University of KwaZulu-Natal

Bachelor of Nursing Honours: Advanced Practice

Health Sciences and Social Services - Promotive Health and Developmental Services

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Purpose and Rationale

Program Overview:

The Programme is an academic and vocational program designed to equip students with specialized skills and knowledge in the following areas:

  1. Nursing Practice
  2. Health Service Administration
  3. Nursing Education

Key Objectives:

  1. To provide students with specialized skills relevant to their chosen field.
  2. To equip students with knowledge in nursing practice, health service administration, or nursing education.
  3. To develop research skills among students.
  4. To impart contextual knowledge from social, biomedical, and other sciences to students.

Curriculum Highlights:

  1. Specialized courses in nursing practice, health service administration, or nursing education.
  2. Research-focused modules to enhance students' research skills.
  3. Contextual knowledge from social, biomedical, and other sciences.
  4. Practical training to ensure students are well-prepared for their chosen field.

Overall, the Programme aims to prepare students to excel in their chosen careers within the healthcare industry by providing them with a comprehensive and specialized education.

Outcomes

  1. identify a practice problem, access relevant information and engage in problem-solving
  2. communicate effectively with colleagues and consumers
  3. contextualize health structures and processes based on an understanding of current trends
  4. develop and maintain working partnerships with consumers, other disciplines and other sectors
  5. maintain an ethical approach to practice issues
  6. practice as an advanced practitioner in a field of nursing practice, or education or management with specialized skills and knowledge OR practice as a nurse generalist in a comprehensive health service with a range of skills and knowledge
  7. plan and implement a practice-based research project
  8. place the nursing disciplines and profession a historical and philosophical perspective.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Criteria for Nursing Practice:

  1. Identification of Practice Problems: Nurses should be able to access information, analyze data, and apply critical thinking skills to solve practice problems effectively. This includes recognizing issues in patient care, treatment plans, and healthcare protocols.

  2. Effective Communication with Colleagues: Nurses must be able to communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues, patients, and other healthcare professionals. This includes written and verbal communication skills, as well as active listening and collaboration.

  3. Historical and Philosophical Context: Understanding the historical and philosophical context of nursing practice helps nurses to appreciate how the profession has evolved and how different approaches have shaped current practices. This knowledge informs decision-making and ethical considerations.

  4. Building Partnerships: Nurses need to build and maintain partnerships with stakeholders such as patients, families, healthcare teams, and community organizations. This collaboration is essential for providing holistic and patient-centered care.

  5. Ethical Practice: Nurses are expected to practice ethically, upholding the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. This includes respecting patient confidentiality, informed consent, and cultural diversity.

  6. Specialist or Generalist Knowledge and Skills: Nurses should demonstrate specialized or generalist knowledge and skills in the four basic areas of nursing (medical-surgical, pediatric, obstetric, and mental health) across different healthcare settings. This expertise ensures comprehensive care for patients with diverse needs.

  7. Practice-Based Research: Nurses should be able to plan and implement practice-based research projects to improve patient outcomes and advance nursing practice. This involves conducting literature reviews, collecting data, analyzing results, and disseminating findings.

Integrated Assessment: Clinical supervision provides a formative integrative assessment of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Research projects and other assignments are designed to be integrative and authentic, allowing students to demonstrate their competencies in real-world scenarios. Summative evaluations in each module include clinical assessments to evaluate integrated competency in authentic work settings.

Examples of Integrated Assessments:

  • Organizing an open day for the community (Nursing Management)
  • Implementing a Mental Health Program in a district (Advanced Mental Health)
  • Conducting a community assessment and diagnosis (Community Health)

Qualification Details

Type
Honours Degree
NQF Level
08
Min. Credits
128
SAQA Source
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University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Description
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is a public research university located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was formed in 2004 through the merger of the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville. UKZN is one of the top-ranked universities in South Africa and is known for its excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, health sciences, and business. The university has multiple campuses spread across the province, including Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and Westville. Each campus has its own unique character and facilities, providing students with a diverse and vibrant learning environment. UKZN is committed to producing graduates who are academically competent, socially responsible, and globally competitive. It strives to promote innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among its students. The university also actively engages with local communities through various outreach programs and initiatives. Overall, the University of KwaZulu-Natal is a prestigious institution that offers high-quality education and research opportunities to students, contributing to the development and advancement of South Africa and the African continent as a whole.
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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.