Nursing is the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most respected of all the health care professions. There are more than 2.9 million registered nurses in the United States alone, Studies have shown that Nigeria requires around 621,205 nurses & midwives between 2016-2030.
Becoming a nurse in Nigeria requires going through the nursing training either in a School of Nursing, School of Basic midwifery or in a University. The training in the School of nursing is a hospital-based one that runs for three years and leads to the award of a Certificate in General Nursing.
Types of Nurses In Nigeria
In Nigeria, to become a specialist in some nursing discipline will require that you obtain an additional qualification usually a master’s degree. Find a list of different types of nursing specialties in Nigeria;
Registered Nurse (RN)
They constitute the largest group of nurses in Nigeria. Registered Nurses (RN) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members. Most registered nurses work in a team with physicians and other health care specialists in various settings. Depending on the type of registered nurse you’d like to become, you should consider whether an RN vs BSN degree is right for you. You will need either an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing to become an RN, therefore you can begin working in the field much sooner than other medical professions. As a registered nurse, you have the many career opportunities to work in different specialties depending on your interests.
Choose this Specialty If: you are seeking a career in the medicial field that allows you to work within a healthcare team to care for patients and would like to begin working only after two to four years of schooling.
Public Health Nurse
A public health nurse advocates and teaches communities about important health information concerning their society. They strive to educate their patients about different treatment options, prevention of disease and assist individuals with medical care. Choose this Specialty If: you are interested in helping the health of large communities of people rather than working one-on-one with a patient. SEE: 7 Things a Public Health Nurse Should Not Do
Cardiac Nurse
One of the leading causes of death globally today is heart disease. The demand for cardiac nurses continues to grow with the rising number of patients affected with heart-related problems. As a cardiac nurse, you will also assist with surgical procedures such as bypass, angioplasty, or pacemaker surgery. Choose this Specialty If: you are interested in issues related to the heart and would like to assist in various surgeries or developing treatment plans for patients.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a highly trained nurse that specializes in assisting with anesthesia during surgeries. CRNA’s make up some of the highest-paid nurse specialties in the medical field due to the high demand of these nurses in surgical settings and detailed training they receive. In order to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist, you must complete a degree from a graduate level program. Most certified registered nurse anesthetist in Nigeria have migrated to the West or Saudi Arabia where they are in high demand. Choose this Specialty If: you are interested in assisting patients manage their pain before, during and after surgeries or illness treatments.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Clinical nurse specialists are a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), who provide direct patient care by working with other nurses and staff to improve the quality of care a patient receives. They often serve in leadership roles and may educate and advise other nursing staff. Learn more about how to become a CNS, or explore more career options within the CNS specialty. Choose this Specialty If: you would like to pursue a leadership role within the nursing field and are interested in managing a staff of nurses while also practicing medicine.
Critical Care Nurse
Critical Care Nurses are very similar to Registered Nurses, especially in education level, but the main difference is that a critical care nurse is specifically trained for emergency situations. A critical care nurse can be expected to tend to serious wounds and monitoring life support systems in stressful scenarios. Choose this Specialty If: you would like to assist patients in major traumatic events such as serious injury or life threatening illness.
ER or A & E Nurse
With their team in the emergency room, an ER nurse performs an array of tasks after careful evaluation and stabilization of a patient. An ER nurse can be expected to determine proper medication administration by reviewing a patient’s medical charts, as well tend to basic wounds or ailments. Choose this Specialty If: you would like to assist patients with a wide variety of injuries or ailments in a high pressure scenario. SEE: Qualities Of A Good Nurse
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
A family nurse practitioner (FNP) are specifically trained in primary health care services for all ages. Normal duties of a family nurse practitioner include: diagnosing and treating illnesses, physical exams, diagnostic testing and prescribing medications. Choose this Specialty If: you would like to provide more in-depth and comprehensive medical care for patients of all ages.
Geriatric Nursing
A geriatric nurse specializes in the treatment of older patients in order to provide care for injuries or ailments, illness and maintain their quality of life. In addition to caring for older patients, they can also anticipate future care for their patients and long-term illnesses such as cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. Choose this Specialty If: you would like to help the aging community with their basic needs or more advanced treatment, ranging from medicinal care, physicals ailments or mental conditions.
Perioperative Nurse (Surgical/OR Nurse)
A perioperative nurse, also known as a surgical nurse or an operating room nurse, focuses on pre- and post-operation care for a patient. They can set up a surgical room for operations, manage the tools for operations, and apply bandages during surgeries to control and maintain the bleeding of a patient. Choose this Specialty If: you are interested in providing physical, emotional or mental care for women before, during, or after the birthing process.
Mental Health Nurse
A mental health nurse specializes in the diagnosis and treating of psychological disorders in patients. Counseling services are also often an essential duty within this nursing discipline. Choose this Specialty If: you are interested in developing a meaningful relationship with patients in order to provide them with an all-encompassing level of care that helps their emotional and mental needs.
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators are responsible for teaching nursing students about caring for patients. They may teach comprehensive lessons about nursing in general, or focus on specific areas of nursing. Learn more about How to Become a Nurse Educator or Nurse Educator Career Options. Choose this Specialty If: you would like to inspire individuals to work within the medical field in order to shape the next generation of nursing care.
Nurse Manager
The role of a nurse manager is that of a supervisory clinical path. Many nurse managers move into an administrative role and handle tasks that include recruitment of nurses, creating schedules and make decisions regarding budget and management. Choose this Specialty If: you desire an administrative position within the medical field and would like to manage a team of nurses.
Nurse Midwife
This is another popular specialization in Nigeria. A nurse midwife specializes in the care of pregnant women. They also assist in labor and delivery, as well as in prenatal appointments. Nurse midwives continue their care after the delivery room by educating and counseling new mothers on adjusting to life with a newborn. Choose this Specialty If: you are interested in a holistic approach to women’s health and childbirth.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners serve as primary and specialty care providers, delivering advanced nursing services to patients and their families. They may also perform physical examinations, order testing and prescribe medications. Choose this Specialty If: you would like to advance your nursing career in order to provide more in-depth care that is similar to that of a doctor’s care, but with more return on investment in terms of the cost of getting your degree.
Nursing Administrator
A nursing administrator is similar to a nurse manager, but on a much larger scale. One of the primary duties of a nursing administrator is to oversee entire units of nursing teams. The operation of the unit relies on the management of the nursing administrator to run smoothly and effectively. You will find this type of nurses in the Nursing and Midwifey Council of Nigeria (NMCN). Choose this Specialty If: you would like to manage large teams of nurses and thrive on organizational management.
Oncology Nurse
The treatment of cancer is what oncology nurses are highly trained in, and they help educate patients about their treatment options or remission status. Oncology nurses will continue to monitor their patients progress and symptoms, and can prescribe medications. Choose this Specialty If: you are seeking a nursing profession that allows you to care for a patient who is facing a critical illness and you are able to educate your patient and their families about treatments and different possible outcomes.
Orthopedic Nurse
Orthopedic nurses focus on musculoskeletal issues and diseases that include fractured bones, arthritis, joint replacements and osteoporosis. They can help care for physical issues, as well as intricate disease management. Choose this Specialty If: you would like to assist in the casting of broken bones, administering pain medication and developing plans to manage muscular/bone issues.
Pediatric Nurse
From infancy into teenage years, a pediatric nurse specializes in care for children. Much like other nurses, pediatric nurses can perform physical examinations, diagnose illness and develop treatment plans. Choose this Specialty If: you’re interested in providing basic medical care for children ranging from newborns into adolescents and young adulthood.
Travel Nurse
Travel nurses are unique in that they are able to move from location to location based on their contract, and interact with patients from numerous locations. Travel nurses also receive their hourly pay, accompanied by a housing stipend. Along with the satisfaction of working and learning in new locations, travel nurses are able to broaden their experiences both professionally and personally through their journey. In Nigeria, you will find this types on nurses on the Kaduna- Abuja train and in companies that operate a tour business. Choose this Specialty If: you want to live and work in different settings in order to gain both professional and life experience by exploring various settings. READ: Complete List- Private School Of Nursing In Nigeria
