When you consider a profession in nursing, what do you think? For most people, it evokes an image of tenderness, assistance, and devotion to altruism. Nursing is a career that involves total devotion to humanity, high-level sympathy and desire for continual education and adjustment in an ever-changing field. If you are thinking about pursuing nursing as your career option, you may be questioning yourself on which direction your education should take.
Historically, nursing has been highly associated with university institutions of learning but there is now an alternative avenue on offer: studying nursing at polytechnic institutes.
So can you study nursing in polytechnic? Certainly yes! But let us delve deeper into this by looking into its advantages and disadvantages, possible polytechnics where one can study nursing, as well as how this route could affect your future career.
Types of Nursing Programs Offered by Polytechnics
In various parts of the globe, polytechnic institutions offer multiple nursing courses that cater to diverse needs and ambitions in professions. Depending on countries or areas, these programs may vary, but here are some common kinds of nursing programs available at a polytechnic level:
1. Diploma in Nursing
Diploma in nursing programs are among the most attractive choices for students who seek polytechnic institutions. The usual duration of a diploma in nursing is three years and it gives an understanding of basic skills and knowledge about nursing. People who graduate from these courses can work as RNs or LPNs depending on local laws, taking into account the nature of their training location.
2. Advanced Diploma or Post-Diploma programs
Advanced diplomas or post-diploma certifications are provided by some polytechnics for people who already have a nursing diploma and wish to specialize in a specific field. By these programs, nurses are able to enhance their knowledge in areas like pediatric nursing, critical care, mental health or community health.
3. Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADN)
In some locations, polytechnics provide associate degree programs equating the first two years of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). These lead students into work as nurses or help them move on to earning their BSN at a university.
4. Bridging Programs
Bridging programs are often provided by polytechnics for health care professionals wishing to switch to nursing. This is meant for those who are already practitioners in related fields, such as paramedics, healthcare assistants, or midwives, and want to obtain a nursing qualification.
Some Polytechnics Offering Nursing
Originally, the polytechnics in Nigeria didn’t offer Nursing, but things took another turn in the year 2017. This change was as a result of the movement by the Nursing Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), as they provided some prerequisites that initiated the study. This four-year program will result in the award of an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Nursing. Admission into these polytechnics and colleges requires candidates to have at least five credits in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or its equivalent, specifically in Mathematics, English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
Graduates from these institutions are required to write the exams of Nursing and Midwifery Council to obtain certificate as registered nurse after finishing their courses there. Those who want to specialize in areas like midwifery or public health nursing need this certification too. The polytechnics and colleges must also have well-furnished departments of Nursing, Public Health and Midwifery with qualified lecturers and teachers providing full-time instructions.
Nevertheless, nurses and other stakeholders have resisted this initiative, making what could be termed a lukewarm reception of students who would want to enroll for such programs. A lot of students have decided not to join the program but rather go for nursing courses at older federal universities or private universities or take other courses related to health at various polytechnics and colleges of technology.
Some of the Polytechnics offering Nursing are:
1. Nigerian Army College Of Nursing, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria
The College of Nursing is established and administered by the Nigerian Army. It’s capable of running and awarding certificates in Nursing Science at both National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) level.
The college is now affiliated with the University of Lagos to award a BSC in Nursing. The Nigerian Army College of Nursing admission forms are not only open to military and paramilitary personnel, but individual civilians are equally eligible to obtain and gain admission to the college.
2. Nigeria Airforce School Of Medical Science And Aviation Medicine, Kaduna, Nigeria
The College of Nursing has joined the League of Schools of Nursing, requiring UTME for their admissions. Consequently, the program will also award its graduates an ND /HND at the end of the course.
3. College of Nursing and Midwifery, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria
Also called Kasimu Kofar Bai School of Nursing Katsina, even though this college of nursing is offering general/basic nursing just as every other school and college of nursing you’re used to, it is also running National Diploma Nursing and Higher National Diploma Nursing like every polytechnic out there.
The ND/HND Nursing program is a four-year uninterrupted program, i.e., 2 years for ND and 2 years for HND. Students start with the ND Nursing program, which is a non-terminal program. The ND Nursing graduates with a minimum CGPA of 2.5 (lower credit) will then proceed to HND Nursing.
4. Lagos State College of Health Technology, Nigeria
The Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET) is one of the leading polytechnics in Lagos that offers nursing programs. It is located in Yaba, Lagos and offers a diploma in Nursing and Midwifery.
5. Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, is one of the leading polytechnics in Nigeria that offers nursing programs. The nursing program is a two-year program that leads to the award of a National Diploma (ND) in Nursing.
6. Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Nigeria
The Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, is a polytechnic located in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The polytechnic offers nursing programs at the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels.
7. Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing, Ile-Ife Osun State
Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing, also known as OAUTCH, requires UTME to be given admission to study Nursing; hence, they can award OND/HND degrees in Nursing.
The Appeal of Studying Nursing in a Polytechnic
Choosing where to study nursing is a big decision, and there are several reasons why you might consider a polytechnic as your educational institution of choice:
1. Focus on Practical Experience
One of the major benefits of studying nursing at a polytechnic is the strong focus on practical experience. Unlike traditional academic environments that may rely heavily on theoretical knowledge, polytechnic programs are meant to be hands-on. A sizeable part of the entire learning process takes place in clinical attachments or other real-life situations. Consequently, students have gone through a lot in terms of having spent considerable time within health care settings interacting with patients through many ways, including hands-on activities.
For many would-be nurses, this working experience is priceless. It not only makes them more confident but also ensures they are job-ready from the moment they commence work. It is no wonder, therefore, that employers prefer polytechnic graduates because they know such people would have been trained to handle daily demands placed before them by their nursing profession’s typical day-to-day. The focus was on practical learning, where students were able to develop important critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary for surviving in the fast-paced world of healthcare.
2. Lesser time taken for the program
Typically, polytechnic nursing programs ordinarily last a shorter period than university degrees. A Diploma in Nursing can often be finalized in merely three years while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) might take up to four or more years. This shorter time frame is particularly appealing to students who are so eager to enter the job market and also start earning income promptly. In addition, students who have limited resources or those having other concerns may find this option significant as it makes education on nursing viable.
3. Affordable education
Cost is one determining factor that students consider while deciding where they want to study from. Polytechnic programs are less expensive than most university ones due to lower fees charged for tuition and less study time taken. Therefore, it becomes possible for students seeking quality courses without necessarily getting into debts thereby opting for polytechnic nursing courses which usually come at an affordable price point.
Drawbacks of Studying Nursing in Polytechnic
1. Scarcity of Academic Pathways
The limited academic pathways after graduation is among the most significant obstacles to pursuing nursing education at a polytechnic. Although polytechnic graduates have the option of starting their careers as registered nurses, their options for furthering studies such as Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees may be much more restricted in comparison to those who graduated from universities. In certain cases, additional coursework or bridging courses could be needed, moving from the diploma level into degree courses; this should be taken into account by learners considering advancing practice roles, research careers, or academia in nursing.
2. Perceptions and Recognition
In some regions, there may be a perception that university degrees hold more prestige or recognition than polytechnic diplomas. The above fact no longer holds true since polytechnics are gaining prominence based on their practical training and industry focus; but it is something to note. In applying for employment or further education opportunities it is critical to take into account how your local region or health care facilities you hope to work at regard polytechnic qualifications.
Conclusion
Polytechnics indeed offer an alternative avenue for studying nursing other than universities. At polytechnic level, nursing diplomas, advanced diplomas and associate degrees with a strong emphasis on practical experience are offered. They take a shorter time period and are less costly than university degrees, thereby attracting students who wish to secure jobs immediately after graduation.
