(1) (a) Currently, Mental Health Nursing, also known as Psychiatric Nursing Science is offered either as a subject or as a module in a comprehensive programme, or as a stand-alone specialist programme. It is offered in the following ways:
(i) As one of the subjects of the legacy four-year Diploma in Nursing (General, Psychiatric & Community) and Midwifery (R425) that is currently being taught out in public nursing colleges. All 9 public nursing colleges are currently teaching out the R425 diploma programme, which is being taught at their 31 campuses.
(ii) As one of the subjects of the legacy four-year Degree in Nursing (General, Psychiatric & Community) and Midwifery (R425) that is currently being taught out in universities. There are currently 17 universities that are teaching out the R425 degree programme.
(iii) As part of the modules for the new 3-year Diploma in Nursing. To date, 6 public nursing colleges are offering the R171 programme in 24 campuses, whilst 1 university is offering the programme.
(iv) As part of the modules for the new 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Midwifery (R174). To date, 19 universities are offering this programme. 1 college has been accredited for this programme but is not yet offering it.
(v) As a new specialised postgraduate diploma programme (PGD) in Mental Health Nursing). To date, 2 universities have been accredited to offer this programme. 1 college has been accredited for this programme but is not yet offering it.
(b) Table 1 below illustrates the total number of mental health care training facilities in the Republic and in each province.
Table 1: The total number of mental health care training facilities in the Republic and in each province
No. |
Province |
Number of institutions offering the Mental Health Nursing (Psychiatric Nursing) programme per programme |
||||
R425 diploma |
R425 degree |
R171 diploma |
R174 degree |
Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing |
||
1 |
Eastern Cape |
5 college campuses |
3 universities |
Not yet offering |
3 universities |
None |
2 |
Free State |
3 college campuses |
1 university |
3 college campuses |
1 university |
None |
3 |
Gauteng |
3 college campuses |
5 universities |
4 college campuses |
5 universities |
None |
4 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
10 college campuses |
3 universities |
11 college campuses |
3 universities |
None |
5 |
Limpopo |
3 college campuses |
2 universities |
Not yet offered at college; 1 university |
2 universities |
None |
6 |
Mpumalanga |
1 college campus |
None |
1 college campus |
None |
None |
7 |
North West |
2 college campuses |
2 university campuses |
2 college campuses |
2 university campuses |
None |
8 |
Northern Cape |
1 college campus |
None |
Not yet offering |
None |
None |
9 |
Western Cape |
3 college campuses |
1 university |
3 college campuses |
3 universities |
2 universities |
TOTALS IN THE REPUBLIC |
31 college campuses |
17 universities |
24 college campuses, 1 =university |
19 universities |
2 universities |
(2) The outdated criteria for nursing cover for Psychiatric Nursing Science subject in the R425 programme offered by both nursing colleges and universities entailed the following:
(3) (a) In the new nursing programmes, Mental Health Nursing is covered in modules in the 3-year Diploma in Nursing (R171), modules in the 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Midwifery (R174), as well as a speciality Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing programme.
(b) The new programmes mentioned in (a) cover mental health service demands in the following ways:
(i) The 3-year Diploma in Nursing (R171):
(ii) The 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Midwifery (R174) has modules that deal with the following aspects pertaining Mental Health:
(iii) Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Mental Health Nursing is a standalone specialised programme on Mental Health Nursing that covers the following aspects:
END.