School of Nursing in Nigeria is a specialized institution that offers degree programs for training mid-level health practitioners in the Nursing profession.
Gaining admission into the School or College of Nursing in Nigeria is competitive because of the fewer slots for acceptance to study the program.
It took my sister many years to get into the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) School of Nursing.
She wrote the entrance exam three (3) times before she obtained admission. However, her problem was passing the entrance exam with a high score.
Many people do not know that gaining admission to the School of Nursing is more competitive than getting into the University to study Nursing Sciences.
I am writing this post because I would not want you to make the same mistakes as my sister or encounter any challenges with gaining admission into any School of Nursing in Nigeria.
Let me know in the comment if you have any questions or need further clarification. I would love to hear from you.
I wish you success as you begin your journey in the Nursing profession.
School of Nursing in Nigeria
There are School of Nursing in every State in Nigeria that offers academic and practical training for students to become Nurses.
Nigeria’s School of Nursing program is three (3) years for the Basic Nursing program.
Nigeria’s Nursing and Midwifery Council regulate admission, accreditation, and graduation from the College of Nursing.
The following is the list of the types of schools of Nursing in Nigeria;
- School of Nursing (Basic)
- Post Basic Peri-Operative Nursing
- Cardiothoracic Nursing School
- Community Midwifery Programme
- Post Basic Occupational Health Nursing
- Schools of Post Basic Nursing Specialties
- Post Basic Intensive Care Nursing
- Community Nursing Programme
- Post Basic Ear, Nose, and Throat Nursing
Now, it is time to get into the main content of this article.
How to Gain Admission Into School of Nursing in Nigeria
The following are tips for gaining admission into the School of Nursing in Nigeria;
- O’level Requirements
- Age Requirement
- Pregnancy Regulation
- Know You Admission Chances
- Purchase the School Form
- Write the Entrance Exam
- Attend the Oral Interview
- Submit Your Documents
O’level Requirements
The most crucial requirement to gain admission to the School of Nursing is to possess a minimum of five (5) credit passes in the following subjects below in your WAEC or NECO result;
You cannot study Nursing Science at either the University or the School of Nursing without having credit passes in these subjects.
Art students who wish to become a Nurse must retake the WAEC or NECO exam by including these subjects.
You can combine two O’level results, either WAEC or NECO, for admission to the School of Nursing in Nigeria.
Age Requirement
Age is a requirement for admission to study at the School of Nursing.
The Nursing profession does not allow underage students to study the course.
As you should know, it takes physical and emotional maturity to become a Nurse in Nigeria.
The age requirement to study at any School of Nursing in Nigeria is a minimum of sixteen (16) years.
However, the age requirement for some schools is eighteen (18) years.
Also, some Nursing Schools may have a maximum age requirement say sixty (60) years.
Let me know in the comment if you are unsure of the age requirement for the School of Nursing you are seeking admission.
Pregnancy Regulation
Pregnancy is an admission requirement for female students to study at the School of Nursing.
Pregnancy at the time of admission is against the policies of the School of Nursing in Nigeria.
I know you are wondering why the discrimination against pregnant students.
It is not discrimination but a policy that is for your good.
At the School of Nursing, students participate in practical sessions at the hospital.
It would be a great danger for pregnant women to attend to patients with all sorts of infectious diseases.
Also, a pregnant woman cannot pull through the academic stress at nursing school.
Know You Admission Chances
It is necessary to determine your admission chances to the Nursing school you are applying to study.
Some schools of Nursing, mainly the Federal Schools, are more competitive than others.
Also, some Nursing schools would require you to sit for the JAMB UTME examination.
Ensure you apply to a school you stand a good chance for admission.
I recommend you apply to your State School of Nursing. But you can apply to other Schools in Nigeria.
See the list of Schools of Nursing whose admission form is currently available here.
Let me know in the comment if you have any questions about any of the Nursing schools in Nigeria.
Purchase the School Form
Buying the School of Nursing form is the first practical step to gaining admission to the School of Nursing in Nigeria.
Every Nursing school releases its admission form annually to receive prospective students’ applications.
The fee to purchase most School of Nursing admission forms is ten thousand Naira (₦10,000). It can be purchased online or at the school premises.
Ensure you get the form before the expiration.
Write the Entrance Exam
Passing the entrance examination for a nursing school is an essential requirement for admission.
Every School of Nursing organizes an entrance examination for students seeking admission in the following subjects;
- English Language
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Current Affairs
Knowing the entrance examination format for the school you want to study basic nursing program is necessary.
Getting a high score in the entrance examination is the requirement to get an invitation for the oral interview before you get the offer for admission.
Let me know in the comment if you are unsure about the entrance examination format.
Attend the Oral Interview
The oral interview is the last screening process to gain admission to nursing school.
Only students who performed excellently at the entrance examination get invited for the oral interview screening.
Many students get scared of the oral exam because it is the time to prove to the examiners they are worthy of studying at nursing school.
At the oral interview, you would encounter personal questions like describing yourself, why you want to study nursing science, etc.
Submit Your Documents
After gaining admission to the School of Nursing, submitting your documents is the first thing to do.
The following is the list of documents required for admission screening clearance;
- Birth certificate/declaration of age (original)
- WAEC/NECO certificate (original)
- Testimonial for six years (original)
- Admission letter (original)
- Local Government or Origin certificate
- Indigenization certificate (original)
- Photocopy of all credentials
- Four passport photographs
Ensure you get these documents ready before the admission screening.
I wish you success in becoming a registered nurse in Nigeria.
I would love to hear from you in the comment section below. Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification.
