Various factors such as the quality of education offered, the cost of living and the employment opportunities contribute to the choice of a country to study nursing. However, there are certain African countries that have some of the best nursing education programs in the world. Some of these countries include South Africa, Cyprus and Tunisia.
South Africa
Considering the quadruple burden of disease in South Africa, it is critical to invest in adequately trained nurses. This has been highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which called for investment in the health professions, faculty and staff development and curriculum review. However, evidence from South Africa suggests that the education system has not grown to meet the health system’s needs.
The Nursing Qualifications Framework was developed to address this shortage. It aims to train more professional nurses by proposing a baccalaureate degree for professional nurses. The new course also aims to address a gap in basic nursing care by proposing an integrated course leading to registration as a professional nurse. This course includes general nursing, psychiatric nursing, midwifery and community health nursing. However, it does not address the social accountability required for nurses.
Nigeria
Choosing nursing as a career is one of the most enviable professions in Nigeria. Nurses assist patients during their most vulnerable moments. The profession is also very lucrative. Many choose to practice nursing overseas. In Nigeria, nurses are the backbone of the health care system. Increasing frontline worker capacity is essential for building sustainable health care systems.
Nursing schools in Nigeria are federally funded. The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria maintains a world-class standard of education and professional practice. They issue Registered Nursing (RN) and Registered Midwifery (RM) certificates to graduates.
In addition to training future nurses, some of these schools also provide direct practical training. The Lagos University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing is one of the best nursing schools in Nigeria.
Cyprus
During the last decade, Cyprus went from having no medical schools to having three medical programmes. It was also awarded two top spots in the ‘New Europe’ table of the best research-intensive universities.
A recent study examined factors that were not included in other studies. For example, it explored student nurses’ experiences of learning in a clinical setting. It found that in Cyprus, nursing students’ perceptions of clinical placements and supervision by qualified staff were ‘good’. In addition, it identified quality of nursing care as an important factor.
Moreover, Cyprus’ higher education sector contributed EUR900 million to the local economy in 2016, and is forecasted to exceed 49000 students in the 2018-2019 academic year. This represents a growth of 80 per cent over the last decade.
Tunisia
Located on the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Tunisia is a small country in North Africa. It is home to an impressive range of cultural traditions, from Phoenicians to Berbers to Vandals. It is also a country of archaeological treasures.
Its population is mainly Arab. However, Jews make up about 1 percent of the population. There are also many indigenous peoples, such as Phoenicians, Vandals and Berbers.
Tunisia was the first country in the Middle East-North Africa region to receive an education loan from the World Bank in 1962. The loan was used to increase the efficiency of secondary education. This was a large investment on the part of the Tunisian government. It was augmented by other loans and grants for education.
The Ministry of Education plays a key role in Tunisian education. It is composed of a cabinet, a board of directors, and various regional departments. It also has a ministerial oversight committee. In addition, the Ministry of Higher Education administers the postsecondary education system in Tunisia.
Nelson Mandela University
Located in South Africa, Nelson Mandela University offers quality education at an affordable cost. The university is also committed to fostering innovation and creativity among students and scholars. The university offers a variety of programmes, including undergraduate and postgraduate nursing.
The university is recognized by the Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa. The university aims to help students address epic challenges facing society and economy today. It has been ranked as one of the 13 Best Global Universities.
Its main campus is located in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. The university is also a member of the Life College of Learning, which has satellite campuses across South Africa. The institution offers a variety of health-related courses, including nursing and midwifery. It also offers auxiliary nursing diplomas, medical assistance, and public first aid training.
