A nurse is a healthcare professional who provides medical care and assistance to individuals, typically under the supervision of doctors or other healthcare professionals.
Nursing Schools in Nigeria: Nursing is a noble and rewarding profession that involves providing and monitoring patient care, educating patients and family members about health conditions, providing medications and treatments, giving emotional support and advice to patients and their family members, and more.
Nurses also work with healthy people by providing preventative health care and wellness information.
How To Become A Nurse In Nigeria
To become a nurse in Nigeria, one has to undergo a formal training program in an accredited nursing school. There are different types of nursing schools in Nigeria, such as:
Schools of Nursing (Basic)
These are institutions that offer a three-year diploma program in general nursing. Graduates of these schools are eligible to register as Registered Nurses (RN) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
Schools of Midwifery (Basic/Post Basic)
These are institutions that offer a three-year diploma program in midwifery. Graduates of these schools are eligible to register as Registered Midwives (RM) with the NMCN.
Schools of Post-Basic Nursing Specialties
These are institutions that offer a one-year or two-year post-basic diploma program in various nursing specialties, such as psychiatric nursing, pediatric nursing, perioperative nursing, ophthalmic nursing, etc.
Graduates of these schools are eligible to register as Registered Nurses with additional qualifications (RN/RPN, RN/RPN/RM, etc.) with the NMCN.
Departments of Nursing Sciences
These are academic units within universities that offer a four-year or five-year bachelor’s degree program in nursing science. Graduates of these departments are eligible to register as Registered Nurses (RN) with the NMCN and also obtain a B.Sc. degree in Nursing.
According to the NMCN, there are currently about 400 nursing training institutions in Nigeria, out of which 182 are accredited, Some nursing institutions are on full accreditation which lasts for five years, some are on provisional accreditation which lasts for two years, and some institutions were denied accreditation and embargo placed on them for failing to meet up with the required standard.
Top Nursing Schools in Nigeria
Basic School Of Nursing, Federal Teaching Hospital
This is a federal school of nursing located in Gwagwalada, Abuja. It offers a robust curriculum to accommodate the nursing profession. Admission is by a written and oral examination. The fee structure is less than 200,000 naira per annum.
School of Nursing University Of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH)
This is a federal school of nursing located in Benin City, Edo State. It prides itself as one of the best federal schools of nursing that produce nurses that can provide high-quality care that meet the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social needs of their patients/clients based on scientific principles. The fee structure per annum is tuition- 80,000 naira, hostel- 25,000 naira, and stationery – 20,000 naira.
University of Nigeria School of Nursing
This is a department of nursing sciences within the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State. It offers a five-year B.Sc. degree program in nursing science. The school prides itself as one of the nursing schools with the best facilities to aid in the learning process.
School Of Nursing Joint Hospital
This is a state school of nursing located in Mbano, Imo State. It is known for its high academic standards and quality training.
Mater School Of Nursing
This is a private school of nursing located in Afikpo, Ebonyi State. It is affiliated with the Mater Misericordiae Hospital and has a reputation for producing competent and compassionate nurses.
School Of Nursing And Midwifery Kebbi
This is a state school of nursing located in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. It is one of the top schools for studying nursing in Nigeria and has a record of producing some of the best hands in the nursing profession.
In conclusion, nursing schools in Nigeria play a vital role in the education and training of nurses who contribute significantly to the healthcare system. They provide aspiring nurses with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to deliver quality healthcare services to individuals, families, and communities.
Which school is best for nursing in Nigeria?
Here are some of the best nursing schools in Nigeria:
- University of Abuja School of Nursing
- University of Ibadan School of Nursing
- The University of Nigeria, Nsukka School of Nursing
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing
- Lagos State University College of Nursing and Midwifery
Which is the cheapest school of nursing in Nigeria?
Here are some of the cheapest schools of nursing in Nigeria:
- Abia State School of Nursing and Midwifery, Umuahia
- Katsina College of Nursing Science, Katsina
- School of Nursing, Ikot-Epkene
- School of Nursing, Anua-Uyo
- School of Nursing, Makurdi
How many nursing schools do we have in Nigeria?
According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), there are currently 400 approved nursing schools in Nigeria. These schools offer a variety of programs, including diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in nursing.
Do nursing schools require JAMB?
No, not all nursing schools in Nigeria require JAMB. JAMB, or the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, is an examination that is used for admission into universities in Nigeria. However, nursing schools are not part of the universities, so they do not require JAMB for admission.
There are two types of nursing schools in Nigeria:
- Schools of Nursing: These schools offer diploma programs in nursing. They do not require JAMB for admission.
- Universities with Schools of Nursing: These schools offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing. They may require JAMB for admission, but this depends on the university.