06/06/2025
I never believed I would have to explain why HND nursing in Nigeria is a waste of time, but lots of people think it is a good idea, so let’s have further conversations.
ND/HND is four years( if you maintain a good GPA). After that, you must do a one-year mandatory internship and one-year NYSC( compulsory if you want to practice in Nigeria, I believe).
You spend 5-6 years just to get a higher Diploma ( it is still not a BSC, and in Nigeria, it is not an equivalent).
Now I see some people say you can do PGD for one year and move straight to a Master's degree. Yes, but it is not as straightforward as they say. Some schools will require you to complete further courses or prerequisites even after a PGD/ some will reject your application, it also depends on the Masters you are applying for.
So ask yourself, Masters in what? As far as I know, in most advanced countries if you want to do a masters in advanced nursing or any clinical nursing masters, you need a BSN. If you are going for a master's in leadership or a non-clinical master's then you might escape it.
Someone also said, that if the college is affiliated with the university you can bridge to BSC, please is this automatic or do you have to apply and hope to get admission?
Now do you know most countries BSC is 3-4 years and you are done? Or you do a diploma in nursing for two years( although you graduate with a different scope of practice, it still works as you will have a license that is recognised) Which is what NMCN should have adopted if they really want a change in nursing and this will curb auxiliary raaaabbbishhh in Nigeria.
The school of nursing they are scrapping is three years in school with combined practical and recognised worldwide! Those of us who finished used the certificate to better our lives with little to no stress.
Most used their nursing school certificate and got their BSC in UK within one year, some fully sponsored by their employers, so they were working full time and studying for free! Time and money saved/career progression check!
It is okay to scrap it, but bringing in HND? Naaaa
Most nurses in Nigeria wish to migrate abroad and that is a fact, yes not everyone will leave but many will or plan to. The three years in the school of nursing is the best thing for Japa!
you don't stress about internship or NYSC, just graduate and off to the UK or USA.
Now you will have to remain in Nigeria for 6-7 years before you even think of migrating.
Ok, not everyone will migrate, those that would remain in Nigeria, how much will you pay HND nurse? How much will you pay a BSC nurse? Because you won't pay them the same thing and of course, more problems because now they spend almost the same number of years but different qualifications with the same scope of practice. This will cause more division in nursing than we are currently seeing.
What happens to the matrons or older nurses currently with only RN? Will they sit down and watch a new HND earn more than them? I believe we all know the answer.
I've seen nurses struggle to get internship slots, some even go as far as buying slots, or stay at home one or two years doing nothing but wait! so yes more money for hospitals/organisations but nurses will come to the job market and be paid like they don't deserve a comfortable life.
If you have to study for JAMB Please aim for a higher score and get admission for BSC.
If you can afford to study abroad, do it!
Nursing is still a great profession but if you are not sure of leaving Nigeria and you want a comfortable life, study other health courses, I have mentioned a few here before, they have better pay and less stress trust me!
Nurse Deo might be wrong but woo e no concern this user sha🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ps: this is not to say if you get admission to study ND/HND nursing in nigeria that you should not, this is just me thinking out loud, how you start does not define you but how you finish. And some people learn by experience so do you!
