This article contains a list of the best nursing schools in Uganda in 2020.
The Nursing profession comprises the largest professionals that provide approximately 80% of the healthcare workforce. As a result of this, the health care sector can not operate successfully without nurses.
Nurses work in a variety of settings and specialities. They may choose to practice in hospitals, nursing homes, medical offices, ambulatory care, occupational health, and community health centres, schools, clinics, camps, and shelters.
DUTIES OF NURSES INCLUDE
Performing physical exams, obtaining medical/health histories, counselling and education, administering medications, wound care, and other health interventions, coordinating patient care collectively with other members of the healthcare team, etc.
The degree they hold may also dictate which area of speciality they are competent in practising in. There are over 100 nursing specialities, including:
- Ambulatory
- Burn care
- Camp or school
- Diabetes care
- Emergency nursing
- Flight/transport
- Forensic nursing
- Geriatrics
- Home health
- Hospice
- Labour and delivery
- Medical-surgical care
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Nephrology
- Neuroscience
BECOMING A NURSE IN UGANDA
There are 2 types of nurses, licensed practical nursing (LPN) or in some states referred to as licensed vocational nursing (LVN) and a registered nurse (RN). Educational requirements vary for each. The education that an LPN/LVN or an RN receive differ, so also their scope of practice.
An LPN/LVN receives a 1-year certificate or degree from a vocational or hospital or trade school. They can perform certain nursing duties, but they are not able to provide the same level of care to patients as an RN. To obtain a license as an LPN, they must take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-PN.
An LPN/LVN may continue their education and pursue either an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through bridge programs. These can take anywhere from 2 to 4 years, depending on the chosen degree.
Some RNs choose to obtain an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN), a 2-year technical skill-focused program.
There are many ways to enter into a nursing career and become an RN, but the preferred degree to obtain is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This is a 4-year college program. It includes a curriculum based on coursework, lab time, and clinical skill development through a hospital or other medical experience-based program.
In order to practice as a registered nurse, the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-RN must be taken and passed.
- LPN/LVN: 1 year
- Associates degree RN: 2 years
- Bachelors degree RN: 4 years
Nurses seeking an advanced degree will require additional education beyond their basic nursing education, which can range from two to five years depending on the degree being obtained.
Nursing is a responsible and rewarding career, but it is not always easy. Developing skills such as stress management, listening skills, compassion, and inner strength can help nurses face the daily challenges of their chosen career path. The institution one attends contributes to the level of expertise of nurses. In African countries like Uganda, nurses are not well recognized but their importance can not be overlooked.
The Global Health Workforce Alliance reported that professional education has generally not kept up the pace of health care challenges. Sub Saharan Africa needs an effective and efficient nursing education system to build an adequate, competent and relevant nursing workforce necessary for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The Plan of Action is tobScale up Quality Nursing and Midwifery Education. Irrespective of the challenges being faced bt nurses in most African countries e.g Uganda, people and still building careers in this field.
Are you interested in building a career in Nursing? Below are top Nursing schools to look out for in Uganda:
1. ARUA SCHOOL OF NURSING
Arua School of Comprehensive Nursing is a Government founded health training institution. It is located 530 kilometres from Kampala in North Western Region (Nile) of Uganda, in Arua District within Arua Municipality Eastern side and adjacent to Arua Regional Referral Hospital. The School was established in 1972 to train 20 Enrolled Nurses and 20 midwives. In 2001, the course was converted to Enrolled Comprehensive Nursing Course for the award of a Certificate in Comprehensive Nursing, and this has continued up to date.
This was in line with the Government policy to train a holistic Nurse in the fulfilment of Primary Health Care goals.
ARUA SCHOOL OF NURSING COURSES
The School runs a two and half years Comprehensive Nursing Program and Midwifery Program leading to the award of Certificate in Comprehensive Nursing and Certificate in Midwifery respectively.
The School also runs upgrading courses of one and a half years for the award of Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing, Diploma in Nursing and Diploma in Midwifery Regular and two years Diploma in Midwifery E-learning.
The course exposes students to all areas of learning which includes; Community, Medical, Surgical, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and General Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing/Health Service Management, Microbiology, Sociology, Psychology, Computer and Research. All these are taught in classrooms, clinical areas and community fieldwork.
2. HOIMA SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY
Before Hoima School of Nursing, a health training Institution to train Nurses located at Bunyoro Region Hoima Regional Referral Hospital was the only one in Uganda
Hoima School of Nursing and Midwifery (HSNM) is one of the youngest public nursing training schools in Uganda and the only one in the Albertine Graben region. It was started in June 2010 with support from Hoima District Local Government and the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
In June 2011, it was recognized and taken over by the Central Government, under the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports (MoESTS) WHERE it received full financial support as a self-accounting entity. Since its inception, the School has admitted eight sets of students with the cohorts of 66.
A two and half (2½) year program of training following the traditional nurse/midwife and comprehensive certificate curriculum is offered. Students are trained in general nursing, midwifery and community nursing.
Hoima School of Nursing and Midwifery Courses Offered
Some of the courses we offer include:
- Midwifery
- Comprehensive Nursing
- Students are trained in general nursing, midwifery and community nursing.
3. BUTABIKA SCHOOL OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
Founded in 1960, BSPN is the only nursing school in Uganda that trains mental health nurses. it has trained thousands of nurses who are deployed in Government and private sectors.
The applicants must have successfully completed ordinary and/or advanced secondary education or its equivalent for external applicants. Ordinary level applicants must have passed in English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics whereas the advanced must have two principal passes in Biology and Chemistry.
Admission is through Business Technical vocational education and training department ministry of education and sports who organise interviews certificate for the certificate course and joint admission board for Diploma course candidates.
4. JINJA SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY
The school was established in 1954 by the Government of Uganda to support the training of enrolled nurses and enrolled midwives,the school has expanded the curriculum to train Registered Pediatric and Comprehensive Nurses. It is located in Eastern Uganda, Jinja District. The School is a government institution managed under the Ministry of Education of Sports.
JINJA SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Diploma in Paediatric &Child Health Nursing [DPHN] Entry Requirements:
- Applicant MUST be registered by the Uganda Nursing and Midwifery Council (UNMC) &already qualified as a nurse with 2 years experience in that field
- Applicants MUST satisfy the requirements of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) &the Ministry of Health (MoH) interview panel.
Diploma in Nursing [DN] (Direct Entry) Entry Requirements:
- Applicant MUST have been in school 3 years prior to application
- Applicants have completed their A-Level and obtained at least 2 principal passes, one of which must be in Biology.
- Applicants must satisfy the requirements of the Joint Admissions Board (JAB) of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES).
Certificate in Comprehensive Nursing [CCN]
This course was formerly called Enrolled in Comprehensive Nursing(ECN).
Entry Requirements:
- Completion or possession of an O-Level Certificate with passes in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Must be 18 years and/or above.
- Must have been in school within the previous 3 years before applying.
- Candidates must satisfy the requirements of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) interview panel.etc
Other Nursing schools include;
- Kabale School of Enrolled Comprehensive Nursing.
- Lira School of Comprehensive Nursing.
- Masaka School of Comprehensive Nursing
- Mulago Health Tutors College
- Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery
- Public Health Nurses College
- Soroti School of Comprehensive Nursing
