Date: 8 February 2026 to 3 May 2026
Venue: Fully online with Amathuba (UCT's E- Learning Platform)
Time: 11-week course consisting of a range of teaching and learning activities, requiring approximately 4-5 hours weekly.
Course fee is R 5 760 per person (Includes full online access to course material and support from Specialist Children’s Nurse Educators).
The aim of this course is to equip health professionals, working with children who have sustained a burn injury, with the essential knowledge and skills to confidently provide the most appropriate care to these children and their families, improving injury outcomes and reducing unnecessary long-term morbidity.
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. Applicants from other healthcare professions are also welcome and similarly need to have completed relevant basic training and be suitably registered with the appropriate professional body.
• Be working in a setting (primary, secondary or tertiary) that may assess / admit children with a burn injury.
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. 4-5 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. Explain normal anatomy and physiology of the skin and how this is impacted when a burn injury is incurred.
2. Describe the role of health professionals in the system of care required for children who have sustained a burn injury.
3. More confidently provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care to children with a burn injury, in the acute phase, using the Regul8 Framework as a guide.
4. Discuss the longer-term management and maintenance of the skin and wellbeing of a child who has sustained a burn injury.
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.
We encourage you to apply early as places on the course are limited and offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Last date for applications: Friday 31 October 2025
N.B. If offered a place, FULL payment is required within approx. 4 weeks of the closing date. Failure to make payment by this date will result in loss of your place on the course.
A limited number of bursaries are available – for more information click here.
Disclaimer statement: This course serves to introduce nurses working with children with a burn to essential knowledge and skills. An assessment of clinical skills competence in the participant’s clinical setting is recommended.