How To Gain Admission Into All Schools Of Nursing In Nigeria
Gaining admission into schools and colleges of nursing can sometimes be a frustrating experience, as many past applicants and current students can attest. If you’re new to the world of nursing schools and want to secure a spot in their next admission list, there are a few crucial things you should know. This post will provide you with helpful steps, insights, adjustments, and strategies that can significantly increase your chances of gaining admission into any nursing school or college in Nigeria.
In this detailed discussion, we will cover the following key areas and more:
- How to gain admission into nursing schools without meeting the prerequisites
- Admission requirements for nursing schools
- The application process for nursing schools in Nigeria
- Nursing school application deadlines for the year
- High school requirements for nursing schools and colleges
- Optimal timing for applying to nursing schools
Let’s delve into each of these topics in-depth.
Unlike universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education that require JAMB in addition to O’level results, nursing schools only require the SSCE results (e.g., WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB). However, some polytechnics and colleges offering ND/HND in Nursing may require JAMB UTME, meeting the national or school-specific cutoff marks.
If a nursing school requires UTME, you must have selected that school as a choice during your UTME registration. If you haven’t done so, you can still change your institutions accordingly.
While O’level results are a prerequisite, you don’t necessarily need to obtain credits in all nine or eight subjects. The required subjects are typically English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. You can achieve the five subjects in a single sitting of WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB, or from two sittings of the same or different exams.
A minimum grade of C6 is generally accepted for these five subjects. However, having higher grades (A’s and B’s) can give you an advantage over candidates with lower grades, although not having A’s and B’s should not hinder your chances of admission. Having credits is sufficient.
- Other Important Prerequisites for Nursing School Admissions
In addition to the established prerequisites, there are a few underrated requirements that you should be aware of:
A. Age:
The minimum age requirement for admission into nursing schools is usually 16, as stated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). However, some colleges may have specific age requirements. It’s essential to read the adverts of your intended nursing school to know the age requirement. Check the advertisements of the top nursing schools before proceeding. Many nursing schools do not have maximum age limitations.
B. Pregnancy:
While being married is not an issue for seeking admission, being pregnant at the time of application, screening, or admission is generally not accepted by nursing schools. However, if you become pregnant after being admitted or during the program, there may be special provisions by the school and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to accommodate you. The detailed protocols can be found in the linked post.
C. No Gender Limitation:
Nursing schools and colleges do not have limitations based on gender. Both male and female applicants have equal chances of admission. Although some schools may prefer admitting more females than males, they will still admit qualified male applicants.
- Application and Admission Procedures for Nursing Schools
Now let’s discuss the step-by-step guide to seeking and gaining admission into nursing schools and colleges in Nigeria:
A. Obtain the Entrance Form:
To initiate the nursing school admission process, you need to acquire the admission form from your chosen school. The specific dates for form sales may vary among schools, but generally, they are available from March to August each year. It’s crucial to follow the updates from individual nursing schools within this period.
If the nursing school offers ND/HND in Nursing (as opposed to Registered Nursing), you will be required to obtain the JAMB form for that year, even if you didn’t initially select the school as a JAMB choice.
Most nursing schools have dedicated websites where you can purchase or obtain their forms. Ensure you are on the official websites to avoid scams from fraudsters on online platforms like forums, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram groups. It’s advisable to use trusted and professional cafes for online transactions.
Application fees are typically paid through online platforms on their websites. Avoid paying to agents or individual accounts.
While filling out the online form, you will provide your bio-data, educational details, and O’level subjects and grades. After submission, you should receive a printout containing your application number and sometimes the exam date.
B. Prepare for and Attend the Entrance Exams:
Almost all nursing schools conduct entrance exams, whether in a paper-and-pencil format or computer-based tests. You need to prepare for these exams, which usually consist of objective questions in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and sometimes general health-related topics. Past questions and answers from nursing schools can help you familiarize yourself with the exam format.
Your exam results will determine your eligibility for the next stage of the admission process. Schools may set a cutoff mark, such as 50% or above, for proceeding to the interview stage or a second test stage.
C. Prepare for and Attend the Interview:
Interviews are conducted by all nursing schools before the final admission list is released. The interview format may vary, but expect to be evaluated based on your dress, fluency, communication skills, ability to answer direct questions about Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and current health-related affairs.
Your performance in the interview, along with the test results, will determine whether you are offered admission. Some schools evaluate the interview independently, while others combine the interview performance with the test scores to determine the final aggregate score or performance.
If you meet the required score or point, you should expect to be on the school’s merit list.
Is “Connections” Necessary for Nursing School Admission?
Some candidates have expressed concerns about needing connections to secure admission into nursing schools. The answer to this question is both YES and NO.
It’s NO because every school has a merit list consisting of students who have excelled in the tests and interviews, meeting or surpassing the required cutoff marks set by the management. These candidates are admitted solely based on their performance, without any personal connections or influence.
However, candidates who perform averagely may benefit from internal assistance. This applies not only to nursing schools but also to universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education when average students seek admission.
As long as a nursing school releases test and interview scores, they cannot hide favoritism if they deny deserving candidates who meet the criteria.
However, some nursing schools, particularly state-owned institutions, may be less transparent in their admission processes, potentially denying even those who score 100% in both the test and interview. These schools may be particularly challenging to secure admission into.
Another factor contributing to the denial of admission to deserving candidates is the limited quotas assigned to nursing schools. Schools can only admit a maximum of 99 students per year, and some may lack the resources to accommodate and train that number. Consequently, they resort to additional weeding exams to reduce the number of admitted students.
Conclusion
Gaining admission into nursing schools is generally more challenging compared to universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education. Although admission to other institutions is not easy either, nursing schools pose additional difficulties. It is essential to thoroughly research and gather information about prospective nursing schools before applying. This knowledge can guide you in approaching the admission process correctly or even avoiding certain schools altogether.
