Nursing is one of the most sought-after professions across the globe. Do you want to become a registered nurse in Nigeria and follow the right route? This is a detailed guide that will help you become one.
In this guide, you will;
- Learn who a Registered Nurse is
- What nurses really do
- Pathways to study nursing in Nigeria
- Nursing opportunities
Let’s get started.
Who is a registered nurse?
In simplest of terms, a registered nurse is someone (male or female) who has undergone professional and academic training (either in the University or School of nursing) and has been certified by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to practice as a nurse.
PLEASE NOTE: Registered Nurses are not trained in private hospitals or Ile Abiyes. Those trained in private hospitals are Auxiliary nurses (sometimes we refer to them as quacks) and are supposed to be under the supervision of a registered nurse.
What do nurses do exactly?
Nurses (registered nurses) do so may things. They work and act beyond the border of hospitals and clinics. Some of the things nurses do are:
- Collaborate with other health professionals to give the best care to patients
- Manages and oversees the patients’ care
- Can head a hospital – yes, they can be the MD of a teaching hospital
- They can work with medical research team
- They can be authors and publishers of health contents
- They work as health educators
- And so much more.
Nurses duties are not limited to the hospital alone.
Pathways to become a registered nurse in Nigeria
There is a two major ways to study nursing in Nigeria. If you choose to become a registered nurse in Nigeria, you can consider one of the pathways below.
(A). Nursing in the University Pathway
You can become a registered by going to the University. There are some universities in Nigeria that offer nursing science such as University of Ibadan, OAU, LAUTECH and so on.
The requirements to study nursing in the university
- Must a science student in your secondary school
- Must have the required subjects in your WAEC/NECO result (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English and Mathematics)
- Must have the required JAMB score according to the university you want to go to.
How long is nursing in Nigerian university?
All things being equal, no strike and no carry-over, nursing in Nigeria university is 5 years.
What will be awarded in the university?
You will have your BNSc degree which also include your RN plus other specializations you may choose to do. Then you have the opportunity to serve (NYSC) and do your Nursing internship.
(B). School of Nursing Pathway
You can become a registered by going to School of Nursing. Schools of Nursing are most times attached to a Teaching Hospital and sometimes Ministry of Health. And it can be a private school of nursing. See the list of accredited schools of nursing in Ekiti here.
The requirements to study nursing in School of Nursing
- Must a science student in your secondary school
- Must have the required subjects in your WAEC/NECO result (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English and Mathematics)
- No need for JAMB
How long is nursing in School of Nursing?
It will take you 3 solid years to study nursing in the School of Nursing.. There is no strike. The delay can be if you fail or something bad happen to you or your school.
What is awarded in School of Nursing?
RN (Registered Nurse) certificate and License to practice anywhere in the world. There is no Nursing internship or NYSC. For your degree, you can then proceed to university to bag your Nursing Degree (either part-time or full-time study).
Nursing opportunities in Nigeria
As said earlier, nursing is one of the most sought-after profession in the world. Some of the opportunities you get as a nurse are;
- Travelling out is easier. You can choose to practice the profession in foreign countries
- You can do multiple jobs
- You are not limited to the hospital environment
- Setting of of businesses like Hospital, clinic, pharmacy, etc is easier
- And more…
Wrapping up how to become a registered nurse in Nigeria
if you made it to the end of this article, you have learned the best way to become a professional nurse in Nigeria, what nurses do and opportunities that are open to nurses. If you are planning or thinking about studying nursing in Nigeria or anywhere you are, it is the best choice you can ever make. Go for it. We wish you success and we hope to connect with you in future.
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