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Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, joined management of the Western Cape College of Nursing (WCCN) in welcoming a cohort of 300 students enrolled at the college for the 2024 academic year.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, joined management of the Western Cape College of Nursing (WCCN) in welcoming a cohort of 300 students enrolled at the college for the 2024 academic year.
It will be the first time the college offers postgraduate qualifications in the nursing profession. At an event hosted at the WCCN Metro campus in Heideveld on Tuesday 12 March, management acknowledged the history-making initiative that will see specialised nurses enter the workforce.
Along with its Higher Certificate in Nursing (R169), Diploma in General Nursing (R171), Bachelor of Nursing & Midwifery (R174) and Advanced Diploma in Nursing (R1 497), the college now offers the following postgraduate qualifications at an NQF level 8:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Critical Care Nursing (R174)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing (R174)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing (R171)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Perioperative Nursing (R169)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery (R161)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing (R169)
A seventh qualification – Postgraduate Diploma in
Orthopedic Nursing – has also recently been accredited by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA).
The WCCN has previously offered the Advanced Diploma in Midwifery (R1 497) as an NQF Level 7 qualification, but the R635 programme is now accredited as an NQF Level 8 qualification.
This is made possible through approval from the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and Council on Higher Education (CHE).
This is the first public college in South Africa to offer postgraduate courses.
Department of Health and Wellness Chief Financial Officer Simon Kaye says this is the culmination of one journey, but the beginning of many other journeys.
He adds finding the health sector gave his life purpose, and that daily he has the opportunity to change the lives of the most vulnerable, even in a small way.
“This is an opportunity presented to you now,” he said.
Mbombo encouraged the students to learn as much as they can when placed in industry.
She continued that the health sector is a large contributor to global warming, with students needing to be open to learning and contributing to creating greener health facilities.
“As you embark on your journey, the health system you are trained into or will be trained into, is completely different. Everything that is happening worldwide does affect our health system,” she says.
She added that Covid-19 has left the system in a state of regeneration and redesign.
The postgraduate qualifications will only be offered at the Metro campus to ensure all resources are allocated to these courses.
The various programmes offered in the postgraduate diploma is specifically designed to fill the gaps in specialised nurses in the healthcare system in the country.
Currently, 147 professional nurses are enrolled in a postgraduate programme at WCCN.
Sr Sive Ningiza, a student in Primary Care Nursing, says: “I am currently a professional nurse working in Scottsdene CDC and originally qualified in
2018 at the University of the Western Cape. This year I have started my Advanced Diploma in Primary Care Nursing at the WCCN and will register as a clinical nurse practitioner after completing this course. I am enjoying the course and am looking forward to how it will assist me in being able to manage all patients of all ages holistically.”
Other students enrolled at WCCN are looking forward to completing their qualifications.
Xholani Manakaza, who has been an enrolled nursing assistant (ENA) for nine years before joining the R171 programme, said: “I am a young man from the Eastern Cape and have been in nursing for quite some time as an ENA. Nursing is my calling, as I have a desire to help the needy, relieve pain, promote life and comfort. These are the reasons as to why I chose the WCCN as the college that will make my dreams come true.”
Another student, studying toward a higher certificate in nursing, Latita-lkamva Wright, says she looks forward to making a difference.
“I’m looking forward to being the change in hospitals and helping to ensure that good quality healthcare is offered to patients and that all patients are treated equally. My journey so far has been nothing but adventurous and an eye opener. I have learnt the importance of teamwork and how to practise my passion of helping others. My aim is to be a nurse that will be able to encourage the youth and join the healthcare sector.”
In total, there are 1 036 students across the WCCN’s three campuses in their respective courses, of which 436 have been offered bursaries to study.
Mbombo reiterated: “You must make the most of every opportunity you are given in this institution. As nurses, no matter your discipline or speciality, we are the ones caring for patients at the most vulnerable times of their lives.
“Despite the many challenges that you will face in this career, my hope is that you may remain dedicated and persevere to offer your future patients the best quality of care.”
