Postgraduate in Primary Care Nursing

This programme is offerred in the following campus:

1. Ann Latsky Campus
2. Ga-Rankuwa Campus
3. Rahima Moosa Campus
4. SG Lourens Campus
   

The purpose of this programme is to:

Produce an independent, competent, critical and analytic primary care nurse specialist who can demonstrate competencies required to render appropriate and skilled primary care services to individuals with different health problems as the first level of care, with the aim of reducing the quadruple burden of disease and improving the health of the communities through specialized promotive, preventative, curative and rehabilitative care.

The description of the programme:

The Primary Care Nursing (PCN) consists of 144 credits and will be offered in one academic year. The curriculum uses an outcomes-based approach whereby students are placed for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in a variety of specialized primary health care settings to apply the required competencies. A collaborative teaching and learning approach will promote evidence-based practice.

The focus of the qualification will be to extend theory and its application in practice. Typical learning pathways will need to include case studies and practice-based project work. Learning in a clinical context, under the supervision of an advanced health specialist, will guide practice towards higher skills levels with progress and performance measured against set criteria.

On successful completion of the program outcomes, the graduate will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nurse Specialist aligned to NQF level 8. The graduate will be registered as a critical care nurse: adult specialist with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) to practice as defined by the Nursing Act No 33 of 2005.

This qualification provides a career path for Registered nurses who want to stay in a clinical context, but who would like to specialize, focus on an area and add to their depth of knowledge and skill. Persons leaning towards this qualification become expert in an Primary Care specialization. The sector needs qualified specialists both to improve practice, and to train other nurses.

Programme outline: