Bachelor of Nursing

There is a need for skilled health professionals with highly developed critical thinking, analytical, a problem-solving skill that will be able to use evidence-based practice to evaluate nursing practice in the interest of quality and continuous improvement. Nursing is an essential skill in any community and country, and the profession in South Africa has enjoyed an enviable reputation for quality and competence, and the comprehensive nature of the training provided. For the profession to develop, it needs to be based on sound research, which demands that professional nurses be able to carry out research, write up results, and put in quality standards. The focus on more academic aspects of nursing will position professional nurses to look at new knowledge, and new approaches to nursing care, which they will be able to monitor and evaluate. In this way, they will be able to assess the impact of interventions. This qualification will also prepare nurses for further specialization as they move from general nursing practice to specialization in particular areas, a change in focus from practice to consultancy roles and clinical nurse specialists in their field. The focus will add to regional and institutional concerns, national and international issues.

The rationale for the qualification:

This qualification will enable the learner to function as a clinically focused, service-oriented, independent registered professional nurse who can render comprehensive care across all spheres of health, as determined by the appropriate legislative framework. Comprehensive nursing in this context is defined as: "Nursing interventions that integrate and apply the scientific process of the full range of nursing that is general, community, obstetric, mental health that promotes and maintains the health status of health care delivery.” In addition, the qualifying learner will apply evidence-based research to enhance nursing practice.

Target Audience:

This qualification is suited for:

• A person who wants to become a professional nurse.
• Staff Nurses who wish to become professional nurses.
• Persons at a commensurate level in Health and Allied Health Sciences who wish to change direction and move into nursing.
• Those wishing to progress towards qualification as a Master or Doctor of Nursing and beyond.

Minimum Credits: 480

Admission and selection requirements:

New National Senior Certificate (NSC) Entrance Requirements: The 4 NSC subjects required at level 4 must satisfy the following Faculty-specific requirements

Minimum entrance requirements (Matric written before 2008) for Bachelor of Nursing programmes are as follows:

Determination of Selection Rating

Use the following table to determine the Selection (Swedish) Rating:

Legal Requirements:

In terms of current relevant legislation:

• Students are required to be registered with the University as well as the SANC as students for the duration of the period of learning
• SANC registration is paid by the university
• Students must have access to clinical facilities of health service providers accredited by the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding in place with the relevant ETQA for the practical component.
• Clinical training shall be done in general and midwifery hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, communities, and community health service facilities in the Eastern Cape Province.
• Clinical and work-based experiences must comply with the current regulations of the SANC.

Duration of the degree: 4 years

Contact details:

Dr AP Okeyo Telephone no: 043 704 7585
Email: aokeyo@ufh.ac.za

Faculty of Health Sciences,
University of Fort Hare - East London Campus
Private Bag X9083

5 Oxford Street
East London
5201