Bachelor of Nursing
Health Sciences and Social Services - Curative Health
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The Bachelor of Nursing aims to produce competent professional nurses and midwife practitioners within a wide range of health service settings. These learners will have a range of skills, knowledge, and attitudes that enable them to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to health services. The qualification equips learners with a developed sense of equity, justice, and service ethics, ensuring responsible and accountable work irrespective of their chosen workplace. It offers a wide range of transferable skills for application in other disciplines and general life, including:
- A methodological solution-based approach to problem-solving.
- An empowerment-based approach to the development of self and others.
- Competence in written and oral communication unique to Nursing and Midwifery.
- Capacity to assess and implement health and other policies.
- Ability to plan, implement, and manage projects of various natures and research capacity.
Rationale:
The qualification enables the learner to function as a clinically-focused, service-orientated, independent registered professional nurse and midwife who can render comprehensive care across all spheres of health. Reports on the status of nursing in South Africa indicate a growing gap between the demand and supply of professional nurses and midwives. The decline of learners is a matter of great concern to the professional body (South African Nursing Council) and the Ministry of Health. The learner is prepared comprehensively and appropriately according to the health needs of the country.
A person with this qualification works with all patients, stabilized or not, and takes responsibility for managing nursing care in healthcare facilities. The society benefits from the qualification as it is created according to the needs of the society, country, and National Department of Health. Thus, addressing the shortage of staff through the employment of appropriately trained professionals. Also, their training is based on the burden of the increase in different types of diseases nationally and internationally, thus reducing the morbidity and mortality rates. Reduction of morbidity and mortality rates ensures an increase in life expectancy, decrease hospital admissions, and saving of medical costs.
On completion of the qualification, the learner becomes a Professional nurse and a Midwifery, developed and grown professionally as a competent skilful practitioner. Learners can choose the stream of General Nursing or Midwifery as a professional practitioner progression includes training further and pursuing Primary Health Care Nursing, Intensive Care Nursing, Theatre Nursing, Paediatric/Neonatal Nursing, and Adult Psychiatric/Child Psychiatric Nurse. Furthermore, a Midwifery practitioner can study further and become an Advanced Midwife. These qualifications enhance the quality training of the learners to become clinicians or nurse specialists.
The qualification enables the learner to become a lifelong learner who can pursue additional training and qualifications to progress vocationally. Learners can also pursue a scholarly route and contribute towards advances in the nursing profession through Masters (NQF Level 9) and Doctoral qualifications (NQF level 10). There is a need for a competent professional nurse and midwife who provides health care and meets the needs of both rural and urban communities. On successful completion of this qualification, the learner is eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council as a Professional Nurse and Midwifery. Successful registration licenses nurses to practice as a Professional Nurse and Midwife.
Outcomes
- Apply knowledge of biological and natural sciences, psycho-social sciences and pharmacology in the provision of safe nursing care, throughout the life span, in a variety of health care settings and communities in response to the needs of the population.
- Identify and address ethical and legal principles in nursing and midwifery care of patients/clients, support and protect the rights of patients/clients in a health care context.
- Manage a health care unit and health facility based on the different roles and relationships within the multidisciplinary team.
- Access, produce and manage patient/client information effectively, including health information system.
- Conduct and utilise research skills in investigating and managing nursing and midwifery related issues to improve health care outcomes.
- Apply learning strategies to develop self and other's professional and personal through ongoing learning based on the needs critically.
- Apply knowledge of nursing and other discipline theories, methods and techniques in the management of patients with various health, midwifery and obstetric care needs.
- Proffer safe, optimal midwifery, obstetric and neonatal care in a scientific, integrated and evidence-based approach in all health care settings.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, microorganisms, and physiology in ways that benefit health care delivery.
- Assist the client in identifying indicators of relapse or complications and preventing them.
- Use technology in nursing and midwifery practice for effective diagnosis and treatment.
- Initiate treatment for common conditions per legislation and protocols.
- Understand pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in prescribing drugs during perinatal care.
- Apply pharmacological principles in neonatal care.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Interpret and apply ethical codes and standards for nursing practice.
- Advocate for individual, group, and community rights in healthcare provision.
- Apply practice in line with SANC and Health Care legislation.
- Ensure professional accountability and responsibility are maintained.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Plan and provide health care based on assessment and informed decision making.
- Develop unit philosophy, vision, and goals in compliance with legislation.
- Establish systems for cost-effective service delivery.
- Demonstrate management and leadership activities for effective service delivery.
- Manage pharmacological preparations effectively.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Organize, present, and communicate information accurately.
- Promote community involvement in healthcare.
- Assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and document care accurately and securely.
- Monitor standards for health care delivery regularly.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Conduct research based on ethically sound principles.
- Develop strategies and programs based on epidemiological principles.
- Provide care based on scientific evidence.
- Use research activities to contribute to professional knowledge.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Maintain emotional balance and promote effective service delivery.
- Engage in professional development activities.
- Use research for professional knowledge.
- Direct learning activities and mentor others effectively.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Deliver nursing care for long-term and terminally ill patients.
- Intervene with acutely ill patients for identification and management.
- Diagnose and manage conditions according to guidelines.
- Support patients recovering from acute illness for discharge.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Prepare women and families for pregnancy, childbirth, and family changes.
- Monitor the wellbeing of the foetus during pregnancy.
- Manage the mother during labour and delivery.
- Identify and manage emergencies accurately.
Integrated Assessment:
- Continuous formative assessment for feedback.
- Assignments related to work-integrated learning.
- Evaluation of learner performance for applied competence.
- Theory/Clinical instruction mode for integrated assessment.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.