In this article, you will get to know about how to transition as a RM to B.NSc Nursing In Nigeria. The role of a Nurse is multidimensional, with the focus of healthcare delivery being the achievement of positive outcomes for patients, advanced nursing qualification is vital for improved quality of care. Hence, earning a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree can help in bridging the gaps in providing best-in-class patient care.
Who Is A Registered Midwife?
A Registered Midwife provides care for mothers during pregnancy through the postpartum period including reproductive and general healthcare services to women across their lifespan.
Nurse midwives are primary healthcare providers who work in various hospital settings, birthing centers, medical centers, and so on. They meet the healthcare needs of an individual woman, those with sexual or reproductive health concerns, and neonates. Routine examinations, contraception, well woman care amongst others are some of the other duties of a Registered Midwife.
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What Are The Responsibilities Of A Registered Midwife?
A Registered Midwife;
- Provide antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care for mothers and neonates.
- Provide health education on breastfeeding and its importance.
- Educate women on birth control and methods of contraception.
- Carry out routine examinations for therapeutic and diagnostic measures for prospective, expecting, and new parents.
- Provide gynecological care for females from puberty to menopause.
- Treatment of STDs and other sexually related disorders for both partners.
What Does Registered Midwife Qualification Entail?
The Registered Midwife qualification can be obtained in two ways in Nigeria, viz:
Basic Midwifery Education
Post-Basic Midwifery Education
The School of Midwifery or Post-Basic Midwifery is majorly run by a University Teaching Hospital except for a few that are private and upon graduation diploma certificates in addition to a professional RM license to practice are awarded.
To explain further,
Basic Midwifery Education
This is a three (3) year program, at the end of which you will be awarded a diploma in General Midwifery and upon completion, you will be regarded as a Registered Midwife (RM).
Post-Basic Midwifery Education
At the end of this program, you will be awarded an additional RM qualification to your basic nursing qualification (RN). It usually runs for about 18 months years.
Career Outlook
While there are several education pathways to career growth for Registered Midwives in other countries, nonetheless, only limited options are presently available in Nigeria. Hence, the need for Nurse Midwives to enroll in the Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) program in the country.
Being a Registered Midwife has its advantages, however, nurses with Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degrees tend to earn a higher salary and have diverse opportunities for career acceleration. The world is evolving, more than ever before, there are increasing demands for Nurses with degree qualifications as well as other advanced nursing specialty qualifications.
What Are The Advantages Of Having Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) Qualification?
- A BNSc qualification increases your chance of getting the right kind of career opportunity.
- Builds your competence, and gives you advanced knowledge for quality practice.
- Gives you an edge for promotion and career growth.
- The civil service scheme only considers a degree qualification for promotion into a Directorate Nursing position in government-owned hospitals in the country.
- Increase your earning potential, so you can earn more compared to someone with just an RM qualification.
- A BNSc degree qualification is essential to enroll in a Masters or Ph.D. program in Nigeria.
What does a B.NSc Qualification Entail?
This program runs for five (5) years after which you will be awarded professional certifications, and a Bachelor Degree i.e. Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) and Registered Nurse (RN). However, additional Registered Midwife (RM), or Registered Public Health Nurse (RPH) qualifications can be awarded if you choose to sit for the licensing examination. In order words, you have the opportunity to earn three (3) specialty qualifications in addition to your degree qualification.
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For further clarification, this is a breakdown of how you will be awarded the qualifications. In your fourth year of study, you will have to sit for the professional examination for the award of a Certificate in General Nursing (RN) and, in the fifth year, you will sit for another professional examination in Midwifery, and Public Health Nursing, depending on your choice. Hence, the reason you will have an overall qualification of “RN, RM, RPH, B.NSc” at the end of your five (5) years training period.
Transitioning as a RM to B.NSc Nursing In Nigeria
Obtaining a B.NSc degree qualification usually involves being admitted into a University through direct entry using your final results from your school of Nursing with a good O’level result.
If you take this route, you will begin at the 200 level and complete the program in four (4) years.
Admission Requirements
You need to have five credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry in not more than two (2) sittings for either WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB to be offered admission into the program.
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You can combine WAEC&WAEC, WAEC&NECO, or NECO&NECO but NABTEB must be one sitting.
You will need to obtain a JAMB form for direct admission into the program. You will start from the 200 level instead of the 100 level.
Universities Offering Bachelor of Nursing Science program in Nigeria
- Abia State University, Uturu
- Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti
- Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma
- Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo
- Bayero University, Kano
- Delta State University, Abraka
- Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
- Evan Enwerem University, Owerri
- Igbinedion University, Okada
- Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, Ogbomosho
- Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
- University of Benin, Benin City
- University of Calabar, Calabar
- University of Ibadan, Ibadan
- University of Ilorin, Ilorin
- University of Jos, Jos
- University of Lagos, Lagos
- University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka
- University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt
- Ahmadu Bello University
- Imo State University
- Madonna University
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University
- Usman Dan Fodio University
- National Open University of Nigeria
Conclusion
The role of a Nurse is multidimensional, with the focus of healthcare delivery being the achievement of positive outcomes for patients, advanced nursing qualification is vital for improved quality of care. Hence, earning a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree can help in bridging the gaps in providing best-in-class patient care. if you have any question about to RM to B.NSc Nursing In Nigeria drop your comment below.
