Last Updated on November 8, 2022
Are you interested in knowing about the certificate in Nursing in Kenya registration requirements, duration, and fees? If so, here’s everything you need to know. Keep reading for more information.
In Kenya, a Certificate in Nursing is an entry-level requirement for anybody interested in this profession. To qualify for these opportunities, one must be trained and licensed. The government, through different organizations, has streamlined the training and licensing of nurses.
Here’s what you need to know in terms of training, where you can train, and, more importantly, the estimated fees for each institution.
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Requirements for Certificate in Nursing in Kenya
While different colleges and universities have the freedom to customise learning, the basic entry requirements are similar across all institutions. The main goal of harmonising entry requirements is to ensure that all professionals have equal employment opportunities — both in Kenya and overseas. Certificate in Nursing qualifications in Kenya include:
- Mean grade of C- (Minus)
- C- (Minus) in English or Kiswahili
- C- (Minus) in Biology or Biological Sciences
- D+ (plus) either Chemistry or in Physics
How Long Does a Nursing Certificate Course Take?
Unlike other certificate courses in Kenya, which take two years, a certificate in nursing takes two and a half years. After training for this period, you can practice nursing for a minimum of two years before qualifying for another course. The institutions offering Certificate in Nursing have structures for further studies.
In addition, different colleges have different approaches to industrial attachment. However, most colleges have affiliations with hospitals and health facilities. These institutions give graduates a chance to interact with patients and other health professionals.
After completing your studies, you must register at the National Nursing Council to practice in Kenya. Besides, Kenyan nurses can work anywhere in the world, even in developed nations.
Colleges Offering Certificate in Nursing in Kenya
The Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the Nursing Council of Kenya, regulates and licenses colleges interested in offering nursing courses, especially at the certificate level. Therefore, you can pursue a certificate in community health nursing in Kenya in a public institution or a private college. Here are schools offering Certificate in Nursing in Kenya.
1. Kenya Medical Training College
Since 1990, the Kenya Medical Training College has been at the forefront in training and equipping students with the necessary skills to practice in various medical fields. Although the majority of students at KMTC are diploma students, the institution also offers certificate courses.
Does KMTC offer Certificate in Nursing? Yes, the institution offer certificate in nursing and other medical-related training. Unlike other colleges where a student has to travel to an urban centre for education, the institution has 65 campuses around the country.
The certificate-nursing students are under self-sponsorship classification. The annual fee to pursue a Certificate in Nursing at KMTC is Ksh 80,700.00 — for 2020 to 2021 admissions.
2. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Training Centre (MTRH)
Located in Eldoret, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Training Centre is one of the best colleges offering a Certificate in Nursing in Kenya. Training in MTRH has many advantages, especially if you want to understand the Kenyan health sector and probably be absorbed in public healthcare.
Apart from high-qualified instructors, students have access to the biggest referral hospital in the northern part of Kenya. The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Training Centre is a government institution, and therefore fees are relatively low.
Like in KMTC, certificate students pay between Ksh 80,000 to Ksh 100,000 in a year. The institution, however, has the power to change the standard fees.
3. PCEA, Chogoria Hospital Clive Irvine College of Nursing
Clive Irvine College of Nursing is an accredited training college in Chogoria. The college is part of PCEA, Chogoria Hospital, and it offers diploma and certificate courses. Nursing students from this institution have access to Chogoria Hospital, which is one of the most efficient hospitals in Meru County.
Although Clive Irvine College of Nursing is under the PCEA Church, the fees and course duration are harmonised by the Ministry of Education — through TVETA. For day scholars, the fee ranges from Ksh 95,000 to Ksh 151,400, depending on the year of study. The boarders pay between Ksh 131,000 to Ksh 141,000, depending on the year of study.
4. Gertrude’s Institute of Child Health and Research – Muthaiga
The Gertrude’s Institute of Child Health and Research is one of the best private colleges offering Certificate in Nursing in Kenya. However, unlike most colleges, GICHR has a different approach to training and empowering future nurses. All the nursing courses, for example, have an international-inspired curriculum.
Also, Gertrude’s Institute of Child Health and Research is an ideal institution for people inspiring to pursue children-related care training. Conversely, the fee structure depends on the course and, more importantly, the scope of what you want to study. Contact 020 720 6000 for more information.
5. The Nairobi Women’s Hospital College
Apart from serving Kenyans, the Nairobi Women’s Hospital has one of the best nursing schools in the country. The Nairobi Women’s Hospital College has a different approach to training nurses. For example, unlike other institutions, the school allows diversification at the certificate level as opposed to taking a general approach to training.
The fees and course structures depend on what you are studying. For example, students studying Certificate in Health Care Assistant do not have a similar fees structure to students undertaking Certificate in Peri-Operative Theatre Technology. The payable fees range from Ksh 85,000 to 300,000 per year.
6. Consolata Hospital, Nkubu School of Nursing
Consolata Hospital, Nkubu School of Nursing, is located in Meru County. Owned by the Catholic Church, the nursing school’s main agenda is to prepare students to serve humanity. Besides, all the instructors are highly qualified.
Although Consolata Hospital, Nkubu School of Nursing is a private institution, the fees are harmonised. The Nkubu School of Nursing fees range from Ksh 95,000 to Ksh 150,000 but are subject to changes. Like other nursing schools affiliated with hospitals, students at Nkubu School of Nursing do not pay to access the hospital.
7. University of Eastern Africa Baraton
The University of Eastern Africa Baraton is one of the few universities offering certificate courses in nursing. Located in Eldoret, the private university neighbours some of the biggest hospitals in the region. Therefore, students have access to hospitals and health facilities in the area.
Also, the instructors are highly qualified, and for this reason, the University of Eastern Africa Baraton has the highest number of graduates working overseas.
While the university is under the Seventh-day Adventist church, it has the lowest fees for certificate courses. For example, all science-related courses, including a Certificate in Nursing, have an average fee of Ksh 40,000 exclusive administration costs.
8. Fafa Medical Training College – Kakamega
In 2018, the County Government of Kakamega opened the Fafa Medical Training College. The training college operates under the Nursing Council of Kenya and the Ministry of Education. One of the courses offered at Fafa Medical Training College is the Certificate in Nursing.
The training college has an almost similar approach to admission to other colleges in the country. For example, the Certificate in Nursing requirements is a minimum of C- (mean grade), C- in English or Kiswahili, a C- in Biology or Biological Sciences, and D+ In either Chemistry or Physics.