Nursing is one of the most essential professions in our society. Without nurses, getting medical care would not be easy. They play a vital role not just in hospitals but also in homes and hospices, ensuring that patients receive the right medical attention. In this article we will look at the various institutions offering the nursing course.
There are a variety of specialties that nurses can explore including:
Registered nurse – this is someone who has completed a nursing course and qualified in certain fields depending on their job groups.
Enrolled nurse – she/he works under a senior officer, assisting them with various nursing duties such as treating minor ailments, monitoring patient’s progress and reporting to the RN.
Nursing officer – a nursing officer has more responsibilities compared to an enrolled officer. They include admission and discharge of a patient, managing operations budget, counselling patients and updating patients’ records.
To become a nurse in Kenya, you need to undergo training in a recognized institution. There are over 140 institutions that have been approved by the Nursing Council of Kenya, making it easier for interested people from all parts of the country to pursue a nursing degree. Here are some of the institutions that offer nursing courses in Kenya.
University of Nairobi
One of the most prestigious schools in the country offers a nursing course that equips students with the knowledge and skills to become valuable in the practice.
Kenyatta University
Kenyatta University offers a degree, diploma and undergraduate courses in nursing. Students who have a diploma in nursing and wish to undertake a Bachelor’s degree may have a credit transfer of up to 18 units.
Catherine Mcauley Nursing School – Mater Hospital
This institution’s mission is to train registered nurses in specific fields including midwifery, critical care, and nephrology. Registration is open to all nationalities provided they are registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya and possess a valid aliens pass. The trading lasts 12 months.
Clive Irvine School of Nursing
Located in the serene slopes of Mt Kenya, this institution prides itself in being one of the pioneer colleges to train medical professionals. It continues to uphold high education standards with a vision of becoming the college of choice in training globally competitive health professionals.
Amref Virtual Training School
Established in 2007, Amref Virtual Training School offers skill-based courses in areas such as reproductive health and community health. The aim is to equip health workers with specialized skills, enabling them to provide high quality medical care.
The Aga Khan University
The Aga Khan University’s nursing programs are based on work-study formats which equip students with theoretical and practical skills. Their goal is to develop nursing and midwifery graduates who transform lives.
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)
There are several KMTC campuses spread across the country, allowing access to quality education to even those in remote areas. Students who enroll for a nursing course in this institution can choose from a variety of programs including critical care nursing, psychiatric nursing, oncology nursing and pediatric nursing.
Edinburgh College
Located in Murang’a, Edinburgh College offers medical courses including the nursing course that are designed for people with lower grades who want to pursue a career in the field. They also have few requirements to enroll for their courses. For instance, the requirements for a Certificate in Certified Nurse Assistant include D- or above in KCSE, copy of ID/waiting card, and 2 passport photos.
Lukenya University
This institution provides the nursing course to students with an aim of nurturing compassionate healthcare professionals. They have several modes of study including open, distant and electronic learning.
Maseno University
Excellence, quality and relevance are at the core of Maseno University’s nursing department. Their goal is to train graduates who are responsive to local, national and global health needs. You can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a mean grade of C+ and a minimum of C+ in Mathematics/Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English/Swahili.