Programme Description
The goal of Nursing over the years has been to contribute to the health of individuals, families and the society. Initially, nursing concentrated on the care and comfort of the ill and injured. However, as a result of recent advances in behavioral, biological, technological and physical sciences as well as changes in disease pattern, health perception and management; strenuous demands are placed on all forms of education thus, necessitating a re-examination of the relevance of the existing curricula to a rapidly changing society. Nursing education is faced with challenges due to rapid scientific advances and prevailing information explosion of the times thus placing strenuous demands on all forms of nursing education. The national diploma programme prepares student nurses who are to be equipped to provide client-centered and scientifically based care with emphasis on promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care. It is important that nurses view the recipient of nursing care as a total person functioning as a unified being through the utilization of the nursing process.
Nursing Education takes cognizance of the National Policy on Education (NPE) in developing sound educational principles, essential to the preparation of student nurses who will function as members of the multidisciplinary health team in health institutions and in the primary health care settings with the inter-sectorial collaborators in health. The National Diploma (ND) in Nursing is geared towards meeting the learning needs of student nurses, societal needs, philosophy of nursing, learning theories and professional standards.
The programme forms the basis for the practice of nursing and continuing education in the discipline of nursing. Furthermore, it is designed to develop the cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills of students in problem solving. Active participation in both hospital and community-based clinical services are essential for students’ acquisition of sound academic and clinical knowledge, attitudes and skills/practice.
This curriculum is based on the philosophy that the essential purpose of Nursing is to achieve optimum health for individuals, families and the community. It takes cognizance of the importance of preservation of human dignity, integrity and individuality. The philosophy is based on the following premises, that:
1. Man is a biological, spiritual, social and psychological being, whose needs are inherent part of his nature and therefore is affected by factors within his environment.
2. Health is a changing bio-psycho-social and spiritual level of wellness, which the client/patient is assisted to maintain through the utilization of the Nursing process.
3. Healthcare with emphasis on Primary Health Care is fundamentally related to the availability, accessibility and affordability of both health and socio-economic resources.
4 The client is capable of reasoning and possesses basic ideas, beliefs and values which guide his/her actions. He/she is an active partner in the nursing care process and participates in decision-making regarding his/her care and environment.
5. The student ns the client/patient and requires nursing knowledge, skills, attitudes and ethics to provide safe and effective health care.
6. Nursing education provides student nurses with evidence based practices through scholarly activities and translates knowledge in health sciences to improve healthcare delivery.
7. Nursing education is based on vast body of knowledge drawn from basic sciences, humanities, relevant theories, models and concepts for the training of qualitative and polyvalent practitioners.
At the end of the ND General Nursing education programme , the student nurses should be able to:
1. Apply the knowledge of biological, behavioral, technological and nursing sciences in assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care.
2. Utilize the nursing process as a framework for providing comprehensive nursing care to individuals and families in all health care settings.
3. Establish positive working relationship with the individual, family and the community and motivate them towards self-reliance in matters of health protection, promotion, maintenance and rehabilitation.
4. Assist in the application of the principles of primary health care in providing comprehensive, continuous and holistic care in the community.
5. Display ethical behavior in client/community care and amongst other health team members.
6. Assist in the maintenance of accurate patient records, reports and information systems in health institutions/ facilities and the community.
7. Apply knowledge and skills of first aid in the care of patients with emergency health conditions.
8. Provide an atmosphere of trust which allows for meeting the clients/ patients’ basic emotional needs
9 Utilize relevant knowledge in providing comprehensive nursing care to individuals, families and communities.
10. Identify and refer high-risk clients to other members of the health team for specialized care
11. Function independently and in collaboration with other members of the health team, and related sectors in planning, delivering and evaluation health and reproductive service
12. Assist in providing the necessary corrective experiences for the redirection of negative behavior to achieve personal growth.
The minimum entry requirement into the ND General Nursing programma is five (5) credit passes in WASC, SSCE,NATEB, NECO, or GCE “O” Level, at not more than two (2) sittings. The subject combination must include: Mathematics, English Language, Physics, chemistry and biology.
1. The ND General Nursing programme is non-terminal and shall last for two (2) years. It consists of four (4) semesters of classroom, clinical and laboratory activities in accredited institutions.
2. It also includes 4 months of Supervised Clinical Work Experience Scheme
(SCWES), which shall take place at the end of the second semester of the first year.
3. Each semester shall be of 17 weeks duration made up as follows:
-15 contact weeks of teaching (i.e. Lectures, Tutorial, Practical sessions, etc.) and
-Two (2) weeks for examinations.
The curriculum of the ND General Nursing programme consists of four main components.
These arc:
– General Studies/Education.
– Foundation Courses.
– Professional courses.
– Supervised Clinical Work Experience Scheme (SCWES).
The first three components form the theoretical aspect of the curriculum
The period of the SCWES would be in two parts of eight weeks each. The first part would be at the end of ND 1, while the other part would be at the end of ND II.
Clinical experience during the semesters shall continue as deemed necessary.
In the evaluation of the students during SCWES, the following should be considered:
a) Attendance
b) Punctuality
C) Competencies as a potential nurse practitioner
d)General attitude to work
e) Respect for authority
f) Interest in the field
To ensure uniformity of grading scales, the institution shall apply the Unified Grading System for SCWES.
The institution shall ensure that students on Clinical postings are closely monitored by the Clinical Instructors, Lecturers and preceptors.
The rate of stipend payable shall be determined from time to time by the Federal Government after due consultation with the Federal Ministry of Education, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
The completion of SCWES is important in the final determination of whether the student is successful in the programme or not. The SCWES shall be graded on a fail or pass basis.
Where a student has satisfied all other requirements of the programme but failed SCWES, he/she’may only be allowed to repeat another four months SCWES at his own expense.
1. Continuous Assessment (CA) 30
2. Attendance in Class 10
3. Semester Examination (Theory and Practical) 60
Total 100%
The institution shall award the National Diploma (Nursing) certificate to candidates who successfully completed and passed the prescribed continuous assessment, examinations, client care study and the Supervised Clinical Work Experience. Such candidates should have completed a minimum of between 72 to 80 semester credit units. However, the ND certificate shall not be awarded to the student until the successful completion of the HND Nursing programme when the two certificates shall be awarded together. Therefore, all admitted students are to sign an undertaking not to have a break in training as the ND and HND are continuous programme.
Diploma shall be awarded based on the following classification.
Distinction – CGPA 3.50 – 4.00
Upper Credit – CGPA 3.00 – 3.49
Lower Credit – CGPA 2.50 – 2.99
Pass – CGPA 2.00 – 2.49
%score Range | Letter Grade |
70-100 | A |
60-69 | B |
50-59 | C |
40-49 | D |
0-39 | F |
1. The National Diploma in Nursing Programme is accredited by the NBTE in conjunction with Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, before the Awardee can be awarded any certificate.
2. Details about the process of accrediting a programme are available from the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education, Plot B, Bida Road, P.M.B. 2239, Kaduna, Nigeria or www.nbte.gov.ng and the Secretary-General/Registrar Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Plot 713, Cadastral Zone, Life Camp, Gwarimpa, Abuja. www.nmcn.gov.ng
3. Professional accreditation of the programme should be done by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria prior to commencement of the programme.
Lecture
Lecture Discussion Method
Demonstration method
Ward based teaching
Seminar
Role play
Field trip
Client care study
Student centered learning etc.
A. STUDENTS
A minimum of 75% attendance for each course and clinical practice per semester.
Active class participation
Continuous Assessment
End of semester examination
B. Programme
Course Evaluation
– Teacher Evaluation
The new curriculum is drawn in unit courses. This is in keeping with the provisions of the National Policy on Education which stresses the need to introduce the semester credit unis which will enable a student nurse who so wishes to transfer the units already completed to an institution of similar standard from which he/she is transferring. The success of the credit unit system depends on the articulation of programmes between the institutions and industries; the curriculum content has been written in behavioral objectives, so that it is clear to all, the expected performance of the student nurse who successfully completed some of the courses of the programme. The teaching of the theory and practical work should, as much as possible be integrated. Practical exercises especially those in professional courses and laboratory work should not be taught in isolation of the theory.
For each course, there should be a balance of theory to practical in the ratio of 50:50.
1. Headship of the College
The College shall be headed by a Provost who shall be a nurse with a minimum of first Degree in Nursing and Master’s Degree.
2 Academic Staff
a. Headship of the programme or Head of Department:
– The Head of Department shall be a nurse with a minimum of first Degree in Nursing and Master’s Degree.
– He/she must be registered and licensed with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria as an Educator.
-He/she must have a minimum of 10-12 years of teaching experience.
b. Core Teaching Staff (Lecturers and Instructors)
Lecturers
-The Department shall have a minimum of five (5) core lecturers for the ND
(Nursing) programme including the Head.
-Lecturers shall have a minimum of first degree in Nursing with teaching qualification.
-Other lecturers in the School shall also possess a minimum of first degree in their areas of specialization with teaching qualification.
Instructors
Instructors must have minimum qualification of Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery Education.
NOTE
The ratio of Registered Educators to students shall be 1:10
c. Service Courses
The service courses such as English, Computer science, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, Sociology, Microbiology, etc., shall be taught by lecturers who possess a minimum of first degree in those courses.
d. Clinical/Technical staff
For each practical facility, there must be a complement of clinical/technical staff which shall include: Clinical Instructors, Nurse Clinicians, Technologists and Technicians.
e. Part Time Lecturers
Where part time lecturers are required to teach a course, they should be paired with full-time lecturers.
f. Administrative Support Staff
Secretary
Administrative Officers
Clerical Staff
Office Assistants
Cleaners
The College of Nursing as a health Training Institute will require the following cadre of staff
1. Academic: Lecturers who are:
a. Nursing Educators
b. Midwifery Educators
c. Public Health Educators
d. Mental Health Educators
e. Primary Health Care Educators
f. General Science Lecturers
g. Guest Lecturers in all specialty areas
h. Clinical Instructors
i. ICT Teachers
Before sitting for the ND II Second semester examination, the student nurse shall be required to have written and submitted one (1) Client Care study (hospital or community-based).
There shall be Basic Science Laboratories (physics, chemistry, and medical microbiology) for practical’s.