Bachelor of Nursing
Health Sciences and Social Services - Promotive Health and Developmental Services
Purpose and Rationale
Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery Program
Purpose
The Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery program aims to prepare learners to become competent, independent registered professional nurses and midwives. The program focuses on enabling learners to provide comprehensive care across various health sectors as outlined by legislation.
Specifically, the program aims to achieve the following:
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Produce Competent Professionals: Train nurse practitioners to work effectively in diverse health service settings.
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Develop Skills and Knowledge: Equip learners with a broad array of skills, knowledge, and attitudes to contribute effectively to health services.
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Instill Ethical Values: Cultivate a strong sense of equity, justice, and ethical service to ensure responsible and accountable practices in any professional setting.
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Offer Transferable Skills: Provide transferable skills applicable to other professions and everyday life, including problem-solving, empowerment-based approaches, communication skills, policy assessment, project planning and management, and research capabilities.
Rationale
The Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery program addresses the growing need for professional nurses and midwives in the country. Reports indicate a shortage of professionals in the field, a drop in new entrants, and an aging workforce. The South African Nursing Council and the Department of Health have highlighted the urgency to attract more learners to the profession.
Establishing a professional degree in nursing is crucial to encourage more individuals to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in the field. The program's scope is extensive, encompassing obstetric, mental health, and primary health care skills, enabling graduates to offer comprehensive care in various healthcare settings.
Upon program completion, learners are eligible for registration as Professional Nurses with the South African Nursing Council. This registration allows them to practice independently, make crucial decisions, and assume accountability in their practice.
With a focus on enhancing the quality of healthcare in South Africa, the program equips nurses and midwives to lead health teams effectively, manage care in healthcare facilities, and promote quality improvement initiatives. The curriculum integrates a robust research component to support evidence-based practices and further academic pursuits in specialized areas of nursing and midwifery.
Outcomes
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 their own and other's professional and personal ongoing learning needs in a self-critical manner.
- Apply knowledge of theories, methods and techniques in the practice safe clinical nursing that is responsive to the needs of the individual, the family and the community, following national legislative and policy frameworks.
- Maintain optimal health of a woman, her family and baby, post-partum, post-partum and intrapartum.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Conduct advocacy activities to promote individual, group, and community rights concerning law and health care provision.
- Interpret and apply ethical codes, professional accountability, and standards for the practice of nursing and midwifery.
- Apply technology in the practice of nursing and midwifery.
- Provide treatment and manage common conditions, including prescribing and dispensing medications.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Demonstrate knowledge of psychology and sociology in nursing and midwifery practice.
- Implement nursing interventions based on individualized plans for mentally ill persons.
- Provide therapeutic interventions to mentally ill persons.
- Assist clients in identifying indicators of relapse or complications.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Develop unit philosophy, vision, mission, goals, policy and procedures for nursing and midwifery care provision.
- Establish systems for cost-effective and efficient service delivery.
- Manage resources effectively within a health care unit.
- Implement and monitor quality management systems.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Organize, present, and communicate professional information accurately.
- Promote community involvement in health care.
- Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate accurately and timeously.
- Communicate effectively using a variety of media and technology.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Conduct research based on identified needs following the research process.
- Develop strategies based on sound epidemiological principles.
- Provide care based on scientific evidence.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Engage in professional development activities.
- Conduct research activities to develop professional knowledge.
- Direct learning activities towards positive health outcomes.
- Direct mentoring activities towards the development of others.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Implement nursing care according to plans.
- Diagnose and manage conditions accurately.
- Deliver nursing care to provide necessary physical and psychological support.
- Demonstrate competent clinical skills at all times.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Prepare women and families for pregnancy, childbirth, and family changes appropriately.
- Conduct obstetric history-taking and physical examination comprehensively.
- Monitor the wellbeing of the foetus and manage the mother during childbirth.
- Provide integrated postnatal care for the long-term wellbeing of mother and child.
Integrated Assessment:
- Evidence of integration as per the South African Nursing Council regulations.
- Assessment within the context of Quality Assurance policies and procedures.
- Formative assessment strategies throughout the qualification.
- Summative assessment in various forms such as oral, written, and practical examinations.
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.