Diploma in nursing is a market driven course with broad job opportunities locally, regionally and globally. If you are passionate about healthcare and looking for an educational program with immense career opportunities, exploring a diploma in nursing can be a great choice. In this article, we delve into diploma in nursing course giving you crucial information about nursing thematic areas, qualifications, nursing schools, and career opportunities.

Thematic Areas for a Diploma in Nursing

Providing nursing care services demands competency and proficiency in all aspects of the nursing profession. Diploma in nursing course is designed to equip candidates with appropriate skills and knowledge to provide comprehensive clinical practice, community and midwifery nursing.

The course offers nurses with unique chance to access tailor-made nursing training, enhance candidates action in policy formulation, and the ability to taken leadership duties in the nursing field. The diploma in nursing strengthens the significance of nursing specialists in providing healthcare to families, communities and nations.

Diploma in nursing curriculum provides holistic training exploring critical aspects of the profession. Coursework and course units covers crucial thematic areas governing the nursing profession including;

1. The basics of nursing and midwifery sciences
2. Professional practice of nursing and midwifery services
3. Effective nursing communication, counselling and basic ICT skills
4. Medical-surgical services covering clinical pharmacology
5. Midwifery and reproductive health training
6. Community health nursing covering; nutrition, leadership and health systems
7. Neonatal care and pediatric nursing
8. Home-based nursing and palliative care
9. Mental health and psychiatric nursing care
10. Nursing research
11. Advanced nursing care including; emergency care, intensive care, and renal nursing

Qualifications for a Diploma in Nursing

Becoming a professional nurse or midwifery specialist requires candidates to score good grades in their secondary school subjects. If you wonder what are the qualifications for diploma in nursing; requirements for KCSE nursing for fresh entry are indicated below;

1. Minimum of C (plain) in KCSE or KCE division II
2. C (plain) or credit in English or Kiswahili
3. C (plain) or credit in biology or other biological sciences
4. C- (minus) or pass in any of the following; physics, physical sciences, chemistry, or mathematics
5. Candidates with certificate in nursing can upgrade to diploma in nursing

Where Can I Study Diploma in Nursing in Kenya?

If you meet the diploma in nursing admission requirements described above, the next crucial consideration is deciding where to enroll for a nursing programme. Kenya is blessed with vibrant nursing schools, but finding an appropriate one can be challenging. There are many unlicensed schools, so you need to choose your nursing colleges wisely.

Fortunately, the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) has issued a concise guide for over 145 approved nursing schools open to you. These nursing colleges are spread across the country, thus it’s possible to find approved nursing college in your county.

Schools that Offer Diploma in Nursing in Kenya

According to NCK, there are over 145 approved nursing schools in Kenya. For the sake of this article, we will mention a few of the nursing schools for you can consider for a diploma in nursing;

1. Aic Litein school of nursing
2. Aic Kijabe college of health sciences
3. Aic Kapsowar school of nursing
4. Bondo Kmtc
5. Bungoma Kmtc
6. Busia Kmtc
7. Catherine McAULEY Nursing school
8. Cecily Mcdonnel college of health sciences
9. Clive Irvine college of nursing
10. Chuka Kmtc
11. Kilimo medical college
12. Edinburge college
13. Embu Kmtc
14. Eldoret Kmtc
15. Equip Africa college of medical and health sciences
16. Fafa Medical Training College
17. Fidenza school of nursing- Kyeni
18. Gatundu Kmtc
19. Garisa Kmtc
20. Gentrude Institute of Child Health and Research
21. Goshen medical college
22. Imperial college of medical and health sciences
23. Isiolo Kmtc
24. Iten Kmtc
25. Homabay Kmtc
26. Joan school of nursing
27. Jordan Hospital medical college
28. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital School of Nursing
29. Kabarnet Kmtc
30. Kapenguria Kmtc
31. Kapkatet Kmtc

What Can I Do with a Diploma in Nursing?

A diploma in nursing program equips you with the skills, knowledge and competencies to provide holistic nursing and midwifery care to patients at community, regional, and global scale. Upon successful completion of the course you can find employment in different areas including;

1. Hospitals working as healthcare line supervisors or managers
2. Clinical instructors in nursing colleges and schools
3. Nurses in hospitals and clinics
4. Nurses in non-governmental and community development organizations
5. Researchers in reputable organizations
6. Nurse in the humanitarian sector, among other areas

Final Words

Diploma in nursing is a market driven course equipping candidates with practical skills, knowledge and competencies to provide holistic nursing care locally, regionally and globally. You must have a KCSE mean grade C (plain) and pass in respective KCSE subjects to enroll for a nursing program. Upon successful completion of the course, career opportunities exist in various sectors including; hospitals, nursing schools, research institutions, to mention a few. You can also explore other C plain and C- minus courses in Kenya to widen your career choices.