Table of Contents
How to Qualify and Get Admission to Any Nursing School in Nigeria
In this article, we want to discuss How to qualify and get admission to any nursing school in Nigeria. But before we hit on the subject. Let ’s briefly discuss what nursing as a career is all about.
What Is Nursing?
Nursing is a profession within the health care sector that focus on the care of individuals, families, and communities. As we all know, the ratio of nurses to patients in Nigeria is very low compared to other advanced countries. However, that is why there is a rush for the services of nurses in Nigeria.
What do nurses do? The prevent sufferings of patients, save lives, and prevent complications. Just like Doctors, nurses are sets of people we cannot do without.
How to Become a Nurse in Nigeria
In Nigeria, nursing is one of the highly respected professions. Hence, becoming a nurse is not an easy task. You need to work hard to achieve it. To become a nurse in Nigeria there are two ways in which you can do that.
- By applying to any school of nursing of your choice in Nigeria. It is a 3 years program and after the end of your program, an external exam will be set by the nursing and midwifery council of Nigeria. Passing this exam will make you become a Registered Nurse.
2. By applying for a nursing degree course into any Nigerian universities. It is a 5 years programme. You are also entitled to sit for external exams set by the nursing and midwifery council of Nigeria, the West Africa Health Examination Board after the completion of your programme. On Passing the exams you will become a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Midwife, Registered Public Health Nurse with a Bachelors degree in Nursing (B.Sc Nursing).
At this juncture, let us consider the big question that you may probably be asking. ‘ How do I qualify and get admission into any nursing school in Nigeria?
How to qualify and get admission to any nursing school in Nigeria
If you actually want to become a nurse, note that there are different categories of nursing offered in nursing schools, and the requirement for admission defers depending on the school.
We have simplified these by highlighting the various nursing programme, their qualifications, duration and admission requirements below. Ensure to see the one that best suits your qualification.
1. General Nursing Programme (RN)
Candidates for admission into the General Nursing Education programme of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria must have:
- Senior secondary school certificate (SSCE)
- Or it equivalent with five credits to include English, either physics, chemistry or biology, at not more than two sittings.
- Study Duration: Three (3) Calendar years.
- Registration obtained: Registered Nurse (RN).
2. Post Basic Midwifery Programme (RM)
Candidate must be a Registered Nurse and must also meet all institutional requirements to be admitted into any of the schools of midwifery.
- Duration of study: One (1) Calendar year.
- Registration obtained: Registered Midwife (RM).
3. Post Basic Psychiatric Nursing Programme
Candidate must be a registered nurse and must also meet all institutional requirements to be admitted into any of the eight (8) schools of psychiatric nursing.
- Duration of study: One (1) Calendar year.
- Registration obtained: Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN).
4. Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree Programme (B. N.sc)
Candidate must possess:
- Five Credits Level passes in WASSCE/SSCE
- Or its equivalent at not more than two sittings.
- Subject must include English Language, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics.
- Candidates must also meet all institutional requirements.
- Duration of study: Five (5) Calendar years with a one-year internship in a recognized health care institution.
- Registration obtained: Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Midwife (RM), Registered Public Health Nurse (RPHN) and Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN).
- Academic qualification: Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree (B.N.sc)
