School of Nursing VS Nursing in University: Differences, Better One and List of Schools

School of Nursing VS Nursing in University: Differences, Better One and List of Schools

WHICH ONE TO CONSIDER: RN, RM, BSN (Bsc. Nursing) ANS WHAT THEY ALL ENTAIL

A student came into my office just recently to ask which one he should go for between Bsc Nursing through a university degree and registered nurse – through school or college of nursing (SON).

If you’re in the same dilemma, I suggest you read this post to the very end. I had briefly answer this in my post, "Difference Between Registered Nursing (RN) and Registered Midwifery (RM)"

School or College of Nursing and Midwifery 

In Nigeria, if you give in to the school of nursing and midwifery, below is the picture of your life.

You Obtain a Teaching Hospital Admission form

1. SON is run by a university teaching of a hospital (TH) except private. Such TH will sell admission form usually every year to admit a new set of students.
2. After obtaining the form, you’re admitted through entrance exams, physical interview and medical test.
3. Now you’re to remain a nurse studentfor the next three academic yearswhich are majorly practicals centered.
4. After the completion of your nursing course and passing external exams called Hospital Final, you’re awarded registered nurse (RN) title.

List of Schools and Colleges of Nursing in Nigeria

1. University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital School of Nursing
2. Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja School of Nursing
3. Kaduna State College of Nursing 
4. Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing 
5. Oyo State College of Nursing, Eleyele Ibadan
6. Ogun State School of Nursing and Midwifery
7. University of Benin Teaching Hospital School of Nursing
8. Benue State School of Nursing
9. University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital School of Nursing
10. Ahmadu Bello University teaching Hospital School of Nursing
11. Kastina State School of Nursing and Midwifery
12. Adamawa State College of Nursing and Midwifery 
13. University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

See more at 55+ Schools/Colleges of Nursing and Health Technology in Nigeria

Continue to University or School of Midwifery 

Unfortunately, the RN is not equivalent to Bsc or Degree Nursing. This is why you may still want to continue to a university. And if you’re contented with RN, you can use this to work as a staff nurse in any hospital and health centre.

1. If you choose to proceed to university, you will have to obtain JAMB Direct Entry form and choose a university of your interest.
2. If offered admission, eventually, you will be admitted to 200 or 300 level Degree Nursing; depending, in school policies.
3. Then you spend another 4 or 3 years to complete Bsc. or Degree Nursing; after which you’ll be awarded Registered Midwifery and Bsc Nursing or BSN.

From RN to Midwifery (RM)

1. Another stage after RN at a school of nursing is called a school of Midwifery. This is administered usually by the same teaching hospital.
2. If you prefer this instead of obtaining JAMB DE form, you may need to spend another 1 or 2 years after RN for your midwifery course. Then you have two certificates altogether – RN and (Registered Midwifery) RM

Study Nursing at University Instead  

If you choose university Nursing instead of the school of Nursing/ midwifery, Below is the picture of your journey.

You Obtain JAMB Form

1. You’ll have to register UTME for the admission year, like any other candidates seeking admission into other courses.
2. If you score the required mark of your proposed school - usually 200 and above, you then obtain post UTME form and take their post UTME test where required. Schools such as OAU, UI, UNILAG, ABU, UNIBEN etc conduct post UTME test while schools like UNIOSUN, KWASU etc do not.
3. If you’re eventually admitted, you’ll be running the course for 5 years after which you will be awarded three certificates - RN, RM and (Bachelor of Nursing) BSN.

Career/Jobs: Your Fate with Bsc Nursing and School of Nursing/Midwifery

Your academic journey has finally come to an end. You’re done with your nursing degree or midwifery. Here is the picture of what is to come. What is next in the labour market or at work?

Experience has shown that graduates of universities are senior officers above those who completed RN only - or plus RM.

This means, if we have a staff with RN and RM who had been working for ten years or more, she will eventually be subordinate or junior colleague to a new staff with Bsc Nursing.

Conclusion

I had intentionally made this piece short so you can quickly grab my points without letting important details out.

Most students, for the first time, are hearing this truth. That's why you have to help me share this eye-opening write-up.

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