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About the course
Study general nursing through scientific foundations, person-centred care and professional responsibility. The proposed diploma connects care of individuals with family and community needs in Southern Africa. Learners should progress through simulation and assessed clinical practice, with clear expectations for communication, documentation, teamwork and the limits of their role.
What you'll learn
- Explain scientific principles underlying fundamental nursing care.
- Use a nursing process to analyse an approved learning case.
- Communicate accurately and respectfully within a care team.
- Evaluate a supervised care episode and identify an improvement priority.
Requirements
- The approved nursing education provider and Nurses Council of Zimbabwe must determine entry, student registration, progression and clinical eligibility. Science and communication preparation are important. Comparator admission rules have not been transferred, and completion of online theory alone cannot qualify a learner as a registered nurse.
Course content
Sections: 4
•Activities: 1
•Resources: 20
Subjects in this programme
The subjects are grouped by learning stage, from foundations to specialist study and supervised application. Complete earlier foundations before the related advanced work. Clinical, laboratory, field and workplace subjects use approved facilities and supervision appropriate to the programme.
20 subjects are listed below, with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Stage 1: Foundations
- Human Anatomy. Examine body organisation, musculoskeletal structures and their relationship within human anatomy. The subject develops thoracic structures and abdominal structures, then examines nervous structures and anatomical relationships. Study approved anatomical models and images in a supervised setting.
- Human Physiology. Develop your understanding of human physiology through homeostasis and cardiovascular function. The subject develops respiration and renal function, then examines endocrine regulation and nervous function. Interpret physiological teaching data and supervised non-invasive demonstrations.
- Microbiology. Study microbial diversity and cell function as foundations for microbiology. The subject develops growth concepts and microbial ecology, then examines quality controls and biosafety. Use approved images, datasets and low-risk supervised teaching materials.
- Fundamental Nursing. Examine nursing process, person-centred care and their relationship within fundamental nursing. The subject develops basic needs and observation, then examines documentation and infection prevention. Practise approved nursing skills in simulation under qualified supervision.
- Health Ethics and Professional Practice. Develop your understanding of health ethics and professional practice through consent and confidentiality. The subject develops scope of practice and equity, then examines professional accountability and ethical reasoning. Discuss a simulated ethical dilemma with attention to patient rights.
- Clinical Communication. Study listening and plain language as foundations for clinical communication. The subject develops cultural context and shared information, then examines team handover and documentation. Practise communication in supervised simulation using fictional cases.
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
- General Pathology. Examine cell injury, inflammation and their relationship within general pathology. The subject develops repair and neoplasia, then examines circulatory disturbances and disease mechanisms. Analyse de-identified teaching cases using approved pathology images.
- Pharmacology. Develop your understanding of pharmacology through drug action and pharmacokinetics. The subject develops therapeutic classes and adverse effects, then examines interactions and responsible medicine use. Analyse de-identified medicine teaching cases within authorised learner scope.
- Adult Medical and Surgical Nursing. Study assessment and care planning as foundations for adult medical and surgical nursing. The subject develops common conditions and perioperative care, then examines rehabilitation and continuity. Participate in approved supervised adult-nursing placements.
- Child and Family Nursing. Examine growth and development, family partnership and their relationship within child and family nursing. The subject develops child assessment and common care needs, then examines prevention and safeguarding. Use supervised simulation and approved child-health nursing placements.
- Mental Health Nursing. Develop your understanding of mental health nursing through therapeutic relationships and nursing assessment. The subject develops care planning and recovery support, then examines rights and continuity. Participate in approved supervised mental-health nursing learning.
- Midwifery Foundations. Study reproductive science and maternity assessment concepts as foundations for midwifery foundations. The subject develops respectful care and maternal wellbeing, then examines newborn transition and professional responsibilities. Practise approved midwifery simulation and case discussion.
- Community Health Nursing. Examine community assessment, primary care and their relationship within community health nursing. The subject develops prevention and home context, then examines family support and service coordination. Undertake authorised supervised community nursing learning.
- Clinical Skills Foundations. Develop your understanding of clinical skills foundations through patient interaction and structured assessment. The subject develops observation and documentation, then examines infection prevention and escalation. Practise approved skills in simulation before authorised clinical exposure.
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
- Public Health Foundations. Study population health and social determinants as foundations for public health foundations. The subject develops prevention and primary care, then examines health systems and equity. Analyse a regional population-health problem using approved public evidence.
- Nursing Unit Management. Examine care organisation, staffing and their relationship within nursing unit management. The subject develops delegation and records, then examines quality and professional development. Analyse a nursing-unit case with permissioned or synthetic records.
- Research Methods. Develop your understanding of research methods through research questions and literature review. The subject develops study design and data collection, then examines ethics and interpretation. Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
- Integrated Supervised Clinical Practice. Study approved clinical roles and care coordination as foundations for integrated supervised clinical practice. The subject develops case reasoning and observed competence, then examines professional feedback and reflection. Complete an approved placement with qualified clinical supervision and authenticated records.
- Project Development and Feasibility. Examine problem definition, evidence review and their relationship within project development and feasibility. The subject develops requirements and method selection, then examines feasibility and evaluation criteria. Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
- Integrated Project and Technical Report. Develop your understanding of integrated project and technical report through implementation and evidence collection. The subject develops analysis and verification, then examines limitations and communication. Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Assessment and practical learning
- Proposed assessment: written case analyses, knowledge assessments and discussion of evidence and professional responsibilities.
- Observed simulation followed by assessed practice at an approved clinical site, with an authenticated competence portfolio.
- An applied service or evidence-review project. Clinical and final assessment requirements must be approved by the education provider and relevant regulator.
Practical application
An approved nursing education provider must arrange suitable clinical placements, qualified supervisors and direct assessment. Learners need authenticated practice records and formal progression decisions. Moodle supports preparation and reflection. Neither this outline nor an online examination establishes registration as a general nurse.
Subject descriptions
Each subject below includes its purpose, learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment approach.
Human Anatomy
Stage 1: Foundations
Examine body organisation, musculoskeletal structures and their relationship within human anatomy. The subject develops thoracic structures and abdominal structures, then examines nervous structures and anatomical relationships. Study approved anatomical models and images in a supervised setting.
Learning outcomes
- Explain body organisation and musculoskeletal structures using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving thoracic structures and abdominal structures.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing nervous structures and anatomical relationships.
Main topics
- Body organisation
- Musculoskeletal structures
- Thoracic structures
- Abdominal structures
- Nervous structures
- Anatomical relationships
Practical task
Study approved anatomical models and images in a supervised setting.
Assessment
Submit an annotated anatomy portfolio and identification assessment.
Human Physiology
Stage 1: Foundations
Develop your understanding of human physiology through homeostasis and cardiovascular function. The subject develops respiration and renal function, then examines endocrine regulation and nervous function. Interpret physiological teaching data and supervised non-invasive demonstrations.
Learning outcomes
- Explain homeostasis and cardiovascular function using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving respiration and renal function.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing endocrine regulation and nervous function.
Main topics
- Homeostasis
- Cardiovascular function
- Respiration
- Renal function
- Endocrine regulation
- Nervous function
Practical task
Interpret physiological teaching data and supervised non-invasive demonstrations.
Assessment
Submit a function-based case analysis and data interpretation.
Microbiology
Stage 1: Foundations
Study microbial diversity and cell function as foundations for microbiology. The subject develops growth concepts and microbial ecology, then examines quality controls and biosafety. Use approved images, datasets and low-risk supervised teaching materials.
Learning outcomes
- Explain microbial diversity and cell function using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving growth concepts and microbial ecology.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing quality controls and biosafety.
Main topics
- Microbial diversity
- Cell function
- Growth concepts
- Microbial ecology
- Quality controls
- Biosafety
Practical task
Use approved images, datasets and low-risk supervised teaching materials.
Assessment
Submit a microbiology portfolio explaining evidence and biosafety limits.
Fundamental Nursing
Stage 1: Foundations
Examine nursing process, person-centred care and their relationship within fundamental nursing. The subject develops basic needs and observation, then examines documentation and infection prevention. Practise approved nursing skills in simulation under qualified supervision.
Learning outcomes
- Explain nursing process and person-centred care using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving basic needs and observation.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing documentation and infection prevention.
Main topics
- Nursing process
- Person-centred care
- Basic needs
- Observation
- Documentation
- Infection prevention
Practical task
Practise approved nursing skills in simulation under qualified supervision.
Assessment
Complete observed skills assessments and a reflective portfolio.
Health Ethics and Professional Practice
Stage 1: Foundations
Develop your understanding of health ethics and professional practice through consent and confidentiality. The subject develops scope of practice and equity, then examines professional accountability and ethical reasoning. Discuss a simulated ethical dilemma with attention to patient rights.
Learning outcomes
- Explain consent and confidentiality using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving scope of practice and equity.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing professional accountability and ethical reasoning.
Main topics
- Consent
- Confidentiality
- Scope of practice
- Equity
- Professional accountability
- Ethical reasoning
Practical task
Discuss a simulated ethical dilemma with attention to patient rights.
Assessment
Submit a justified ethical decision and professional reflection.
Clinical Communication
Stage 1: Foundations
Study listening and plain language as foundations for clinical communication. The subject develops cultural context and shared information, then examines team handover and documentation. Practise communication in supervised simulation using fictional cases.
Learning outcomes
- Explain listening and plain language using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving cultural context and shared information.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing team handover and documentation.
Main topics
- Listening
- Plain language
- Cultural context
- Shared information
- Team handover
- Documentation
Practical task
Practise communication in supervised simulation using fictional cases.
Assessment
Complete an observed communication exercise and reflective record.
General Pathology
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
Examine cell injury, inflammation and their relationship within general pathology. The subject develops repair and neoplasia, then examines circulatory disturbances and disease mechanisms. Analyse de-identified teaching cases using approved pathology images.
Learning outcomes
- Explain cell injury and inflammation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving repair and neoplasia.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing circulatory disturbances and disease mechanisms.
Main topics
- Cell injury
- Inflammation
- Repair
- Neoplasia
- Circulatory disturbances
- Disease mechanisms
Practical task
Analyse de-identified teaching cases using approved pathology images.
Assessment
Submit a mechanism-based pathology report.
Pharmacology
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
Develop your understanding of pharmacology through drug action and pharmacokinetics. The subject develops therapeutic classes and adverse effects, then examines interactions and responsible medicine use. Analyse de-identified medicine teaching cases within authorised learner scope.
Learning outcomes
- Explain drug action and pharmacokinetics using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving therapeutic classes and adverse effects.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing interactions and responsible medicine use.
Main topics
- Drug action
- Pharmacokinetics
- Therapeutic classes
- Adverse effects
- Interactions
- Responsible medicine use
Practical task
Analyse de-identified medicine teaching cases within authorised learner scope.
Assessment
Submit a pharmacological reasoning report and knowledge assessment.
Adult Medical and Surgical Nursing
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
Study assessment and care planning as foundations for adult medical and surgical nursing. The subject develops common conditions and perioperative care, then examines rehabilitation and continuity. Participate in approved supervised adult-nursing placements.
Learning outcomes
- Explain assessment and care planning using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving common conditions and perioperative care.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing rehabilitation and continuity.
Main topics
- Assessment
- Care planning
- Common conditions
- Perioperative care
- Rehabilitation
- Continuity
Practical task
Participate in approved supervised adult-nursing placements.
Assessment
Submit authenticated care portfolios and observed practice assessments.
Child and Family Nursing
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
Examine growth and development, family partnership and their relationship within child and family nursing. The subject develops child assessment and common care needs, then examines prevention and safeguarding. Use supervised simulation and approved child-health nursing placements.
Learning outcomes
- Explain growth and development and family partnership using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving child assessment and common care needs.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing prevention and safeguarding.
Main topics
- Growth and development
- Family partnership
- Child assessment
- Common care needs
- Prevention
- Safeguarding
Practical task
Use supervised simulation and approved child-health nursing placements.
Assessment
Complete case-based assessments and observed practice records.
Mental Health Nursing
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
Develop your understanding of mental health nursing through therapeutic relationships and nursing assessment. The subject develops care planning and recovery support, then examines rights and continuity. Participate in approved supervised mental-health nursing learning.
Learning outcomes
- Explain therapeutic relationships and nursing assessment using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving care planning and recovery support.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing rights and continuity.
Main topics
- Therapeutic relationships
- Nursing assessment
- Care planning
- Recovery support
- Rights
- Continuity
Practical task
Participate in approved supervised mental-health nursing learning.
Assessment
Submit a care portfolio and reflective communication assessment.
Midwifery Foundations
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
Study reproductive science and maternity assessment concepts as foundations for midwifery foundations. The subject develops respectful care and maternal wellbeing, then examines newborn transition and professional responsibilities. Practise approved midwifery simulation and case discussion.
Learning outcomes
- Explain reproductive science and maternity assessment concepts using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving respectful care and maternal wellbeing.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing newborn transition and professional responsibilities.
Main topics
- Reproductive science
- Maternity assessment concepts
- Respectful care
- Maternal wellbeing
- Newborn transition
- Professional responsibilities
Practical task
Practise approved midwifery simulation and case discussion.
Assessment
Complete knowledge assessments and observed simulation records.
Community Health Nursing
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
Examine community assessment, primary care and their relationship within community health nursing. The subject develops prevention and home context, then examines family support and service coordination. Undertake authorised supervised community nursing learning.
Learning outcomes
- Explain community assessment and primary care using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving prevention and home context.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing family support and service coordination.
Main topics
- Community assessment
- Primary care
- Prevention
- Home context
- Family support
- Service coordination
Practical task
Undertake authorised supervised community nursing learning.
Assessment
Submit a community case study and authenticated practice record.
Clinical Skills Foundations
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
Develop your understanding of clinical skills foundations through patient interaction and structured assessment. The subject develops observation and documentation, then examines infection prevention and escalation. Practise approved skills in simulation before authorised clinical exposure.
Learning outcomes
- Explain patient interaction and structured assessment using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving observation and documentation.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing infection prevention and escalation.
Main topics
- Patient interaction
- Structured assessment
- Observation
- Documentation
- Infection prevention
- Escalation
Practical task
Practise approved skills in simulation before authorised clinical exposure.
Assessment
Complete observed assessments and a supervisor-authenticated skills portfolio.
Public Health Foundations
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
Study population health and social determinants as foundations for public health foundations. The subject develops prevention and primary care, then examines health systems and equity. Analyse a regional population-health problem using approved public evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Explain population health and social determinants using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving prevention and primary care.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing health systems and equity.
Main topics
- Population health
- Social determinants
- Prevention
- Primary care
- Health systems
- Equity
Practical task
Analyse a regional population-health problem using approved public evidence.
Assessment
Submit a needs assessment and prevention proposal.
Nursing Unit Management
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
Examine care organisation, staffing and their relationship within nursing unit management. The subject develops delegation and records, then examines quality and professional development. Analyse a nursing-unit case with permissioned or synthetic records.
Learning outcomes
- Explain care organisation and staffing using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving delegation and records.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing quality and professional development.
Main topics
- Care organisation
- Staffing
- Delegation
- Records
- Quality
- Professional development
Practical task
Analyse a nursing-unit case with permissioned or synthetic records.
Assessment
Submit a unit-improvement plan and professional reflection.
Research Methods
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
Develop your understanding of research methods through research questions and literature review. The subject develops study design and data collection, then examines ethics and interpretation. Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
Learning outcomes
- Explain research questions and literature review using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving study design and data collection.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing ethics and interpretation.
Main topics
- Research questions
- Literature review
- Study design
- Data collection
- Ethics
- Interpretation
Practical task
Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
Assessment
Submit a proposal, methods rationale and ethics considerations.
Integrated Supervised Clinical Practice
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
Study approved clinical roles and care coordination as foundations for integrated supervised clinical practice. The subject develops case reasoning and observed competence, then examines professional feedback and reflection. Complete an approved placement with qualified clinical supervision and authenticated records.
Learning outcomes
- Explain approved clinical roles and care coordination using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving case reasoning and observed competence.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing professional feedback and reflection.
Main topics
- Approved clinical roles
- Care coordination
- Case reasoning
- Observed competence
- Professional feedback
- Reflection
Practical task
Complete an approved placement with qualified clinical supervision and authenticated records.
Assessment
Pass direct clinical assessments and submit a reflective competence portfolio.
Project Development and Feasibility
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
Examine problem definition, evidence review and their relationship within project development and feasibility. The subject develops requirements and method selection, then examines feasibility and evaluation criteria. Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem definition and evidence review using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving requirements and method selection.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing feasibility and evaluation criteria.
Main topics
- Problem definition
- Evidence review
- Requirements
- Method selection
- Feasibility
- Evaluation criteria
Practical task
Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
Assessment
Submit a proposal, evidence review and evaluation plan.
Integrated Project and Technical Report
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
Develop your understanding of integrated project and technical report through implementation and evidence collection. The subject develops analysis and verification, then examines limitations and communication. Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Learning outcomes
- Explain implementation and evidence collection using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving analysis and verification.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing limitations and communication.
Main topics
- Implementation
- Evidence collection
- Analysis
- Verification
- Limitations
- Communication
Practical task
Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Assessment
Submit the final project, report and individual oral defence.
Instructors
Enrolment options
National Diploma in Nursing Science (General Registered Nursing)
Course modified date: 13 September 2026
Study general nursing through scientific foundations, person-centred care and professional responsibility. The proposed diploma connects care of individuals with family and community needs in Southern Africa. Learners should progress through simulation and assessed clinical practice, with clear expectations for communication, documentation, teamwork and the limits of their role.
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