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SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
125537  Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
North-West College of Nursing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0638/26  2026-03-10  2029-03-10 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2030-03-10   2033-03-10  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of this qualification is to strengthen and deepen the students' knowledge and expertise in primary care nursing as a specialty. It will enable the primary care nurse specialist to engage in specialist areas of practice with in-depth knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that will enhance professional independence and optimum health outcomes. The qualification entails preventing diseases, injuries and complications, which includes screening, appropriate management and prompt referral of patients with specific and complex problems in all clinical settings.

The qualification will produce a competent, safety-conscious, responsible, compassionate and self-directed Primary Care nurse specialist who will be able to function independently in a Primary health care setting within the ethical and legal framework.

On successful completion of this qualification, the student is eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Primary Care Nurse Specialist.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Render and co-ordinate patient-centred specialist nursing or midwifery practice within a continuum of care using the scientific approach, integrating biomedical and psychosocial sciences, including advanced pharmacology.
  • Apply the knowledge of and facilitate evidence-based practice in the specialist field to solve contextual problems and develop policies and guidelines.
  • Mobilise appropriate resources to implement standards of practice relevant to the area of specialisation, to ensure quality patient care and safety.
  • Collaborate within the inter- and intra-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision making and sound clinical judgments.

    Rationale:
    The South African health care system has adopted a primary health care approach, which is nurse-led. The qualification will thus produce a Primary Care Nurse Specialist with in-depth knowledge to engage at the forefront of this specialist field with an understanding of theories, methodologies, methods and techniques to apply in a particular context.

    The health care system, in the interest of the right to access to health, enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa (Act No. 108 of 1996), is embarking on the National Health Insurance to promote access to quality, essential health care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. As a result of an increase in the quadruple burden of diseases, including communicable diseases (predominantly HIV/AIDS and TB), non-communicable diseases (Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, and Cancer), Perinatal and maternal morbidities and injury-related disorders.

    There is a grave shortage of doctors in South Africa, with doctor to patient ratio of 1 to 3,198 patients, and the number of doctors is on the decrease (NDoH,2022). The Primary Care Nurse Specialist will come in handy to complement the remaining medical fraternity rather than replace them. Furthermore, the NHI has necessitated a focus on quality to ensure value for money, which the knowledgeable Primary Care Nurse Specialist can drive.

    While the seventeen (17) sustainable development goals promote inter-sectoral collaboration, the Primary Care Nurse Specialists will be appropriately positioned to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being for all ages through their active engagement in promotive, preventive, curative and developmental health services, which are components of the Primary Care Nursing. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Recognition of prior learning will be handled according to the North institution's RPL Policy.

    RPL for Access:
  • An application must be submitted according to the RPL policy of the institution for individual assessment.
  • 10% of the learner cohort will be admitted through recognition of prior learning.

    RPL for credits:
  • A learner who qualifies for credit transfer will receive a maximum of 50% of the prescribed credits of the completed qualification, as determined by national and institutional policies.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Advanced Diploma in Trauma and Emergency Nursing, NQF level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Nursing, NQF level 7.
    Or
  • A Relevant Qualification in the Related Field, NQF Level 7, granting access to a Postgraduate Diploma.
    And
  • Proof of current SANC registration as a Professional Nurse and Midwife or General Nurse with Midwifery.
  • At least two (2) years of experience after registration as a Professional Nurse or General Nurse and Midwife, which includes a year of community service. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework, Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits.
  • Health Systems Dynamics, 16 Credits.
  • Adult Nursing Science, 32 Credits.
  • Paediatric Nursing Science, 16 Credits.
  • Evidence Based Practice, 8 Credits.
  • Adult Nursing Science, 24 Credits.
  • Paediatric Nursing Science, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Render and co-ordinate patient-centred specialist nursing or midwifery practice within a continuum of care using the scientific approach, integrating biomedical and psychosocial sciences, including advanced pharmacology.
    2. Apply the knowledge of and facilitate evidence-based practice in the specialist field to solve contextual problems and develop policies and guidelines.
    3. Mobilise appropriate resources to implement standards of practice relevant to the area of specialisation, to ensure quality of patient care and safety.
    4. Collaborate within the inter- and intra-professional team by engaging in health dialogue, shared leadership, decision making and sound clinical judgments.
    5. Participate in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of nursing policies, qualification and projects at the provincial or national level.
    6. Develops and implements institutional policies, protocols, and guidelines in the area of specialisation, utilising the process of change management in the improvement of quality of care.
    7. Engage in scholarly activities to inform evidence-based practice, education or management. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Illustrate understanding of the position of one's own specialist service within the health care system.
  • Conduct specialist care and integrate promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care in a healthcare continuum.
  • Ensure knowledge, skill and attitudes involve rendering specialist care is in accordance with national and international standards and protocols of the specialist field.
  • Formulate nursing or midwifery diagnoses which should be compatible with the patient's/client's clinical manifestations/data and are based on accurate analysis and interpretation of data obtained from scientific, laboratory, diagnostic, technological and psycho-sociocultural assessment, including consultation of relevant/current literature/evidence.
  • Individualise nursing or midwifery interventions according to patients'/clients' needs, values, beliefs, preferences, culture and contextual variables, for example, disease burden, health risks, national priorities, etc.
  • Provide nursing or midwifery interventions on formulated nursing diagnoses, and application of specialised knowledge and skills (competencies), including advanced pharmacology, in collaboration with the inter and intra-professional team.
  • Implement nursing or midwifery interventions timeously, accurately, safely and effectively in accordance with set evidence-based standards, guidelines, protocols, algorithms, etc., specific to the specialist field.
  • Plan health care interventions done in collaboration with the patient or client, family and relevant members of the health care team.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply understanding of and the process of evidence-based practice.
  • Evaluate the application of evidence-based specialist practice, taking into consideration the appropriate methodology of gathering evidence for practice, for example, systematic or scoping reviews, appraisal of articles, practice-based research and publication.
  • Use of evidence-based practice demonstrates knowledge of and critical analysis of the various levels of evidence.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Illustrate understanding of the infrastructure and equipment needed in the specific area of specialisation.
  • Illustrate the ability to operate and monitor the equipment used in the specialist area.
  • Apply sound asset management principles to ensure appropriate, adequate, well-maintained and up-to-date equipment.
  • Ensure assignment of staff to nursing care takes into consideration the specialist qualification and its competencies, experience, standard nurse patient ratios for the area of specialisation, job description and skill mix.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Identify, share, and collaborate to solve practice problems in the specialist area by making informed decisions and sound clinical judgement.
  • Assess and provide consultation in an appropriate manner in the provision of holistic care in a healthcare continuum through awareness of one's competence.
  • Carry out patient referral in an appropriate manner as dictated by the patient's condition and in accordance with the referral guidelines.
  • Participation in the inter- and intra-professional team is promoted, visible and recognised by the members of the team.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Participate in the development of policies, qualifications, and projects, show understanding of the steps in and or levels of the development of policies, qualifications and projects.
  • Participate in project and policy development, which shows knowledge of one's own role and responsibilities within the inter and intra-professional policy/project team.
  • Contribute to policy development, qualification and project development, shows advocacy for the nursing profession and patients/clients, families and communities in the specialist area.
  • Assess participation in project development includes appropriate communication (negotiation, bargaining, assertiveness, persuasion, etc).
  • Provide adequate feedback to relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Illustrate knowledge of the process and or steps of development of policies, standards, guidelines and protocols.
  • Analyse the process of development of policies, standards, protocols and guidelines by involving the relevant and pre-determined stakeholders.
  • Evaluate the process of development and evaluation or testing of guidelines and protocols using the appropriate methods.
  • Implement new policies, protocols and guidelines in the specialist area by showing understanding and application of the change process.
  • Ensure collective revision of developed policies, protocols, and guidelines at appropriate intervals and approved as per the institutional policy for the specialist area.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Document all data/information gathered in the context of the specialist practice, for utilisation and storage in accordance with the set standards.
  • Illustrate utilisation of comprehensive data, information and emerging evidence pertinent to the respective specialist practice.
  • Gather and analyse data for problem identification, diagnoses, and opportunities for improvement of assessment data from patients/clients, families, communities, learners or employees, including current scientific evidence.
  • Justify documentation with respect to intellectual property and ensure data used is not plagiarised.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT:
    Both formative and summative assessments will be used to evaluate learner competence on Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and theoretical instruction. Appropriate assessment strategies will be used.

    Formative Assessment:
    The goal of formative assessment is to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by learners to improve their learning and by lecturers to improve their teaching. More specifically, formative assessments:
  • Help learners identify their strengths and weaknesses and target areas that need improvement.
  • Assist lecturers in identifying the educational needs of learners and plan remedial action.

    In this qualification, formative assessment will be provided through:
  • Clinical performance assessment.
  • Peer review.
  • Case study.
  • Projects/ Research.
  • Assignments.
  • Role play.

    Formative assessment should be used for the remedial and developmental needs of the learner. Learner should at least obtain:
  • Theory 50%: Tests, assignments, case studies and group presentations.
  • Clinical 50 %: Formative clinical skills assessments (a minimum of 60 - 80% of assessments must be done in 'real life' situations).

    In order to qualify for entry to the summative assessment the learner must obtain an entry mark of 50% in theory and 50% in clinical assessment and achieve 80% attendance.

    The marks will be divided as follows:
  • Theory 25%: Written Assessment.
  • Clinical 25%: Clinical Assessment.

    Summative assessment:
    Formalised assessment which is used to recognise the attainment of outcomes in a certain level of education. For all modules, written assignments, project reports, and written and clinical assessments throughout the academic year will constitute summative assessment. Main and supplementary assessments will be used according to the academic rules and regulations of the college.

    A minimum of 50% must be obtained to satisfy the requirements for awarding the qualification.

    The marks will be divided as follows:
  • Theory 25%: Written Assessment.
  • Clinical 25%: Clinical Assessment (NB - appropriate clinical assessment strategies will be used, excluding OSCE. A minimum of eighty per cent (80%) of clinical summative assessments will be done in 'real life' situations and must be accounted for in the assessment records.

    In order to pass the summative assessment, 50% of summative assessments and 50% of formative /continuous assessments will be considered, provided a minimum mark of 45% has been obtained in the actual assessment.

    The learner must have achieved 100% of the prescribed clinical hours/credits by the end of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared to similar international qualifications from the United Kingdom and Australia.

    Country: United Kingdom.
    Institution name: University of Salford Manchester (USM).
    Qualification title: BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies.
    Duration: One Year.

    Entry requirements:
  • National Senior Certificate/Senior Certificate with an overall mark of 60% will be considered for undergraduate study.
  • Applicants with a bachelor's degree, or a bachelor's degree in technology (BTech), will be considered for postgraduate study.

    Purpose:
    The purpose of this qualification is to build on learners' nursing skills to help them develop their leadership, clinical decision-making, research skills, and clinical skills. It also provides the additional culturalisation needed to bridge the gap between working as a nurse in one's home country and the UK, giving learners confidence in their practice.

    Qualification structure:
  • Professionalism in Nursing.
  • Clinical Decision-Making Reasoning and Judgement.
  • Leading Change for Patient and Service Improvement.
  • Clinical Decision Making In Action.
  • Research for Healthcare Practice.
  • Preparation for Graduate Practice.

    Similarities:
  • Both aim to advance professional nursing knowledge and skills, preparing graduates for more complex clinical responsibilities.
  • Both require applicants to be registered professional nurses in their home country.
  • Both can be completed in approximately one academic year (full-time).
  • Both qualifications enhance opportunities for career advancement in clinical, leadership, and educational roles.

    Differences:
  • The USM qualification focuses on topping up an existing nursing qualification to a bachelor's degree, enhancing leadership, research, and clinical decision-making, and supporting international nurses adapting to the UK clinical culture.
  • The USM qualification requires a prior nursing qualification equivalent to Level 5, suitable for registered nurses wanting to upgrade to a BSc. While the SA qualification requires a bachelor's degree in nursing or specific nursing diplomas, plus a minimum of two years' relevant primary care experience after SANC registration.
  • The USM qualification is an undergraduate Level 6 degree in the UK framework. While the SA Postgraduate Diploma is at NQF Level 8.

    Country: Australia.
    Institution name: Australian College of Nursing (ACN).
    Qualification title: Graduate Certificate in Community and Primary Health Care Nursing.
    Duration: One Year Part-time.

    Entry requirements:
  • Hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse equivalent qualification.
  • Hold current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA); or the equivalent registering authority in your country of origin.

    Purpose:
    The purpose of this qualification is to meet the educational needs of registered nurses working not only in metropolitan areas but also in rural and remote areas by offering different speciality electives to tailor to their needs. The qualification is designed to foster leadership in the profession and have a positive effect on keeping people healthy, providing proactive care and health promotion to keep people well.

    Learning outcomes:
    At successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
  • Critically examine the relationship between social determinants of health, health outcomes and the context of specialist nursing practice.
  • Examine the economic and political factors influencing determinants of health and health outcomes.
  • Evaluate evidence-based research to enhance clinical decision-making skills and client intervention.
  • Rationalise their professional, ethical and social responsibilities commensurate to the context of nursing practice.
  • Analyse contemporary models of care that meet the specialised needs of the individual to optimise health outcomes.
  • Promote an effective learning environment through the development, dissemination and fostering of specialist knowledge and skills.
  • Evaluate available services and resources that support the management of a client with diverse healthcare needs.

    Qualification structure:
    Compulsory Modules:
  • Advancing Professional Practice.
  • Core Chronic Disease Management in the Community.

    Elective Modules: Choose one elective from the following:
  • Continence Management.
  • Diabetes Care Across the Lifespan.
  • Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain.
  • Health Promotion and Harm Reduction in Alcohol and Other Drugs Nursing.
  • Principles of Intellectual and Developmental Disability Nursing.
  • Principles of Palliative Care Nursing.
  • Understanding Data in Health Care.
  • Wound Management.

    Specialty elective: Choose one specialty elective from the following:
  • Primary Health Nursing.
  • Rural and Remote Nursing.

    Similarities:
  • Both qualifications recognise the need for nurses who can operate effectively in community, primary care and chronic disease management settings.
  • Both qualifications can typically be completed within one academic year.

    Differences:
  • A minimum of one year of post-graduate experience in ACN, while in South Africa, is a minimum of two years of post-graduate experience.
  • The qualification is done online as a part-time course, whereas in South Africa, it is a full-time qualification.
  • The SA Postgraduate Diploma is at NQF Level 8, while the ACN Graduate Certificate is typically lower in level than a postgraduate diploma but still a formal postgraduate qualification within the Australian Qualifications Framework.
  • The ACN qualification offers electives (e.g., palliative care, rural/remote nursing, chronic disease management, immunisation, wound care). While the SA qualification only has compulsory modules.

    Conclusion:
    The South African qualification is a high-level, specialist postgraduate diploma designed to deepen clinical expertise within South Africa's nurse-led primary care system, emphasising disease prevention, management, and referral within regulated PHC environments. The University of Salford BSc Top-Up is an undergraduate-level degree completion qualification aimed at registered nurses seeking to elevate their qualification to a bachelor's level while enhancing leadership, research, and clinical competencies, and adapting to UK standards (including NMC/OSCE preparation). The ACN Graduate Certificate is an Australian postgraduate qualification focused on developing versatile community and primary health care skills, especially chronic disease management, continuity of care, leadership, and practice in rural/remote contexts. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides the following articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Community Health, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Education, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Honours, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Health Sciences in Nursing, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Public Health, NQF Level 9.

    Diagonal Articulation:
  • There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A. 

    NOTES 
    N/A. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. North-West College of Nursing 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.