Nursing Science
Introduction
The Department of Nursing Science was established in 1979 and made history on the 1st of February 1981 by introducing the undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Nursing Degree (BCur) for black post-matriculants.
Currently the Nursing Department is continuing with the current approved legacy nursing programmes whilst simultaneously embarking on the accreditation process in order to be ready to offer the new Under-Graduate degree and Advanced Diploma in Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing in 2020 as directed by the South African Nursing Council.
OUR VISION
To be a leading Nursing Science Department striving to epitomizing excellence in preparing students for the world of work (scholarly, public and private sector) in various contexts addressing the needs of communities through innovative ideas
OUR MISSION
Research Niche
The Department research areas focus on:
- Women and Child Health
- Gender-Related Violence
- Evidence Based Practice
- Unplanned Pregnancies/Reproductive Health
- HIV/AIDS
- Maternal and Peri-natal Mortality
Philosophy
It is the belief of the Nursing Science Department at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University that the product of the basic learner program in nursing leading to the registration as a nurse (General, Psychiatry and Community) and Midwife should, through community based education, guided by accompaniment and a culture sensitive approach, develop a scientific body of knowledge that will enable him/her to implement the nursing process skillfully while caring for patients, clients, their families and the community holistically.
- Scientific knowledge: The body of evidence based scientific knowledge encompasses the preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative care in all age groups throughout the entire lifespan.
Facilitator: The department beliefs that the person charged with the guidance of students, must through continuing education, keep abreast with contemporary health and education issues affecting health care and higher education in relation to the social economic, political and cultural changes in the community. - Learner: A learner-centered approach is adopted. Guidance should be based on specific and cross-field outcomes for adult learning for excellence in nursing.
- Process: The Department beliefs that an integrated adult learning approach will provide the learner with the optimal opportunity to develop the required competencies and professionalism, and that learning can take place under a variety of conditions, e.g. simulation. The department beliefs that a learner must have ample exposure to real life situations including technology developments and web-based learning.
The department beliefs that the curriculum must be relevant to the needs of the community at all levels in all settings within the primary healthcare context. Self-directed learning is embraced and promoted.