Bachelor of Nursing Science
Health Sciences and Social Services - Curative Health
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to prepare nurses in the art and science of nursing. The goal is to equip them with essential scientific knowledge, practical skills, and professional values. The aim is to mold their attitudes and transform their behaviors to become competent, independent, service-oriented clinical practitioners with a caring and compassionate approach to meet the healthcare needs of South African society and the African region at large.
The qualification aims to enable learners to function at an advanced intellectual level in complex areas of nursing practice and provide comprehensive preventative, curative, and rehabilitative healthcare across all spheres of health and life stages within ethical and legislative frameworks. It also prepares them to be competent in technology use, patient and peer education, clinical leadership, research, and collaborative projects.
The qualification further aims to equip graduates with a sense of equity, justice, and service ethics, enabling them to work accountably regardless of their workplace. It offers transferable skills for other professions and disciplines, including empowerment, holistic personal development, communication skills, and health policy implementation.
Upon successful completion, learners are eligible for registration as Professional Nurses with the relevant statutory body, allowing them to practice professionally.
Rationale:
Workforce planning and development in healthcare are challenging due to the significant investment required to train and employ health professionals. Health indicators drive the need for human resource strategies to improve health outcomes. The introduction of National Health Insurance in South Africa necessitates growth in healthcare professional production, particularly in community and rural areas.
The Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree addresses the shortage of nurses in South Africa and globally by producing skilled professional nurses with academic and clinical proficiency. The focus on academic aspects positions nurses to contribute to the scientific body of knowledge, implement evidence-based practice, conduct research, and improve healthcare outcomes.
The qualification aims to be internationally recognized for nursing practice, preparing nurses for further specialization and addressing national and global health challenges. It aims to facilitate lifelong learning and advancement from general nursing to specialized areas, transitioning from institutional to broader healthcare concerns domestically and internationally.
Outcomes
- Apply knowledge of biomedical and biotechnological and psychosocial sciences to the practice of nursing.
- Develop, implement and evaluate population based health care.
- Assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for individuals and groups based on thorough assessment.
- Deliver nursing care to sick or disabled individuals and groups.
- Promote health and rehabilitation of individuals and groups.
- Diagnose and treat minor and common ailments.
- Maintain professionalism in nursing practice.
- Manage a health care unit and facility.
- Deliver safe obstetric care.
- Manage the care of persons with severe and minor mental health problems.
- Utilise principles of science and methodology in investigating nursing and health related problems.
- Support and/or protect the rights of others in a health care context. Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: This qualification allows all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed.
Assessment Criteria
Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Knowledge of anatomy, micro-organisms, and physiology applied
- Management of pharmacological preparations and treatment
- Use of technology in diagnosis and treatment of hearing and breathing related conditions
Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Promotion of community involvement in health care
- Utilization of community health assessments for prioritizing needs
- Identification of health care status changes for preventative measures
Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Sound assessment for health care provision
- Implementation of nursing care according to plans
- Interventions for acutely ill patients
- Maintenance of physiological homeostasis and patient comfort
Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Delivery of nursing care for long term and terminally ill patients
Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Application of psychology and sociology in health care delivery
- Support for patients recovering from acute illness
- Setting realistic goals for rehabilitation
Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Accurate diagnosis and management of childhood illnesses and common ailments
Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Consistent application of South African Nursing and Health Care legislation
- Interpretation and application of ethical codes and professional standards
- Engagement in professional development activities
Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Personal development and management
- Inclusive planning for patient care
- Establishment of unit philosophy, vision, mission, and policies
- Cost-effective service delivery and leadership activities
Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Integrated care for the wellbeing of mother and child
- Intra-labour care for mother and baby
Exit Level Outcome 10:
- Supportive counselling for different needs
- Interventions for mentally ill patients
Exit Level Outcome 11:
- Appropriate health care provision based on health assessment
- Development of strategies and programmes based on health assessments
- Contribution to research activities
Exit Level Outcome 12:
- Advocacy activities for individual, group, and community rights
Integrated Assessment:
- Demonstration of applied competence across disciplines
- Use of formative and summative assessment methods
- Judgment of observable attitude and performance
- Reference to SANC guidelines for assessment
- Criteria based on Exit Level Outcomes
- Formative assessment strategies
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree(Min 480)
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 507
- 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.