Course dates: Course runs for 10 weeks twice a year. Next course 3rd March - 11th May 2025.

Applications for the 2025 course are now closed. Please watch are social media pages for adverts for further courses.  

Admission requirements
All 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 need to have completed relevant basic training and be suitably registered with the appropriate professional body.
• Be working in a paediatric setting where they regularly or occasionally, are involved in the care of children with a tracheostomy, and their families OR in a predominantly adult setting where, at times, are involved in the care of children with a tracheostomy, and their families.
• Have easy and regular access to a computer (not just a smartphone) and reliable, strong internet connection. Access to a printer may also be beneficial on occasion.  

It is highly recommended that applicants first complete the 16-week Essentials of Nursing Sick Children or Critically Sick Children short course to gain key foundational knowledge.

Course Content

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

1. Articulate their role, within the complex system and environments in which children with tracheostomies are nursed to ensure safe and efficient care for best possible outcomes.
2. Explain the anatomical, physiological and developmental differences across the age-span of a child, and how this impacts the indication for a tracheostomy, the procedure and the required nature of care.
3. More confidently provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care to children with a tracheostomy using the Regul8 Framework as a guide.
4. Recognise and utilise the important supportive role and resource of the principal caregiver and family in the pathway of a child with a tracheostomy. 

N.B. It is to be noted that the course contains information relevant to all health professionals working with children with tracheostomies but it is written by nurses, with a focus on nursing.

Course weeks
Weeks 1- 10

Format:
The courses are all offered FULLY ONLINE asynchronously using Vula or Amathuba (UCT’s electronic learning platforms).  

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.

Course offered in English.

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Certification:
A UCT Certificate of Completion will be awarded to those that have completed all learning activities and completed and submitted the Submission Activity for feedback to a suitable standard.

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To apply: click here
We encourage you to apply as soon as the advert for each intake is released. Places on the course are limited and offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

Fees:
R4,900 (Includes full online access to course material and support from Specialist Children’s Nurse Educators).

N.B. If offered a place, FULL payment is required within approx. 5 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. To apply for a bursary, tick the appropriate box on the application form and submit the following TWO documents to faiza.pearce@uct.ac.za:

1.     A letter of motivation written by yourself explaining why this course will be beneficial to you and your clinical setting
2.    A letter of motivation from your manager explaining why the applicant's completion of the course will be beneficial to the clinical setting

These letters need to be received before the course application closing date. Failure to complete this process will make one ineligible for a bursary. Please note that there are only a limited number of bursaries available and an application for a bursary does not guarantee receipt of one.