Yearbooks

Programme: Bachelor of Nursing Sciences [BNurs]

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty Department
10131002 Faculty of Health Sciences Department: Nursing Science
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 4 years Total credits: 538 NQF level:  08

Programme information

  1. The Bachelor of Nursing Science [BNur] degree is a four-year, professional, career-oriented whole qualification that allows graduates to register with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as:
  • Professional Nurse; and
  • Midwife/Accoucheur
  1. Successful completion of the degree programme will present graduates with the opportunity to further their studies in Nursing Science at postgraduate level.
  2. Candidates who comply with the necessary admission requirements will follow the prescribed curriculum.
  1. The compulsory practical and clinical hours of training over a four-year period will be determined by the competency-based framework and related regulations and circulars of the South African Nursing Council.
  2. Due to the compulsory practical and clinical training component as well as professional development, the curriculum cannot be completed in less than four years.
  3. The training institutions in question will grant vacation and sick leave according to the applicable requirements of the South African Nursing Council (SANC).

Note: Also consult General Academic Regulations G1-G15.

Conferment of the degree
The Bachelor of Nursing Science [BNurs] is conferred on students who have fulfilled all the programme requirements as well as the prescribed practical and clinical training successfully.

Admission requirements

Important information for all prospective students for 2023

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. ?

    University of Pretoria website click here

    Minimum requirements

    Achievement level

    English Home Language or English First Additional Language

    Mathematics

    Life Sciences

    APS

    NSC/IEB

    NSC/IEB

    NSC/IEB

    4

    4

    4

    28

    For advice on a second-choice programme, please consult a Student Advisor. To make an appointment, send an email to [email protected].

     

    Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2023: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.

    International Students: Click here 

     

    Important faculty-specific information on undergraduate programmes for 2023

    The closing date for all selection programmes is 30 June 2022.  Applicants are strongly advised and encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible after 1 April 2022 and to check the application site (UP Student Portal) regularly.

    • The following persons will be considered for admission: a candidate who is in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement; a candidate who is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution; a candidate who is a graduate of another Faculty at the University of Pretoria; and a candidate who is currently studying at a university.
    • Admission to Health Sciences programmes is subject to a selection process.
    • Grade 11 final examination results will be used for the conditional selection of prospective students.
    • For selection purposes, the sum of the results in six subjects, including English, Mathematics and Lifel Sciences, is calculated.
    • Life Orientation is excluded in the calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).
    • All modules will be presented in English, as English is the language of tuition, communication and correspondence.
    • Places are reserved in specific categories to ensure an equitable representation of demographically defined designated groups. Selection thus takes place in different categories.
    • For purposes of selection in the Faculty of Health Sciences, the “Designated Group” category includes South African Black African or South African Coloured African candidates. The “Open” category refers to all applicants including applicants from the Designated Group who compete first in the Open category and then in the Designated Group category if unsuccessful in the Open category.
    • Target numbers are specified for all categories as applicable to each programme. Where insufficient applications are received from qualifying applicants in a certain category, the selection committee may decide not to fill all places or to fill the places from qualifying applicants in another category.
    • A limited number of places are made available to citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens), with those from SADC countries being given preference. Permanent residents of RSA are not categorised as foreign students. Applications from citizens from countries other than South Africa  (applicants who are not South African citizens) may also be considered if they are
      • citizens or permanent residents of countries which have relevant government to government agreements with South Africa
      • asylum seekers or refugees
    • Citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens) who do not comply with the conditions above may be considered if space is available.
    • If an applicant has multiple citizenships, which includes South African citizenship, he/she will be considered as a South African applicant.
    • The final number of places allocated to new applicants will be determined on an annual basis taking into account the teaching facilities and resources available and, where necessary, the number of places allocated to students repeating modules in the first year of study of each degree programme.
    • Only applicants who comply with the requirements set out in this document will be considered for selection. However, the achievement of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as only a limited number of students can be accommodated.
    • Selection is based on merit. The faculty does not determine specific selection cut-off values for the different categories. Such values are generated by the competing students within a particular category in relation to the number of places available.
    • A Merit Point Score (MPS) is used for ranking applicants for selection purposes in all programmes. In certain programmes other criteria such as rural residence may be used as part of the selection process.
    • Only first-choice applicants will be considered, except where otherwise specified, in which case second-choice candidates may be considered if there are places available.
    • The top candidates will be selected provisionally up to or surpassing the allocated number, based on experience of the expected number of acceptances. A waiting list is created from the group of candidates with the next highest scores. The length of the waiting list is determined by experience of the number of places likely to become available and to prevent creating unrealistic expectations.
    • All offers are provisional until the final exam results have been received. For applicants in the School leaver categories a provisional place will be confirmed as long as the NSC or equivalent scores do not fall by more than two points from the Grade 11 APS score.
    • After the final NSC or equivalent qualification results are received, provisional offers will be confirmed if the applicant still meets the required criteria. The MPS of those on the waiting list will be recalculated using the NSC or equivalent qualification results and if places become available they will be made offers.
    • Places becoming available in any category after selection due to cancellation or forfeiture will be filled from the waiting list for the specific category.
    • This waiting list will remain active until the end of the second week after the start of lectures.
    • All successful candidates are admitted to the first year of study only. Registered students in the University Experienced categories may apply for credit for equivalent modules which they have completed.
    • Incomplete applications will not be considered and any false information provided by an applicant in his/her application may result in immediate cancellation of the application, admission or registration.
    • Candidates should note that their conditional admission will be revoked if their APS drops by more than two points in their final school examination results.
    • PLEASE NOTE that compliance with the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to any programme in this Faculty.
    • Selection queries may be directed to click here.
    • A student who is made an offer but does not accept it cannot defer the offer and must reapply to be considered in the following year.

     

    Transferring students

    A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP)is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.

    Closing dates: Same as above

     

    Returning students

    A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.

    • Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP, as per faculty-specific requirements.
    • Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
    • Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the programmes for which they apply.

    Closing date for applications from returning students is the same as the above

    Other programme-specific information

    1. Students who have to repeat specific modules, must also acquire a certificate of satisfactory attendance and progress in Nursing Practice Education (both modules of the year in question) in the year of repetition, even if the modules in question have already been passed in the unsuccessful year.
    2. Examinations are compulsory in respect of all the modules presented by the Department of Nursing Science, as it is not possible to be promoted in any of these modules.

    Examinations and pass requirements

    • In accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations a year, semester or quarter mark of at least 40% is required for admission to the examination in all undergraduate modules in the University where year, semester and quarter marks apply.
    • The final mark for a specific module in Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Occupational Therapy and Human Nutrition (at least 50% is required to pass) is calculated from the examination mark as well as the mark compiled from the evaluation of a student during continuous, objective and controlled assessment opportunities during the course of the quarter/semester/year. At least one formal assessment per module is set as the minimum norm, and students will be exposed on a continuous and regular basis to self-directed assignments in order to promote reflective learning.
    • In the case of modules with practical components, students are required to also comply with the applicable attendance requirements with regard to acquiring practical skills before a pass mark can be obtained for the module.
    • There are two main examination periods per annum. In respect of first-semester modules, the standard examination is in May/June and the supplementary examination is in July. In respect of second-semester modules, the standard examination is in October/ November and the supplementary examination is in November/December of the same year. Where students need to work additional clinical hours to be allowed to do a supplementary examination, the relevant head of department will determine the date of the supplementary examination.
    • Only two examination opportunities per module are allowed. If a student fails the supplementary examination, the module must be repeated.
    • A supplementary examination in a module is granted to students in the following cases:
    • If a student obtains a final mark of between 40%-49% in the relevant module at the standard examination and thus fails.
    • If a student obtains a final mark of at least 50% but the required subminimum in the examination, as required for a specific module, has not been obtained.
    • Students intending to sit the supplementary examination due to the reasons mentioned above, must register for the supplementary examination 24 hours after the results have been made public.
    • If a student fails a module at the standard examination, the examination mark obtained in the relevant module at the supplementary examination will be calculated as the final mark. The marks obtained with continuous evaluation during the course of the quarter/semester/year will not be taken into calculation. If the student passes the module at the supplementary examination opportunity, a maximum of 50% is awarded as a pass mark to the module in question.
    • A student who is prevented from writing the standard examination due to illness or other qualifying circumstances, may be granted permission by the dean to write a special examination in the particular module(s).
    • If a student is granted permission from the Dean to write a special examination, the continuous evaluation mark, together with the examination mark obtained in the module in question at the supplementary examination opportunity, will be calculated as the final mark obtained in the module.
    • In instances where students are unable to write the examination and supplementary examination as a consequence of a serious medical condition or an accident, such a student must apply for a special dispensation, with the support of the dean, to the Registrar, who will make a final decision.
    • The School of Healthcare Sciences applies the General Academic Regulations, according to which a student requiring a limited number of modules (no more than the equivalent of four semester modules) to complete his or her degree, may in terms of faculty regulations, be admitted to a Chancellor's examination in the modules in question.

    Exemption from the examination in (ANP) Anatomical Pathology 210
    Exemption from the examination may be granted if a student who obtained a module mark of at least 65%, exercises the option to accept it as the final mark.

    Exemption from the examination in (FAR) Pharmacology 381, 382
    Exemption from the examination can be granted if a student who obtained a module mark of at least 65%, exercises the option to accept it as the final mark.

    Passing modules in Anatomy and Physiology

    1. A module mark is calculated from the continuous evaluation opportunities during the course of the presentation of the relevant module. These evaluations will include one or more of the following:
    1. Evaluations in connection with theoretical knowledge.
    2. Evaluations in connection with practical knowledge and skills.
    3. Compulsory attendance at and active participation in prescribed activities.
    4. A final comprehensive module test.
    1. Students may exercise the option that the module mark at the end of the semester be ratified as the final module mark for the relevant module (i.e. they are exempted from the module examination for this module), if they comply with the following requirements:
    1. The abovementioned module mark is more than 65%.
    2. Proven attendance of all applicable module-specific activities, namely:
    • All tests/continuous evaluations.
    • All practical work and skills development sessions.
    1. Attendance of the relevant module from Day 1.
    2. No convictions by the School’s Preliminary Disciplinary Committee (Student Transgressions) of any form of transgression.
    1. A module examination is granted to all registered students (even if the module mark is more than 65%).
    2. The final module mark is calculated from the examination mark and the module mark (continuous evaluation) in the ratio 50:50.
    3. A second module examination is granted to all students who have obtained a final module mark of 40% to 49%. Students who have obtained a module mark of less than 40%, fail the module and will have to repeat the year of study.
    4. The relevant second examination will take place in November/December of the current year or in January of the subsequent year. A minimum of 50% is required to pass in the second examination.
    5. Aegrotats or extraordinary examinations, for students who could not sit the module examination due to health or other acceptable reasons, will take place during the second examination period. Students must apply formally for these examinations, and will be admitted by the Chairperson of the School or his/her authorised person. Where applicable, the Chairperson of the School may first require the recommendation of the Faculty Health Committee before admission to an aegrotat.

    All modalities of a final examination must be written jointly as a special examination, even if part of the relevant examination had already been written during the previous examination period.

    The final module mark is calculated from the marks of all the sections/ modalities of the special examination and the continuous evaluation mark. The same criteria as set for a pass mark in a module are applicable here. Students who could not sit the module examination in the examination period due to acceptable reasons, and who are consequently writing the module examination in the supplementary examination period, forfeit the opportunity to be admitted to a further examination.

    Academic exclusion from further study
    In accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations, a student must complete the degree programme for which he or she is registered within the prescribed minimum period of study plus one year.

    Promotion to next study year

    A student must pass in all the prescribed core modules of a specific year of study to be promoted to a subsequent year of study. A student can only be promoted to a subsequent year of study if the student has not failed more than two fundamental modules of seven weeks each per semester or one module of 14 weeks per semester. A non-negotiable prerequisite for admission to the final year of study is pass marks in all the core and fundamental modules of the preceding years of study. Refer to the programmes for fundamental modules in each discipline.

    A pass mark refers to a final mark of at least 50%.

    Modules with practical and clinical training credits cannot be passed unless all the prescribed clinical hours and practical activities have been completed to the satisfaction of the relevant head of department.

    The Chairperson of the examination moderating meeting may, after assessing the student’s total profile, grant special approval to be promoted to the next year of study.

    Modules can only be taken in advance or repeated if it can be accommodated in the existing examination timetable.

    A student who must repeat a year of study may, with the approval of the Chairperson of the examination moderating meeting and the relevant head of department, be allowed to take fundamental modules of the subsequent year, if he/she complies with all the prerequisites for the relevant modules. No adjustment to existing timetables will be allowed.

    The following fundamental modules are relevant:

    ? SLK 110, FSG 251, 252

    Practical/clinical/internship information

    1. The curriculum includes compulsory practical and clinical training modules, comprising a percentage of the total credits required for the successful completion of the programme.
    2. Students will be registered as student nurses at an approved teaching hospital (or hospitals) for the duration of their studies.
    3. Students will be required to visit clinics outside of the hospital as well as institutions where health services are provided.
    4. Clinical training will take place for the duration of studies at the facilities mentioned above.
    5. Students will be required to sign a contract of service with the approved teaching hospital (or hospitals) in question – information will be made available after successful application for admission.

    Certain hospitals and healthcare facilities have been approved for the purposes of practical and clinical training in Fundamental Nursing Science, General Nursing Science, Psychiatric Nursing Science, Community Nursing Science and Midwifery.

    Pass with distinction

    The BNurs degree is conferred with distinction on a student who has obtained an average of at least 75% (not rounded) in the final-year modules.

    General information

    University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project

    The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

    Minimum credits: 122

    Fundamental modules

    Core modules

    • Module content:

      Introduction to integrated healthcare leadership with the focus on the introduction to the nursing profession,  history of nursing, introduction to ethical legal practice and an introduction to concepts of quality nursing.

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    • Module content:

      Leadership and multidisciplinary team work. Healthcare systems and legislation. Determinants of health. Introduction to healthcare models (e.g. community-based care, family-centred care, etc.). Professionalism, Ethical principles. Management of diversity. NB: Only for School of Healthcare Sciences and Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students.

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    • Module content:

      Introduction to nursing practice as it is related to foundations of clinical nursing, health promotion and disease prevention practice, basic human needs in practice and family assessment.

      1 hour of the contact time will consist of clinical accompaniment by a lecturer/facilitator.

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    • Module content:

      Application of promotion of wellness in the hospital setting: record keeping, comprehensive assessment and basic care in the hospital setting.

      1 hour of the contact time will consist of clinical accompaniment by a lecturer/facilitator.

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    • Module content:

      Introduction to nursing theory, including theoretical foundations of nursing practice, health promotion and disease prevention, as well as basic human needs.

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    • Module content:

      Fundamental principles of health promotion in the hospital setting with inclusion of the nursing process, therapeutic environment and daily living activities and principles of medication management.

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    Minimum credits: 124

    Fundamental modules

    • Module content:

      Structure, gas exchange and secretory functions of the lungs; structure, excretory and non-urinary functions of the kidneys, acid-base balance, and skin and body temperature control. Practical work to complement the theory.

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    • Module content:

      Nutrition, digestion and metabolism, hormonal control of body functions, and the reproductive systems. Practical work to complement the theory.

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    • Module content:

      Infection, immunity and basic bacteriology.
      Introduction and basic principles of infection, sterilisation and the immune system. Bacterial cells and the classification of disease-causing bacteria.

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    • Module content:

      Systemic bacteriology.
      Commonly occurring bacterial infections and the bacteria that cause them.

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    • Module content:

      Fungi, parasitology and virology.
      Commonly occurring fungal, viral and parasite infections and infestations, and the organisms that cause them.

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    • Module content:

      This module is a general orientation to Psychology. An introduction is given to various theoretical approaches in Psychology, and the development of Psychology as a science is discussed. Selected themes from everyday life are explored and integrated with psychological principles. This module focuses on major personality theories. An introduction is given to various paradigmatic approaches in Psychology.

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    • Module content:

      This module introduces the student to a basic knowledge and understanding of the biological basis of human behaviour. The module addresses the key concepts and terminology related to the biological subsystem, the rules and principles guiding biological psychology, and identification of the interrelatedness of different biological systems and subsystems. In this module various cognitive processes are studied, including perception, memory, thinking, intelligence and creativity. Illustrations are given of various thinking processes, such as problem solving, critical, analytic and integrative thinking.

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    Core modules

    • Module content:

      Principles of project management. Communication principles. Leadership.  Health promotion and education, advocacy and literacy. Counselling for health behaviour change. NB: Only for School of Healthcare Sciences and Speech- Language Pathology and Audiology students.

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    • Module content:

      Aspects of the nursing profession, including an introduction to integrative healthcare principles, an introduction to nursing management, the principles of quality improvement, and guided engagement in professional activities (national/international).

      1 hour of the contact time will consist of clinical accompaniment by a lecturer/facilitator.

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    • Module content:

      Nursing skills in medical and surgical nursing care, including basic resuscitation, suctioning and medication administration, skills related to medical and palliative nursing care, and skills related to pre- and post-operative nursing care.

      1 hour of the contact time will consist of clinical accompaniment by a lecturer/facilitator.

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    • Module content:

      Nursing skills related to care of patients with conditions of the respiratory-, cardiovascular-, neurological-, musculoskeletal- and gastrointestinal systems.

      1 hour of the contact time will consist of clinical accompaniment by a lecturer/facilitator.

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    • Module content:

      Theory related to homeostasis, immunology, haematology and principles of medical, palliative and surgical nursing care.

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    • Module content:

      Theory related to communicable and non-communicable conditions of the respiratory-, cardiovascular-, neurological-, musculoskeletal- and gastrointestinal systems, across the lifespan.

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    Minimum credits: 148

    Fundamental modules

    • Module content:

      The undergraduate pharmacology module introduces students to general pharmacological principles, routes of administration, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Furthermore, disease treatment with relation to disorders of the cardiovascular, inflammatory and autonomic nervous system is discussed, as well as anaesthesia, asthma, diabetes, diuresis, obesity and pain.

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    • Module content:

      Hormones, drugs that act on the histaminergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic receptors. Pharmacotherapy of diabetes mellitus, schizophrenia, depression, obesity, anxiety, insomnia, gastro-intestinal diseases. Anticoagulants, antimicrobial drugs.

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    Core modules

    Minimum credits: 144

    Core modules

    • Module content:

      Aspects of nursing management related to development of ambassador skills in professional interactive activities (local/national/international), ethical-legal practice for special groups and addressing ethical challenges in healthcare, risk and asset management, incorporation of integrative healthcare in practice and strategic and systematic management of a healthcare unit.

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    • Module content:

      Professional development with the focus on engagement in professional activities; professional leadership, management and evaluation of best practice; national/international guidelines/strategies; policy development and principles of clinical governance; and evaluation of health facilities for compliance with SANC requirements.

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    • Module content:

      Theory related to comprehensive maternal and neonatal healthcare with a focus on gender-based violence during pregnancy, immunisation principles, application of IMCI principles in management of minor ailments for sick young infant, complications during abnormal pregnancy, antenatal care, labour, and the postpartum period.

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    • Module content:

      Practical related to comprehensive maternal and neonatal healthcare with a focus on gender-based violence during pregnancy, immunisation principles, application of IMCI principles in management of minor ailments for sick young infant, complications during abnormal pregnancy, antenatal care, labour, and the postpartum period.

      2 hours of the contact time will consist of clinical accompaniment by a lecturer/facilitator.

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    • Module content:

      Theory of community maternal and child healthcare and complications during the neonatal period.

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    • Module content:

      Practical of community maternal and child healthcare and complications during the neonatal period.

      2 hours of the contact time will consist of clinical accompaniment by a lecturer/facilitator.

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    • Module content:

      Nursing skills related to comprehensive general nursing with inclusion of resuscitation and management of haemodynamic status, management of medical emergencies, management of surgical emergencies, and management of dying and death and care of significant others.

      1 hour of the contact time will consist of clinical accompaniment by a lecturer/facilitator.

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    • Module content:

      Comprehensive self-care for vulnerable populations in the community and practica of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI).

      1 hour of the contact time will consist of clinical accompaniment by a lecturer/facilitator.

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    • Module content:

      Theory related to comprehensive general nursing with a focus on haemodynamic monitoring, assessment and interpretation, medical emergencies, surgical emergencies and shock.

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    • Module content:

      Comprehensive nursing care to protect vulnerable populations, and Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI).

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    • Module content:

      Conducting process of obtaining ethics clearance, data collection, data analysis, research report writing.

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    Regulations and rules
    The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

    The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

    University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
    The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

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