Nigerian Nurses and Midwives Urged to Pursue Doctorate Degrees for Enhanced Healthcare

Nigerian nurses and midwives have been strongly advised to upgrade their academic qualifications to a minimum of a Doctorate (PhD) degree to enhance healthcare delivery in the country. This call was made by Mr. Ndagi Alhassan, the Acting Registrar/CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), on Wednesday, during the first nursing induction ceremony of Gregory University Uturu’s pioneer set of 21 nurses and midwives.

Represented by Mrs. Eleanor Nwaka of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwifery, Owerri, Imo State, Alhassan emphasized that the Bachelor of Nursing Science degree program, while a high-standard educational foundation, is just a starting point. He stressed that advanced degrees are crucial for empowering nurses to make sound nursing diagnoses, design appropriate care plans, and implement and evaluate nursing care comprehensively, both clinically and politically.

“I encourage you to explore available opportunities,” Alhassan urged the newly inducted professionals. He highlighted that the Bachelor of Nursing Science program is designed to equip nurses with essential knowledge, clinical skills, and professional intelligence to deliver safe and efficient healthcare. Pursuing higher degrees would further improve the quality of nursing services in Nigeria by enabling nurses to contribute more significantly to patient outcomes and healthcare policy.

The NMCN also confirmed the implementation of an internship program for graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing Science, a move aimed at further equipping them for professional practice.

Various speakers at the induction ceremony, including the university’s founder, Professor Greg Ibe, and Vice Chancellor, Professor Celestina Njoku, echoed the call for continuous learning and professional development. They underscored that the healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, necessitating nurses to be at the forefront of these changes by embracing further education, advocating for their patients, and actively contributing to the advancement of the nursing profession.

The emphasis on higher education for Nigerian nurses comes amidst a global demand for highly skilled healthcare professionals and the nation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its healthcare system. While Nigeria has seen a significant surge in annual nursing enrollment (from 28,000 in May 2023 to 115,000 currently, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare), addressing issues of quality assurance, infrastructure, and ongoing professional development remains crucial. Advanced degrees are seen as vital for creating nurse leaders, educators, and researchers who can drive evidence-based practice and innovation in the sector.