UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

Undergraduate Programme

The Bachelor of Nursing degree is a four year honours equivalent degree to prepare nursing professionals for general nursing and midwifery practice. The degree programme includes theoretical study ot the Braamfontein and medical school campuses and clinical training at campus hospitals community clinics and special areas such as hospitals and the health care train.

Nursing courses commence in the first year with correlated periods of community based learning activities and in the second semester, hospital-based clinical practice. These become incremental over the next three years of the degree. The curriculum includes a core of knowledge in the biological, natural, physical and social sciences as well as the theory and practice of nursing science. A strong emphasis on the sciences is a characteristic of a Wits Bachelor's degree in Nursing.

CURRICULUM

First Year

  • Comprehensive Nursing I
  • Chemistry (half course)
  • Physics 1 (half course)
  • Introduction to Psychology I
  • Human Behavioural Sciences I (half course)
  • Basic Principles of Group and Individual Psychology I
  • Introduction to Medical Sciences (half course)

Second Year

  • Comprehensive Nursing II
  • Anatomy for Nurses
  • Physiology and Medical Biochemistry

Third Year

  • Comprehensive Nursing III
  • Microbiology (half course)
  • Women's Health I
  • Psycho-Social I
  • Pharmacology (half course)
  • Health Psychology (half course)
  • Research Design and Analysis (half course)

Fourth Year

  • Comprehensive Nursing IV
  • Women's Health II
  • Psycho-Social Health II


STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE

The course is based primarily on small group learning which allows students to complete a series of clinical problems and are carefully structured to cover the whole curriculum.

The learning process is supported by a wide range of educational resources, libraries, laboratories, lecturers and clinicians, workshops, information technology facilities, seminars, fieldwork and tutorials. Introduction to concepts of health, wellness and illness, in relation to the individual family and community; introduction to professional practice including caring rights, values and beliefs; aspects of trans-cultural care including interpersonal relationships, communication and lifestyle; introduction to research; first aid and clinical skills related to the above.

Admission Requirements

The Faculty of Health Sciences does not calculate an APS score. Only five subjects are used to derive a matriculation score, which is calculated according to the percentage obtained NOT symbols. These are English, Maths, Physical Science/Life Sciences and the best two other subjects.