Nursing Courses in Kenya; Qualifications, Salaries and Allowances
Nurses are trained medical professionals qualified to care for the ill and injured. To become a nurse in Kenya, you must enroll in a recognized program.
In Kenya, four main nursing programs are available. They consist of the following;
- Certificate in Nursing
- Diploma in Nursing
- Higher diploma in nursing
- Degree in nursing
Certificate in Nursing
Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) locations throughout the nation offer a nursing certificate.
A minimum cumulative grade of C- in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is necessary, along with a corresponding combination of additional subjects.
Subjects such as English, Kiswahili, biological sciences, mathematics, chemistry, and physical sciences are utilized to determine the combination.
Diploma in Nursing
Additionally, KMTC provides a diploma in nursing with a minimum needed mean grade of C.
A combination of pertinent subjects is evaluated. A certificate in nursing takes 2½ years, whereas a degree takes 3 ½ years.
Higher Diploma in Nursing
At KMTC, you need a diploma in nursing or community health nursing to get a higher diploma in nursing.
The same qualifications apply to the University of Nairobi and other public universities.
KMTC earned a certificate of registration and accreditation following a successful evaluation and subsequent endorsement as a Qualification Awarding Institution, which benefited HND holders (QAI).
The Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) has determined that the Diploma is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree.
Degree in Nursing
If you hold a diploma in nursing, you can upgrade to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. To upgrade at Mt Kenya University, for instance, the following credentials are required:
- Diploma in Nursing from an accredited school
- KCSE standard grade C or Division 3
- A valid license to practice issued by the Nursing Council of Kenya
- Two years of work experience as a registered nurse after graduation
Bachelor of Science in Nursing prerequisites at the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), and most public universities are as follows:
- Candidates must meet the minimum grade requirements in K.C.S.E. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili or the following:
- Biological Sciences, Physical Science, Mathematics, English or Kiswahili, and one subject from group two of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education.
- Alternatively, exceptional diploma holders from recognized Nursing Colleges may be admitted. These applicants must: Hold a degree with honors or distinction from one of these colleges.
- Be supported in their application by a letter from the college’s principal stating that their performance in the diploma course was exemplary and that their mastery of basic sciences will allow them to benefit from a degree program.
- Candidates who are currently employed must submit a letter from their employer in support of their application.
Short nursing programs
Universities in Kenya offer short medical courses to both people and corporations.
Entities such as corporations, organizations, and government agencies who want their employees to undertake training can submit a formal request to any medical institution and make the necessary preparations.
Listed below are some of the available short nursing courses:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatrics Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
- Nursing management
If you hold a valid practice license issued by the Nursing Council of Kenya, you can access various occupations based on your qualifications.
You can work at hospitals or in community settings such as individuals’ homes, health centers, or nursing homes.
Nursing salary in Kenya
Group G nurses in Kenya are the lowest paid. Public service compensation is categorized into 18 cadres. Job groups A through T, with A being the lowest cadre.
The pay range for entry-level nurses in job category G is between Ksh23,369 and Ksh29,826.
The base income for nurses in job group K is Ksh 40,000, whereas nurses in job group R receive between Ksh 109,089 and Ksh144,928.
In addition to the type of job they do, nurses are paid based on where they work and what kind of education they have.
ICU (Intensive Care Unit) nurses are compensated with a base wage of Ksh129,000.
Diploma-educated nurses make more than Ksh70,000 per annum. The average wage of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) nurses is Ksh68,000.
Allowance benefits:
Depending on the work category, house allowances range from Ksh. 3,500 to Ksh. 15,000, and extraneous costs range from Ksh. 15,000 to Ksh.
Health risk allowance Ksh. 3,850 to Ksh. 5,000, Uniform allowance Ksh. 10,000 per year, and a Commuter allowance of Ksh. 4,000 to Ksh. 14,000 per year.
Your allowance is defined by your academic credentials, job group, workplace area, and hospital classification.
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) regulates the salaries and benefits of nurses employed by the Public Service.
How much do Nursing Courses in Kenya in Kenya cost?
Costs for nursing programs vary from institution to school.
Therefore, you must examine the pricing structure of the nursing program at your preferred college to see how much you will be expected to spend.
That’s all there is to it. A comprehensive guide to nursing programs in Kenya, including entry requirements.
It is crucial to remain current on the available nursing courses and their prerequisites so that you may select the course that best matches your qualifications.
KMTC is one of the nation’s top medical training institutions. It offers a variety of courses, ranging from higher diplomas and diplomas to short courses for professional growth.
If you received lower KCSE scores, you could enroll in one of the various KMTC certificate programs to advance your medical studies.
In contrast to many other institutions, KMTC permits students with lesser grades to enroll in medical certificate courses and then upgrade later.
You can enroll in a certificate program and then advance through the diploma and degree levels.
Most certificate courses have a minimum entry criterion of a KCSE mean grade of C-.
