Universities and Online Degrees Guide

Stellenbosch University

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing

The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing in Health Professions is offered by Stellenbosch University.

Program Length: 2 YEARS.

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing offered by Stellenbosch University at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Programme description
The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing equips you with the necessary theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to practise effectively and efficiently in your chosen specialist area, promotes critical-analytical thinking and teaches you the principles and skills of research methodology.

• Programmes and/or specific modules are presented by means of interactive telematic education technology.
• Additional areas of specialisation may be determined in conjunction with the head ofthe Division.

Programme outcomes
On completion of this postgraduate diploma programme, you the student should be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• the ability to apply knowledge and skills of the specialist area in practice effectively, systematically and confidently;
• the ability to apply research principles and methods;
• that as a practitioner you are able to effectively apply specialist knowledge (theoretical and clinical) in the relevant health area. This specialist knowledge differs in depth and breadth to that of the BNursHons programme;
• critical thinking at this level of education in the specialist area;
• skills to effectively organise and manage in the health care service/health care unit/patient care;
• effective communication with health care consumers and colleagues in health services through the use of visual, verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills;
• compliance with professional codes of conduct, codes of ethics, scope of practice and effective solving of professional/ethical/practice/management issues;
• as a generic outcome, participation in the advancement of the South African community’s quality of life, and as a specific outcome, that the individual, group or community’s health needs are managed effectively;
• the application of appropriate academic, ethical and professional values as a role model in the profession;
• the exploration of strategies to promote effective learning, academic self-reflection and adaptability; and
• the delivery of preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative service to humankind at any point on the health-disease continuum.

Assessment and examination

• All programmes are subject to the provisions regarding examinations, promotion and reassessment in a single module as outlined in Part 1 (General) of the Calendar.
• A variety of formative and summative assessment methods are used. You are assessed individually by means of:
  • assignments;
  • application of research principles and methodology;
  • patient case presentations;
  • clinical rounds;
  • case studies;
  • clinical assessment;
  • written tests and examinations; and
  • assessment of psychomotor skills in your relevant specialist area.
• The assessment results will indicate whether outcomes are achieved. Assessment of you as a nursing specialist in practice indicates to what degree you have achieved the appropriate academic depth, focus and integration of theory and practice.
• Each module is assessed separately with a minimum pass mark of 50%.
• The final mark for the programme is calculated on the basis of the relative weight of each module, as indicated by the credit value for each module.