Becoming an auxiliary nurse in Nigeria has never been this beneficial. The country has a very high population, and despite the numerous efforts made by the Nigerian Nursing and Midwifery Council in Nigeria, there are still barely enough nurses to meet up with the demands of the health sector.
However, while nursing is a great profession that many people would like to be a part of, not everyone has the time and resources to become a registered nurse. Still, the good news is that there is a more straightforward option.
The easiest way to join nursing is to become an auxiliary nurse in Nigeria. If that is your aim today, you have come to the right place; keep reading to learn more about auxiliary nursing and how you can become an auxiliary nurse in Nigeria.
See also: 8 Fantastic Benefits of Bitter Leaf
Who is an Auxiliary Nurse in Nigeria
An auxiliary nurse or nurse assistant is a medical personnel that has undergone training to assist registered nurses in health facilities. Auxiliary nurses can work in hospitals, homes, schools, outreach programs, etc.
The duties of auxiliary nurses range from cleaning equipment, feeding patients at meal times, washing and dressing patients, checking for vitals, helping disabled and elderly patients with toileting, etc. These days, auxiliary nurses now also treat patients and carry out minor medical procedures under the supervision of a registered nurse, especially in private hospitals.
It is not supposed to be so; take note that auxiliary nurses are not professionally trained and do not have nursing licences, so they can’t directly administer treatment and carry out medical procedures on patients. So if you want to become an auxiliary nurse, you must understand the clear line between auxiliary nursing and professional nursing and learn to stick to your roles.
As we progress in the guide, we will discuss these differences, but first, let’s see how you can become an auxiliary nurse in Nigeria.
How to Become an Auxiliary Nurse in Nigeria
Auxiliary nursing doesn’t require a licence or degree, and it doesn’t have a specific duration for training since it is not a professional job.
Becoming an auxiliary nurse in Nigeria is very simple; all you have to do is look for a good hospital or technical school and take a short training course where you will be awarded a certificate by the Nigerian Nurses Association. Mind you; this certificate is not a nursing licence; it only qualifies you as a nursing aide or assistant.
The training can take 1 to 2 years, depending on the hospital or school, and the best part of it is that it provides you with both classroom instructions and hands-on experience because you will be trained in a healthcare facility. Some topics you will learn in auxiliary nursing include anatomy, physiology, patient care, medical terminology, and ethics related to patient care.
See also: LASUTH Performs First Ventricular Septal Defect Closure in Nigeria
What are the Requirements to Learn Auxiliary Nursing
- You must be up to 18 years of age.
- You must have completed WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB with 5 credits in compulsory subjects.
- You must be medically fit.
- You may be required to take an entrance exam, and your training will commence only if you pass.
- You must present a letter of recommendation from your secondary school, church or community leader.
Difference Between a Registered Nurse and an Auxiliary Nurse in Nigeria
An auxiliary nurse can do almost the same thing a registered nurse does, but auxiliary nurses can only work under a registered nurse’s or physician’s supervision. A registered nurse is professionally trained and licenced to administer treatment plans based on diagnosis and constantly monitor their patients’ progress against those plans.
Registered nurses can assist doctors during surgery and administer anaesthesia to patients before surgery. In addition to this, registered nurses are also responsible for supervising auxiliary nurses in their working units.
On the other hand, an auxiliary nurse can only perform minor medical procedures and follow instructions to assist a registered nurse. Also, an auxiliary nurse doesn’t have to go to a university, college or nursing school; they do not work with a nursing licence.
Can an Auxiliary Nurse in Nigeria Become a Registered Nurse?
Auxillary nurses can advance in their careers and become registered nurses, but they will still have to start from scratch, like every other nursing student. No university, college or nursing school will accept your auxiliary nursing qualification for admissions, so you will need to take jamb and get admitted following the standard procedure.
However, the good part is that your study process will be easier, and you will do better at school because you already have practical knowledge of the course. In addition, while in school, you can also practice as an auxiliary nurse while studying to earn extra cash.
See also: What are the Benefits of Cucumber
Auxiliary nursing is a lucrative profession in Nigeria and, amazingly, one of the easiest and fastest training you can get in the medical field. As the number of hospitals in the country keeps increasing, there will be a rise in demand for nurses.
Also, as an auxiliary nurse, you can work as a freelancer and make a lot of money; you don’t have to be in any medical facility. So there are numerous benefits and opportunities for auxiliary nurses in Nigeria, and becoming one of them may be the best career choice you will ever make.
