Validation of the Integration of HIV and AIDS Related Nursing Competencies into the Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum in South Africa

ABSTRACT

Background: Being in its fourth decade; HIV remains an epidemic that requires combined efforts for the global fight. The strategies planned and implemented in the fight against HIV include reversing and halting the spread of HIV; increasing health care access; and strengthening the health care system. South Africa has made the fight one of its top priorities; and has developed plans to increase the role of nurses in the management of HIV; demonstrating its willingness; commitment and progress in the fight against HIV.Objective: This article presents the validation process conducted to confirm the integration and mapping of the HIV and AIDS related nursing competencies into the four-year Bachelor of Nursing programme at a university in South Africa.Methods: This study adopted a constructivist paradigm; using a qualitative approach; applyingthe design step of the process model of curriculum development; to validate the inte gration of the mapped HIV and AIDS related nursing competencies into the undergraduate nursing curriculum.Results: For each competency; outcomes were developed for each year. Participants confirmed completeness of outcomes and appropriateness of the mapping of the HIV and AIDS related outcomes into the nursing curriculum; as well as the feasibility and practicability of the integration.Conclusion: Required resources for integration of HIV and AIDS related nursing competencies; such as human resources and nurse educators' continued personal development were identified; as well as barriers to integration; and measures to eliminate them were discussed. The importance of integration of HIV and AIDS nursing competencies into the curriculum was reiterated