School of Health Care Sciences

The Department of Nursing Science offers Master of Nursing (MNurs) and Doctoral (PhD) programmes.

Qualified candidates can be employed in the following areas:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Occupational industries such as mines or other companies
• Nursing Education Institutions

The teaching strategy adopted is Outcome Based Education; the following is used to achieve the outcomes.

• Problem-based learning activities are given to encourage learners to engage in problem-solving of work-related problems, which will develop their thinking and reasoning skills.
• Self-directed learning is used so that the learners can take responsibility for carrying all activities related to their learning independently.
• Facilitation in a class by lectures is used whereby learners are engaged in building up knowledge by interacting with colleagues and facilitators during training.
• E-learning techniques such as blackboard and the use of library services are encouraged to enable learning through technology.
• Case studies in hospitals, clinics, occupational centres (mines, old age homes, disability centres) and clinics.
• The students will be allocated to the above experiential learning centres so that they gain experience and more knowledge and accumulate practical hours as required by the South Africa Nursing Council.

The clinical skills laboratory provides a platform for clinical training for nursing students. The students attend a demonstration of the skill thereafter teaching to correlate theory and practice before they can be allocated to the clinical areas.

Contact Details

Dr ME Mathapo-Thobakgale
Clinical Coordinator
Tel: 015 268 4241
Email:  mokgobola.thobakgale@ul.ac.za

• Moletši Centre for the intellectually disabled Children – the main goal was to build a daycare centre to train the intellectually disabled so they could eventually become independent and self-reliant and train and teach the parents and the community how to care, treat and rehabilitate these intellectually disabled. The department also participates in Ubuntu community engagement and research projects with the University of Pretoria and other institutions of Higher education. Coordinating Phelophepha activities for nursing students in collaboration with other higher educational institutions.

The studies conducted in the Department of Nursing Science focus on nursing and nurses’ practice in the Primary Clinical area related to knowledge and skills in the Management of Acute and chronic disease conditions that include HIV and AIDS care. They also focus on, primary clinical care and strategies to implement policy related to care and practice of nurses in rural health services, child nursing and Non-communicable Diseases, Mental Health, Nursing Education, Community Nursing, Midwifery, and Occupational health.

The Research publications for the past five years

1. Coleman, T., Till, S., Farao, J., Shandu, L., Khuzwayo, N., Muthelo, L., Mbombi, M., Bopape, M., van Heerden, A., Mothiba, T. and Norris, S., 2023. Reconsidering priorities for digital maternal and child health: community-centered perspectives from South Africa. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 7(CSCW2), pp.1-31.
2. Gina, N.S.V., Rasweswe, M.M. and Moagi, M.M., 2023. Knowledge of Standard Precautions for Preventing Tuberculosis and HIV among Student Nurses in Eswatini University. Gender and Behaviour, 21(1), pp.21536-21552.
3. Hlahla, L.S., Ngoatle, C. and Mothiba, T.M., 2023. Support Needs of Parents of Adolescents Abusing Substances in Selected Hospitals in Limpopo Province. Children, 10(3), p.552.
4. Hlahla, L.S., Ngoatle, C., Kgatla, M.N. and Mathapo-Thobakgale, E.M., 2024. Challenges Faced by University of Limpopo Learner Nurses during Psychiatry Clinical Exposure: A Qualitative Study. Nursing Reports, 14(1), pp.164-173.
5. Kgatla, M.N., Mothiba, T.M., Malema, R.N., Makgahlela, M. and Sodi, T., 2022. Self-management Strategies for Patients with Risk Factors to Reduce the Impact of Cardiovascular Disease in Selected Clinics in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The Open Public Health Journal, 15(1).
6. Kgatla, M.N., Mothiba, T.M., Malema, R.N., Makgahlela, M., Sodi, T., Mphekgwane, P. and Monyeki, D.K., 2023. Perceived enablers and barriers to the implementation of CVDs behavioural interventions by community health workers: Rural Communities in South Africa Ga-Molepo and Seshego areas of Polokwane Municipality of Limpopo Province.
7. Mabila, L.N., Muthelo, L., Mbombi, M.O., Mphekgwana, P.M., Mashaba, R.G., Ntimana, C.B., Seakamela, K.P., Tlouyamma, J., Dhau, I., Nemuramba, R. and Mothapo, K., 2023. Mental health needs among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls and young women in South Africa: A scoping review. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 27(2), pp.101-129.
8. Mbombi, M.O., Muthelo, L., Mphekgwane, P., Dhau, I., Tlouyamma, J., Nemuramba, R., Mashaba, R.G., Mothapo, K. and Maimela, E., 2022. Prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in a rural setting: a case study of DIMAMO health and demographic surveillance site, Limpopo province of South Africa. Journal of Respiration, 2(2), pp.101-110.
9. Mbombi, M.O., Ophilia, M.D., Bopape, M.A. and Muthelo, L., 2023. Obstacles in the Nursing Training Programs.
10. Mohlala, K.M., Muthelo, L., Mathebula, M.G., Mbombi, M.O., Ntho, T.A. and Phukubye, T.A., 2023. Clinical Equipment as a Potential Impediment to Optimal Intrapartum Monitoring and Delivery for Pregnant Women in South Africa. Women, 3(2), pp.335-347.
11. Motlhokodi, M.D., Ramavhoya, T.I. and Peu, M.D., 2023. Experiences of women of childbearing age regarding Implanon provision in South Africa. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 15(1), p.3860.
12. Muthelo, L., Mbombi, M.O., Mphekgwana, P., Mabila, L.N., Dhau, I., Tlouyamma, J., Nemuramba, R., Mashaba, R.G., Mothapo, K., Ntimana, C.B. and Maimela, E., 2023. Exploring roles of stakeholders in combating substance abuse in the DIMAMO Surveillance Site, South Africa. Substance abuse: research and treatment, 17, p.11782218221147498.
13. Muthelo, L., Ntho, T.A., Mbombi, M.O., Phukubye, T.A., Bopape, M.A. and Mothiba, T.M., 2023. A Qualitative Study on Voices of South African Learner Nurses on Occupational Health and Safety during Clinical Learning: Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic. Nursing Reports, 13(1), pp.96-108.
14. Muthelo, L., Sinyegwe, N.F., Phukubye, T.A., Mbombi, M.O., Ntho, T.A. and Mothiba, T.M., 2023, March. Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Its Effects amongst Nurses in the Selected Intellectual Disability Unit of the Limpopo Province. In Healthcare (Vol. 11, No. 5, p. 777). MDPI.
15. Mutshatshi, T.E. and Munyai, V., 2022. Challenges Experienced By Primary Health Care Nurses Rendering 24 Hours Service at Designated Clinics in Musina Local Area, Limpopo Province. The Open Public Health Journal, 15(1).
16. Mutshatshi, T.E., Mothiba, T.M. and Malema, R.N., 2022. Exploration of In-Service Training Needs for Nurses Implementing the Nursing Process at Regional Hospitals of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The Open Public Health Journal, 15(1).
17. Mutshatshi, T.E., Mothiba, T.M. and Mamogobo, P.M., 2020. Exploring Professional Nurses’ Use of the Nursing Process at Selected Public Hospitals in Limpopo, South Africa. Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 22(2), pp.14-pages.
18. Ngoatle, C., Hlahla, L.S., Mphasha, M.H., Mothiba, T.M. and Themane, M.J., 2023. Does Health Literacy Have an Impact on Adherence to Diabetes Mellitus Treatment?. Endocrines, 4(1), pp.82-92.
19. Ntho, T.A., Pienaar, A.J. and Sehularo, L.A., 2023. Significance of the Peer Group Clinical Mentoring Programme in Preparing Nursing Student Mentees for the Future Practice: Qualitative Retrospective Case Study. In The 10th Focus Conference (TFC 2023) (pp. 112-127). Atlantis Press.
20. Ntimana, C.B., Seakamela, K.P., Mashaba, G.R., Mbombi, M.O., Tlouyamma, J., Mphekgwana, M.P., Nemuramba, R., Mothapo, K., Muthelo, L., Mabila, L.N. and Dhau, I., Prevalence and Associated factors of probable depression amongst pregnant and parenting young females: a comparison of adolescents and young adults in rural South Africa. Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2, p.1200759.
21. Phukubye, T.A., Ntho, T.A., Muthelo, L., Mbombi, M.O., Bopape, M.A. and Mothiba, T.M., 2023. Is the Triage System Welcomed in the Tertiary Hospital of the Limpopo Province? A Qualitative Study on Patient’s Perceptions. Nursing Reports, 13(1), pp.351-364.
22. Ramavhoya, T.I., Maputle, M.S. and Lebese, T.R., 2022. Developing and prioritising strategies to improve the implementation of maternal healthcare guidelines in South Africa: The nominal group technique. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 14(1), pp.1-8.
23. Ramphisa, M.J., Rasweswe, M.M., Mooa, R.S. and Seretlo, R.J., 2023. The support systems offered by the sexual partners of people living with HIV/AIDS: A qualitative study. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, p.100562.
24. Rasweswe, M.M., 2023. Lekgotla Discussion as a Decolonized Qualitative Methodology: A Lesson From a Workshop Conducted to Formulate and Verify the Strategies in Botlokwa Village, Limpopo, South Africa. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, p.16094069231183591.
25. Rasweswe, M.M., Peu, M.D. and Mulaudzi, F.M., 2023. The importance of local language in healthcare: Naming and defining dysmenorrhea. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 16(2), pp.205-214.
26. Sono-Setati, M.E., Mphekgwana, P.M., Mabila, L.N., Mbombi, M.O., Muthelo, L., Matlala, S.F., Tshitangano, T.G. and Ramalivhana, N.J., 2022, July. Health System-and Patient-Related Factors Associated with COVID-19 Mortality among Hospitalized Patients in Limpopo Province of South Africa’s Public Hospitals. In Healthcare(Vol. 10, No. 7, p. 1338). MDPI.
27. Sumbane, G.O., Mothiba, T.M., Modula, M.J., Mutshatshi, T.E. and Manamela, L.E., 2023. The McKinsey’s 7-S model framework for assessment of challenges faced by teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders in the Limpopo province, South Africa. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 13(1), pp.1-11.]
28. Thaba-Nkadimene, K.L., Makwara, C., Mzindle, D., Lebepe, M., Rabodiba, M.S., Malatji, M., Letsoalo, A.M., Kganakga, I., Ramaboka, M.E., Manamelam, G. and Mamogobo, P., 2021. The Influence of COVID-19 Lockdown on Women in the Academy in One Rural University in South Africa. African Journal of Gender, Society & Development, 10(3), p.243.
29. Till, S., Farao, J., Coleman, T.L., Shandu, L.D., Khuzwayo, N., Muthelo, L., Mbombi, M.O., Bopane, M., Motlhatlhedi, M., Mabena, G. and Van Heerden, A., 2022, August. Community-based co-design across geographic locations and cultures: methodological lessons from co-design workshops in South Africa. In Proceedings of the Participatory Design Conference 2022-Volume 1 (pp. 120-132).