Bachelor of Nursing
Health Sciences and Social Services - Curative Health
Purpose and Rationale
Bachelor of Nursing
Purpose
The primary purpose of this Bachelor of Nursing is to provide a well-rounded broad education that equips qualified learners with applied competencies (reflexive, practical knowledge, theoretical foundation, and autonomy of learning) and a field of study that enables them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context. The qualified learner will function as a generalist nurse in Medical and Surgical Nursing, Primary Health Care, Mental Health Nursing, and Midwifery Nursing settings. This qualification prepares learners for professional training in nursing, postgraduate studies, research, and professional practice in a wide range of careers. The qualification aims to:
- Produce competent professional nurse practitioners within a wide range of health service settings.
- Provide learners with a wide range of skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will enable them to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to health services.
- Equip learners with a developed sense of equity, justice, and service ethics that will ensure responsibility and accountability irrespective of the chosen workplace.
- Offer a wide range of transferable skills for application in other professions, disciplines, and general life, including but not limited to:
- A methodical solution-based approach to the development of self and others.
- Competence in written and oral communication.
- Capacity to assess and implement health and other policies.
- Ability to plan, implement, and manage projects of varied nature.
- Ability to provide leadership.
- An empowerment-based approach to the development of self and others.
Rationale
The current Bachelor of Nursing qualification (R425) will be phased out, and in terms of the Government Gazette of 08th March 2011 - Regulation 174, a new qualification must be designed. The institution offers the Bachelor of Medicine in Clinical Practice and the Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion. The Bachelor of Nursing qualification will complement the aforementioned health professions and synergize with a multi-disciplinary health team. The community served by the institution is a predominantly rural and underprivileged population, which is characterized by poor health indicators. Therefore, when learners are placed in the community they will serve as they learn and that will improve health outcomes. Qualified learners will be a valuable asset to their immediate families and the community.
According to the Department of Health Human Resources Development Plan, there is a need for more trained nurses to meet complex health needs and for Primary Health Care Re-Engineering. The learners will be trained to take care of the demands of the health services in terms of the Nursing Act 2005 (No. 33 of 2005). The South African Nursing Council (SANC) prescribes the scope of practice to guide the functioning of nurse practitioners. On successful completion of this qualification, the learner is eligible for registration with SANC as a Professional Nurse and Midwife as defined in the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No 33 of 2005).
Upon completion of the qualification, qualified learners will be able to work as independent practitioners (professional nurses) in public and private hospitals, clinics, hospices, Defence, Police, NGO's, Occupational Health, Pathology Laboratories, Blood Banks, Medical Aid Advisors, and Hospital CEOs. The nursing profession appeals to individuals because of job assurance opportunities, to gain more knowledge on health-related issues, offers opportunities for professional growth within the health industry.
The learner will be motivated and self-directed towards advanced scholarship (lifelong learning), equipped with knowledge and skills of the research process and use of evidence-based practice in the execution of nursing interventions. The professional nurse will be comprehensively qualified with a scope that includes obstetric skills, mental health, and primary health care (First level contact and provision of health services with a referral system in operation when cases are beyond their scope).
Under being comprehensively trained, the qualified learner shall be able to provide preventive and promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care thus improving the health status of individuals, families, communities, and society. There are increased employment opportunities and one can practice independently as a private nurse practitioner. The economy will be improved because of a healthy workforce, improved productivity, reduced burden of diseases resulting in reduced health care costs. In private practice, a nurse can create employment opportunities.
Outcomes
- Apply knowledge of biological and natural sciences, psycho-social sciences and pharmacology in the provision of safe nursing and midwifery care, throughout the life span, in a variety of health care settings and communities in response to population needs.
- Identify and address ethical and legal issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value (and legal) systems to the nursing and midwifery practice within the legal framework.
- Manage a health care unit and health facility based on the understanding of the roles and relationships within the multidisciplinary team.
- Access, produce and manage information effectively to a range of audiences, including health information systems.
- Conduct research in investigating nursing and health-related problems to improve the quality of care.
- Apply learning strategies effectively to address own and other's professional ongoing learning needs in a self-critical manner.
- Apply knowledge of theories, methods and techniques in the practice of safe clinical nursing that is responsive to the needs of the individual, family and community, following national legislative and policy frameworks at all levels of health care.
- Provide safe and quality midwifery 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:
- Apply knowledge of psychology in nursing and midwifery practice to improve health care delivery.
- Utilize bio-natural sciences to meet professional health care standards.
- Help clients identify signs of relapse or complications and prevent them.
- Use technology for effective diagnosis and treatment.
- Initiate treatment, including prescribing medication, following legislation.
- Understand pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in prescribing drugs perinatally.
- Apply pharmacological principles for neonatal care.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Promote advocacy for individual, group, and community rights in health care.
- Adhere to SA Nursing and Health Care legislation.
- Interpret and apply ethical codes and professional standards consistently.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Base health care planning on sound assessments.
- Develop policies compliant with legislation and best practices.
- Establish cost-effective service delivery systems.
- Lead a team for effective health care services.
- Manage pharmacological treatments and resources.
- Implement quality management systems.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Organize and communicate professional information accurately.
- Engage the community in health care collaboration.
- Monitor and improve health care standards.
- Use various media and technology for effective communication.
- Build supportive relationships with interpersonal skills.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Conduct research based on identified needs and ethical principles.
- Develop strategies based on research findings.
- Provide care backed by scientific evidence.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Engage in professional development activities.
- Conduct research for professional growth.
- Mentor others according to their needs.
- Use relevant teaching strategies for positive outcomes.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Implement integrated nursing care plans.
- Identify and manage health changes promptly.
- Provide support for recovery and discharge planning.
- Deliver care for long-term and terminally ill patients.
- Demonstrate clinical skills and governance principles.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Prepare women and families for pregnancy and childbirth.
- Monitor labour and delivery, including foetal wellbeing.
- Manage newborns and potential emergencies.
- Provide post-natal care for mother and child.
Integrated Assessment:
- Formative assessments: Tests, role plays, presentations, assignments.
- Summative assessments: Projects, portfolios, clinical exams, simulations, workplace assessments, written exams.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 480
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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