General Nurses function as clinically focused, service orientated, independent healthcare providers. The practice of the General Nurse is evidence-based and focusses on quality service delivery within a broad spectrum of health services in a variety of settings, including community settings.

This qualification provides a basis for decision-making about what is within and beyond the defined scope of practice, as well as an understanding of the referral system in place for anything outside of the scope of practice.

The nurse who completes this qualification will be able to:

• Maintain professionalism
• Apply knowledge of biomedical, biotechnological and psycho-social 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 with stable, uncomplicated health problems based on thorough assessment
• Deliver nursing care to sick or disabled individuals and groups with stable uncomplicated health problems
• Promote rehabilitation of individuals and groups with disabilities
• Diagnose and treat minor ailments
• Deliver safe maternal care
• Manage a health care unit
• Utilise principles of science and methodology in investigating nursing and health-related problems

Learning assumed to be in place:

• Communication skills level 4
• Mathematical Literacy level 4
• Life Sciences level 4
• Computer Literacy level 3

Recognition of prior learning (RPL):

Should a learner wish to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for access to this qualification or credit-bearing exemptions, an application must be submitted to Emmanuel Verpleegskool for individual assessment. No more than 50% of programme content will be accredited through the RPL policy as per CHE/SANC guidelines.

Minimum admission requirements:

Access to this qualification is a National Senior Certificate with exemption to Higher Certificate studies with the appropriate selection of subjects, preferably:

• Biology/Life Sciences (at least D symbol / 50%)
• English Home Language or First Additional Language (at least D symbol / 50%)
• Maths literacy (at least D symbol / 50%) or Maths (at least E symbol / 40%)
• A score of at least 19 points on the scoring scale set out below as achieved in the National Senior Certificate (thus APS ≥ 19) in the applicant’s best 6 (six) subjects (excluding Life Orientation)

Outcomes of the programme as set out by the South African Nursing Council:

• Provide nursing care throughout the lifespan in various healthcare settings
• Render nursing care within a legal and ethical framework
• Apply knowledge of natural and biological sciences in the practice of nursing
• Apply knowledge of psycho-social sciences in the practice of nursing
• Apply knowledge of pharmacology in nursing practice
• Use and maintain healthcare information systems for nursing practice
• Manage a healthcare unit by implementing the management process
• Provide reproductive healthcare to promote and maintain optimum health of individuals and families

R171 consists of the following modules:

• Biomedical Sciences (BMS 100, BMS 200)
• Psycho-social Sciences: Sociology (PSS 100, PSS 200)
• Pharmacology (PHAR 100, PHAR 200)
• Basic Nursing Care (BNC 100, BNC 200, BNC 300)
• Community Health Nursing (CHN 100, CHN 200)
• Nursing Dynamics (NDY 100, NDY 200)
• Reproductive Health Care (RHC 100, RHC 200, RHC 300)
• Nursing Management (NM 200, NM 300)
• Health Information Systems (HIS 200, HIS 300)

The duration of the programme is three (3) academic years. One academic year consists of at least 44 weeks of full-time study.

The course consists of 364 credits, of which 200 credits must be acquired in accredited clinical facilities. Of your

clinically acquired credits, 70% are supervised and mentored by registered nurses and/or clinical facilitators.

Integrated learning will comprise 2000 hours’ work done in a clinical skills laboratory or other work-based clinical experience. 1 credit = 10 notional hours.

Learners need to successfully complete each year to be able to progress to the next year and must complete the whole program to obtain the qualification of General Nurse. Fundamental subjects can be carried to the next year, but core subjects must all be passed.