Date: 15 June to 26 July 2026 
Venue: Fully online with Amathuba (UCT's E- Learning Platform)
Time: 6-week course consisting of a range of teaching and learning activities, requiring approximately 4 hours weekly. An assignment is due each week on a Sunday evening. All activities completed in your own time.

Course fee is R 3 670 per person (full online access to course material and support from specialist children’s nurse educators)

Register Online

Last date for applications: Friday 24 April 2026

This 6-week course aims to equip nurses working with children with a cancer or blood disorder with the essential knowledge and skills to confidently provide appropriate nursing care to these children and their families, thus preventing unnecessary deterioration or avoidable harm, and improve outcomes.

The course is run by the Harry Crossley Children’s Nursing Development Unit in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Cape Town. 

Entry Requirements: Applicants need to:

  • Have completed basic nurse training and be registered with the South African Nursing Council (or equivalent) as a Professional or Enrolled Nurse.
  • Be working with children with a cancer or blood disorder.
  • Have previously completed one of the CNDU 16-week ‘Essentials of Nursing’ short courses OR a CNDU Nursing Postgraduate Diploma.

Course format: The courses are all offered FULLY ONLINE asynchronously through Amathuba (UCT’s learning management system). This means that: 

  • There is no need to be in class, or even online, at any set time in the week. The course can be completed at a time to suit the participant, scheduled around other family/work/life commitments.
  • Each participant requires easy and regular access to a computer (not just a smartphone) and a reliable, strong internet connection.

Lessons: A new lesson is released each week, on Monday at 08h00 and will require approx. 4 hours of work. Each lesson consists of a set of learning activities and one assignment which is due on Sunday evening. Learning activities and assignments will commonly require engagement with children, families and clinical staff.
All courses are offered in English only.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

1.    Articulate their role, within the complex system and environments in which children are nursed to ensure safe and efficient care for best possible outcomes.
2.    Describe cancers and blood disorders common in the region, and the associated diagnostic and treatment modalities. 
3.    More confidently provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care to a child with a cancer or blood disorder, using the Regul8 Framework as a guide. 
4.    Discuss the communication needs and palliative care required by a child and their family during the journey with a cancer / blood disorder. 

A digital certificate will be issued to participants who have completed and submitted all learning activities and assignments to an adequate standard.

All courses are registered with the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) at UCT. As soon as is viable, they will be registered for South African Nursing Council Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. The courses do not carry any academic credit but are designed at a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 7.

Please note that places on the course are limited. Apply early as places are allocated on a “first come, first served” basis. N.B. If offered a place, FULL payment is required within 4 weeks. Failure to make payment within this time will result in loss of your place. 

A limited number of bursaries are available:  For more information contact cndu@uct.ac.za or visit their website.