Nursing is the largest and one of the most respected professions in the healthcare system. Nurses form an integral part of the healthcare workforce, which can hardly function in the absence of Nurse professionals. In this article Why I should Study Nursing In Nigeria you will read about Reason why You should study nursing In Nigeria.
They contribute largely to the current shortages happening in the world.
“Nurses and Midwives account for nearly 50% of the global health workforce” (WHO-2020) and are thereby in high demand to fill these gaps, otherwise, the healthcare system suffers and will not be able to meet up in catering to the health needs of the population.
Nurses play critical roles in promoting the health of the public, preventing disease outbreaks, and also in providing timely care to the sick to reach an optimum level of wellness.
Nursing is often termed as a profession that is a blessing to the whole population and this has been in history over the years, a popular example is the impact Florence Nightingale, plays in her early days during the Crimean war that earned her the title “Lady with the Lamp”.
Whether you are about to decide on the course to study in a higher institution and you are unsure if nursing is what you should go for, or you are just curious about the benefits studying Nursing in Nigeria had to offer you, this article Why I Should Study Nursing In Nigeria will give you the answer you want, read on.
10 reasons you should consider studying Nursing in Nigeria;
Affordable Cost of Education
Comparing the amount you spent in pursuing your nursing qualification in other countries, studying Nursing in Nigeria is affordable, the tuition fee is usually given at a subsidized rate, especially in government-owned institutions, you can also avail scholarship opportunities offered by different bodies within the country.
Asides from that to further your education, you can enroll in online and distant learning courses which are cost-effective.
Job Stability
Nurses are in high demand, there are many vacancies to be filled by nurses due to shortages which makes you highly employable.
You become easily employed, and can even work without experience within a few months of your graduation from school, for example, university graduates in Nigeria have the opportunity to go for a paid Nursing internship after their graduation.
Read This: Highest Paying Job For Nurses In Nigeria
As a nurse, it becomes difficult to get displaced out of work unless you pull out yourself, so this gives you a sense of job security.
Wide Scope Of Practice
One of the advantages you enjoy as a nurse is a freedom to practice anywhere within the scope of your profession and on different levels. You can be a Nurse educator, travel nurse, nurse researcher, clinical nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse administrator, you can even own your healthcare institution or work with an NGO, the list is inexhaustible.
You can also explore online opportunities like writing, coaching, blogging which being a Nurse gives you leverage for.
So nursing offers you a wide range of scope of practice which makes it fun and interesting.
Good Salaries
You get to earn good salaries as a Nurse in Nigeria, having additional qualifications or specialization is an added advantage plus working within an institution that offers mouthwatering remuneration.
Check This: Nurses Salary In Nigeria 2022
While you can earn around 60,000 NGN as an average salary in private hospitals, you can earn from 80,000 NGN and above in government hospitals and 150,000 NGN above in NGOs, this again depends on your level of experience, qualification, specialty, and kind of institution.
International Opportunities
Globally, there is a huge demand for nurses, therefore, you can explore international opportunities for your career and professional development as you get to earn well which can improve your standard of living and also develop yourself with the state of art facilities made available overseas.
Specialization
There are also different fields you can specialize in and practice in within the country. Nurses can specialize in the following areas in 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
You also have the opportunity to pursue your higher qualification in master’s degree programs and Ph.D. programs.
Sense Of Fulfillment And Purpose
Nurses dedicate most of their time to taking care of others and being there for them. People regard the nursing profession as a calling as you get to add a healing touch to the lives of patients and also influence their wellbeing positively.
Nursing is a rewarding profession as you get to share in the joy and pain of others, doing all these gives you a sense of fulfillment and purpose. So if you are looking for ways to give back to society, this can be a very strong reason to consider as it studying Nursing takes you a step closer to your vision.
Being A Support System
Nurses’ duties go beyond giving medications or injections to patients, they also act as support systems to the patients during their stay in the hospital. Nurses provide psychological support to patients which helps them cope with their illness and its emotional turmoil, nurses serve as the patients’ backbone during their stay in the hospital
Respect
Nurses are highly respected everywhere due to the kind of care they give and the support they render to patients and others in society.
Staffing Shortage
The WHO stated that nurses and midwives represent more than 50% of the current shortage in health workers, with Africa and South East Asia having the largest shortages of nurses and midwives. “For all countries to reach Sustainable Development Goal 3 on health and well-being, WHO estimates that the world will need an additional 9 million nurses and midwives by the year 2030.”
In Nigeria, it is estimated that by 2030 there will be about 83,548-137,859 shortage of nurses with the increasing population if no effort is made to increase the current supply.
Therefore, there is a need for improvement in the health workforce supply in Nigeria to tackle the deficit to solve this heavy burden on the healthcare system thereby effecting positive changes in the overall health situation in Nigeria.
Hence, studying Nursing in Nigeria is in a way contributing to reducing these shortages and thereby bridging the gap between healthcare workers and the patients to achieve effective healthcare delivery.
List Of Accredited Institution To Study Nursing In Nigeria
While your interest might have piqued on studying Nursing in Nigeria, it can be an hassle if you are unsure of how to go about the process, so you will get to know the lists of institutions accredited to offer Nursing programs in Nigeria.
There are Two Hundred and Ninety (290) Nursing Training Institutions in Nigeria, presently. You can find the list of Nursing Training Institutions in Nigeria approved by the Council here.
Best Institution To Study Nursing In Nigeria
From sources across the web the following are the best institution to study nursing in Nigeria based on their eligibility criteria and the quality of education they offer to their students.
The following are the lists of best universities to study Nursing in Nigeria;
- University of Lagos (UNILAG);
- University of Ilorin (UNILORIN);
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN);
- University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT);
- University of IBADAN (UI);
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing;
- Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (OAU);
- University of Jos (UNIJOS);
- University of Benin (UNIBEN);
- Lagos State University (LASU);
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK);
- Bowen university Iwo
Lists of best school of nursing to study Nursing in Nigeria;
- School Of Nursing University Of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH)
- C.T School Of Nursing Gwagwalada Abuja
- School Of Nursing University College Hospital Ibadan
- University Of Nigeria School Of Nursing
- Ahmado Bello University Teaching Hospital School Of Nursing
- Ecwa School Of Nursing, Egbe
- School Of Nursing, Joint Hospital, Mbano
- School Of Nursing, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)
- School Of Nursing, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital
- Basic School Of Nursing, Federal Teaching Hospital
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital
- Mater School Of Nursing
- Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH)
- School Of Nursing Joint Hospital
- Ondo State School Of Nursing Akure
To conclude,
We could go on to explain more reasons for you to consider studying Nursing in Nigeria.
Nursing is a blessing to society and the earliest people embrace the impact they play and also encourage the people around them to study the profession, the easiest it becomes to fully unlock the blessings the profession brings.
Read Also: How To Became a REGISTERED NURSE In Nigeria
Thank you for reading so far, I hope this article you take the first step on the right path, please don’t forget to join us on TELEGRAM to get most of what I have to offer. Also don’t forget to share the article to your friends. I’m looking forward to reading your comments below
Mayowa Racheal Popoola – Nurse, Writer Mayowarachealpopoola@gmail.com
