Are you confused about what you should go for between studying Nursing at a SCHOOL OF NURSING Vs NURSING IN UNIVERSITY. In this article, you will learn about the University Nursing Degree (B.NSc) and the School of Nursing Diploma (RN), the differences between both, and answers to some of the frequently asked questions about both.
SCHOOL OF NURSING Vs NURSING IN UNIVERSITY
The Nursing and Midwifery Council Nigeria (NMCN) which is the regulatory body for Nurses and Midwives in the country has laid down various pathways for the education and training of nurse professionals in the country.
Two of these pathways are;
- School of Nursing (RN)
- University Nursing Degree (B.NSc)
In this article, you will get to know about the University Nursing Degree (B.NSc) and the School of Nursing Diploma (RN), the differences between both, and answers to some of the frequently asked questions on both
SCHOOL OF NURSING (RN)
This is a three (3) year Basic General Nursing Program, it is hospital-based and at the end of which you will be awarded a Certificate in General Nursing (RN), and upon completion, you will be deemed as a Registered Nurse.
The School of Nursing (SON) is majorly run by a University Teaching Hospital except for a few that are private.
To enroll in the School of Nursing program, you need to obtain a form from the institution.
You will be admitted only after you have completed the entrance examinations, physical interviews, and medical tests.
The program runs for three (3) years, upon successful completion of the program and after you’ve successfully passed the NMCN professional exams, you will be issued an RN license to practice.
Entry 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.
You do not need Jamb (UTME) results to enroll in the school of nursing program.
Career Outlook
Upon successful completion of your program and after being licensed as an RN, you would be able to work in various healthcare or hospital settings nationally and internationally such as National Hospitals, Federal Medical Centers, Specialist Hospitals, General Hospitals, Primary Healthcare Centres, Comprehensive Health Care Centres, and so on.
However, for career advancement, you would need additional qualifications to specialize. To specialize as an RN, there are diverse pathways you can take, you can choose to go for any of these according to your career goals and prospects. The following are the pathways to specializing as an RN;
You will have to enroll in the Midwifery program or Post-Basic Nursing programs to be awarded a professional certification in various specialties or you can directly go to the university to obtain your B.NSc via direct entry.
To specialize in your Midwifery program or Post-Basic Nursing programs in Nigeria, you can register for this training in Schools of Midwifery or Post-Basic Nursing. Most of these programs usually run for a period of one year, while others may go on for over 18 months to 2 years.
However, you can also decide to further your education in the university to obtain a B.NSc instead of a Post-Basic qualification 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. It is usually advisable to go through this route if you have the prospect of going further in the profession as only a B.NSc holder is qualified to go for a Master’s Degree in Nursing Science in Nigeria
List Of Post Basic Nursing Programs In Nigeria
Below are the areas you can specialize in for your post-basic nursing programs or postgraduate diploma in Nursing programs within Nigeria;
- Accident and Emergency Nursing
- Anaesthetic Nursing
- Burns and Plastic Nursing
- Cardiothoracic Nursing
- Clinical Research Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Critical Care Nursing
- Geriatric Nursing
- Intensive Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing or Psychiatric Nursing
- Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing (midwifery)
- Occupational Health Nursing
- Ophthalmic Nursing
- Orthopaedic Nursing
- Paediatric Nursing
- Peri-operative Nursing
- Public Health Nursing
- Renal Nursing
University Nursing Degree (B.NSc)
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.
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.
After graduation, you will have to go for a compulsory one-year internship program before you are issued a license to practice, this is to help you gain more clinical experience as well as develop your clinical skills.
Entry 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.
You will have to sit for UTME (JAMB) and post-UTME. The cut-off marks for this two examination differs from university to university, so you will have to find out about that.
Career Outlook
Upon successful completion of your program and after you are awarded your degree -RN, RM, RPH, B.NSc- you would be able to work in various healthcare or hospital settings nationally and internationally with a salary and an entry point higher than someone with just an RN qualification.
To specialize, you simply have to enroll for your Master’s Degree in your area of interest (specialty).
Upon completion of your Master’s program, you can go further to earn your Doctoral qualification. This depends on your career goals or prospects, the possibility is endless.
Differences Between School of Nursing and University Nursing Degree
The School of Nursing program runs for three (3) years while the University Nursing Degree runs for five (5) years.
Upon completion of the School of Nursing program, you will be awarded an RN qualification while after graduation from the University Nursing Degree program, you will be awarded B.NSc, RN in addition to RM or RPH depending on your interest.
You do not need to sit for JAMB to be admitted into the School of Nursing program while you need JAMB and Post-UTME for the University Nursing Degree.
As an RN, If you wish to earn your degree qualification, you would have to enroll in the University Nursing Degree program through direct entry admission and spend another 4 years in the university while as a B.NSc holder, you can simply go for your Master’s program.
As a School of Nursing graduate, the entry-level for employment especially in government-owned hospitals is comparatively lower than a graduate of the University Nursing program and for promotion, you would be required to present your degree qualification as time goes on.
FAQS
Q– Do individuals with RN qualifications get more employment opportunities than B.NSc graduate
A- Both of them get equal employment opportunities as they have been trained to competently practice as Nurses. However, employment entry-level and salary differ for each of these qualifications.
Q- Does BSc Nursing in University cover both Nursing and Midwifery together for 5 years?
A- Yes, a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) and Registered Nurse (RN) will be awarded. However, additional Registered Midwife (RM), or Registered Public Health Nurse (RPH) qualifications will be awarded if you choose to sit for the licensing examination.
Q- Is studying Nursing at the University preferable to the School of Nursing?
A- It depends on your age, situation, career outlook, and goals. However, it is advisable to go for the University Nursing Degree program to save time and money.
Q– Is it possible to go to the university to obtain your BSc. after getting your RN certificate?
A– Yes you can. You will have to obtain the JAMB Direct Admission form, with your O’level results of five credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry in not more than two (2) sittings for either WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB. You will be offered direct admission into the 200 level and complete the program in 4 years.
Written By: Mayowa Racheal Popoola
RN, Content Writer
