List Of Courses/Programs Offered By Colleges Of Nursing
When it comes to universities, we are familiar with the variety of courses they offer, such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Accounting, and Mechanical Engineering. Similarly, polytechnics offer courses like Accountancy, Business Administration, Science Laboratory Technology, Building Tech, Agric Technology, and Architectural Technology.
Now, let’s delve into the realm of nursing schools and colleges. What are the courses offered by these institutions that train and prepare nurses?
This post does not aim to provide a list of specific courses taken during nursing education, such as Basic Nutrition in Nursing, Basic Parasitology, Basic Principles of Chemistry, Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry, Cardiovascular & Respiratory System, or Client Teaching/Counselling Practicum. Instead, its purpose is to list the programs you can apply for or be admitted to if you are interested in attending a nursing school.
In other words, this post will enlist the various programs offered by schools and colleges of nursing that you may consider pursuing.
Schools and colleges of nursing typically offer seven academic programs, depending on the qualifications or certificates required for admission and the available resources for program accreditation. These programs include:
- Basic Nursing
- Basic Midwifery
- Post-Basic Nursing
- Post-Basic Midwifery
- National Diploma in Nursing
- Higher National Diploma in Nursing
- Certificate Courses
Let’s examine each of these programs, the schools that offer them, their requirements, and their prospects.
- Basic Nursing: Almost all schools and colleges of nursing offer Basic Nursing, which is a three-year program that prepares students to become certified Nurses and receive the designation of Registered Nurse (RN). The prerequisite for admission to Basic Nursing usually includes subjects like English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology from any recognized secondary school examination (SSCE), such as WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, or GCE. Upon completion and licensure by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), graduates are qualified to work as staff nurses in hospitals, both locally and internationally.
Examples of nursing schools that still offer Basic Nursing include the School of Nursing Osogbo, Oyo State School of Nursing, and School of Nursing Ido-Ekiti. You can find other schools in the list of those nursing schools that do not require JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) examinations.
It is important to note that over time, some nursing schools may upgrade their Basic Nursing programs to National Diploma in Nursing and offer both concurrently. For instance, the School of Nursing, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife transitioned from offering Basic Nursing to National Diploma in Nursing starting from the 2022/2023 admission session.
- Basic Midwifery: Similar to Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery is a three-year program that trains students to become licensed midwives. While basic midwives may not have the same level of recognition as basic nurses, they are highly regarded in their specialized field. The admission requirements for Basic Midwifery are typically the same as those for Basic Nursing, which include SSCE qualifications from recognized examination bodies. Most schools that offer Basic Nursing also offer Basic Midwifery, so it is common to find both programs available in a particular school.
For example, the School of Nursing Osogbo, Osun State, offers both Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery.
- Post-Basic Nursing: After completing Basic Nursing, individuals have two options for further study. The first option is to pursue a degree in Nursing at a university through direct entry admission facilitated by JAMB. The second option is to enhance their Basic Nursing qualification by enrolling in a post-basic nursing program. This program typically lasts for one to two years and leads to an additional qualification, Registered Midwife (RM), in addition to the Registered Nurse (RN) designation. To be admitted to a post-basic nursing program, candidates must have completed Basic Nursing and possess an SSCE qualification.
- Post-Basic Midwifery: Those who have completed Basic Midwifery and wish to further their studies can consider options like JAMB direct entry or distance learning programs offered by universities that have Nursing programs, such as Ladoke Akintola University’s distance learning program. Alternatively, they can pursue post-basic midwifery, which usually qualifies them to work as general nurses as well. The admission requirements for post-basic midwifery programs include possessing Basic Midwifery qualifications and an SSCE certificate.
Most schools that offer Basic Nursing and Basic Midwifery also run post-basic midwifery programs.
- National Diploma (ND) In Nursing: The National Diploma in Nursing is a two-year academic program that serves as a stepping stone to the next phase of the nursing program, the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Nursing. Although not all schools offering Basic Nursing also offer the National Diploma in Nursing, there are some institutions that run both programs simultaneously. For example, the Katsina College of Nursing offers both Basic Nursing and the National Diploma in Nursing. However, certain schools, like the Nigerian Army College of Nursing, discontinued their Basic Nursing program after introducing the National Diploma in Nursing.
Unlike polytechnics that offer separate ND and HND programs in various fields, schools and colleges of nursing offer the ND and HND programs exclusively in Nursing. This means that there is no break or industrial training period after completing the ND; students proceed directly to the HND program, usually within the same institution. To qualify for admission into the National Diploma in Nursing, candidates must have the five required subjects in their SSCE, along with a JAMB UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) result. In other words, aspiring candidates must have obtained their WAEC, NECO, GCE, or NABTEB results and also completed the JAMB application process by selecting the school of nursing as their choice or making the necessary changes before admission.
While there are other factors involved in the admissions process for nursing schools and colleges, meeting the SSCE and JAMB requirements is the primary consideration.
- Higher National Diploma (HND) In Nursing: After completing the ND in Nursing, individuals can choose to pursue a nursing degree at a university or continue their education at the HND level within the same nursing school or another institution. If they choose the latter, they will receive an HND in Nursing upon completion of the four-year program. The prerequisite for admission to the HND program is an ND in Nursing along with the required SSCE qualifications. Upon completing the HND in Nursing, graduates are eligible for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program and are considered equivalent to individuals with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BNSC).
- Certificate Courses: Occasionally, some nursing schools offer certificate programs in specialized areas. These programs may award diplomas or certificates in specific nursing specializations. These courses are usually open to individuals with qualifications such as Basic Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Post-Basic Nursing, Post-Basic Midwifery, ND/HND in Nursing, or other relevant credentials in the healthcare industry.
In conclusion, the list above represents the various programs/courses that can be offered by any nursing school or college. However, it is unlikely to find a single institution that offers all of them. The program you can seek admission for depends on your qualifications.
