliable results. In addition, a capstone assessment integrating basic sciences (medical and social sciences) and clinical subjects aimed at assessing learner abilities in collecting, organizing, analysing, and interpreting information including ability to make logical and sound inferences based on information at hand will be carried in the final year of the qualification. Most importantly diagnostic, formative and summative assessment will be used.

    Diagnostic Assessment:
    The Standardized Assessment Test for Access and Placement (SATAP) diagnostic test will be used in the first year of study to identify learner strengths and weaknesses so to be able to provide individualized teaching opportunities where warranted.

    Formative Assessment:
    Feedback is an essential feature of the teaching/learning process. Hence, Formative assessment will form an integral part of the teaching/learning process and will be used primarily to inform decisions related to practices and/or approaches that need corrective interventions for both learners and teachers. Hence no grades will be assigned to such assessment-the sole purpose of which will be to provide feedback in order to enhance teaching and learning.

    Summative Assessment:
    Learning is also aimed at achievement and competence. Summative assessment will be used to make judgments related to progression and competence with regard to attainment of specified learning outcomes at the end of an academic semester and/year and will include both theory and practical assessment.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    This qualification may be achieved in part through RPL in accordance with the policies and procedure of Durban University of Technology (DUT) upon presentation of relevant evidence that meets the Outcomes of the qualification.

    This is to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. The following are standard statements for integrated assessment. However, these statements could be reworded within the context of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The quality and scope of this qualification is based on the standards set by the SGB for nursing as well as the South African Nursing Council and thus is on par with any similar qualification in the country. Hence, it can be deduced that the qualification compares favourably with most international pre-licensing four-year qualifications in that a number of countries readily accept South African nursing qualifications as evidenced by the now well-known constant and continuing migration by the South African nurses to countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), New Zealand Australia, Canada, Holland, and the Middle East (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)). South African nursing standards match those in comparable African countries. South African nurses are sought out by the WHO/AFRO regional office for consultation in the development of nursing and midwifery education in the region.

    Furthermore, South Africa is an active member of the Internal Council for Nursing (ICN) as well as the Internal Labour Organization (ILO), member of the African Union (AU), formerly the Organization of African Unity (AOU), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Commonwealth. The proposed qualification would meet recognition requirements in most of the member countries of these organizations and throughout Sub Saharan Africa. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Any other health professions Degree as determined by individual providers and professional regulatory bodies.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • A Master's Degree in nursing (Level 9). 
    		•

    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.