Types of Nursing Courses in Ghana | 2024 Admission Requirements

There are numerous types of nursing courses in Ghana and they are all focused on doing one thing; caring for the sick.

This aspect of their job is why one can easily say that Nursing is one of the best medical courses and has been one of the best careers anyone can think of.

With many Nursing schools in Ghana that provide quality nursing education to thousands of nursing students across the nation, we will look at some of the best types of nursing in Ghana.

Our article will also tell you how long it takes to complete a nursing program in Ghana and which schools offer certificates for the different types of nursing courses in Ghana.

Nursing Colleges in Ghana and the Courses They Offer
- #1. University of Ghana – School of Nursing
- #2. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) – Department of Nursing
#3. Central University – School of Nursing
FAQs: Types of nursing courses in Ghana
- Conclusion
References
Recommendation

What are the requirements for nursing training in Ghana?

To get admitted into any of the nursing schools to study different types of nursing courses in Ghana, prospective students will need three (3) credit passes in three (3) core subjects and three (3) credit passes in three relevant elective subjects.

How many years is nursing in Ghana?

Most nursing schools in Ghana run a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program, with options in the final year for different types of nursing courses.

These nursing courses in Ghana include Paediatrics Nursing, General Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Community Nursing, and Midwifery.

Which school in Ghana offers a certificate in nursing?

There are numerous schools of nursing in Ghana and the list below outlines them, the region they are located in, and whether they are private or government-owned institutions.

University of Ghana, Legon, Accra	RGNRCNRMNRMPN	State	GREATER ACCRA REGION
2	Valley View University, Oyibi, Accra	RGNRMNRM	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
3	Central University College, Miotso	RGN	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
4	St. Karol Sch. of Nursing, Weija, Accra	RGN	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
5	Pentecost University College, Sowutuom Accra	RGNRM	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
6	West End University College, Weija Accra	RGN	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
7	Nursing & Midwifery Training School ,Korle-Bu, Accra	RGNRM	State	GREATER ACCRA REGION
8	Nursing & Midwifery Training School, 37Military, Accra.	RGNRM	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
9	Western Hills School of Nursing, Accra.	RGNNAC	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
10	Nightingale School of Nursing, Accra.	RGN	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION

11	NarhBita College , Tema	RGNRMNAC	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
12	Nurses Training College, Pantang.	RMN	State	GREATER ACCRA REGION
13	Nursing & Midwifery Training College, Pantang.	RMNAC	State	GREATER ACCRA REGION
14	Nursing & Midwifery Training College, Teshie.	RGNRMNAC	State	GREATER ACCRA REGION
15	Martin Luther Health Training School,	NAC	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
16	OPEN	RGNRMNAC	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
17	Health Concern Ghana, Accra	NAC	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
18	Nyaniba Health Assistant Training School, Tema	NAC	Private	GREATER ACCRA REGION
19	Ophthalmic Nursing School, Korle-Bu	Critical Care Nursing &Peri-Operative Nursing School	State	GREATER ACCRA REGION
20	Critical Care Nursing &Peri Operative Nursing School	CCNPON	State	GREATER ACCRA REGION

To view the rest of the nursing schools in Ghana that are accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and offer different types of nursing courses, kindly check out the list here.

The Need for Nursing by the Numbers

Ghana is amid a historic nursing shortage and needs students willing to enter this distinguished profession.

They will not only help solve the nursing shortage issue but also help humanity get the best medical care.

To do this, you need to get into a nursing school and study any of the different types of nursing courses in Ghana. If you do so, you will play a key role in shaping healthcare’s future.

The Nursing Shortage

The lack of nurses in Ghana is a problem with long-term consequences, issues no country, especially Ghana, would not want to go through.

This lack could all contribute to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections that the world could be short 13 million nurses by 2030.

Conversely, according to the BLS, there will be ample domestic job opportunities for any type of nursing course in Ghana, and such jobs are projected to grow significantly between now and 2030.

The BLS also projects 60,700 openings for licensed practical nurses/licensed vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs) per year during the period, plus 194,500 annual openings for registered nurses (RNs) and 29,400 annual openings for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).

Several factors are driving the nursing shortage. One factor is the ageing population, which increases the demand for care.

Access to care is also a contributing factor, as are the shortage of primary care providers and the high number of nurse retirements.

Nurse burnout is also a concern: 34% of nurses plan to leave their current roles by the end of 2022. The pandemic accelerated this issue, particularly in rural areas.

Therefore, new registered nurses can help mitigate issues caused by the nursing gap in rural and non-rural areas. Nurse practitioners can also use their knowledge and competencies to help close the primary care gap.

Nursing Colleges in Ghana and the Courses They Offer

There are many nursing schools in Ghana, offering courses in different specializations. Below are the top nursing colleges in Ghana and the courses they offer.

#1. University of Ghana – School of Nursing

The University of Ghana has one of the best nursing schools in Ghana. They have several nursing programs that are made considering the rising need for healthcare workers. The key courses include:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing): A four-year degree to train the students to be registered nurses in clinical practice, health + safety management, and patient care.

Diploma in Nursing: This program, on the other hand, is meant for those who wish to gain practical nursing experience in a shorter amount of time than it would take to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Post Basic Midwifery: This specialized course provides trained nurses with the platform and resources they need to develop their midwifery and maternal health competencies.

The nursing programs of the University of Ghana are designed to produce nurse graduates who can work in a wide range of healthcare settings with input from theoretical knowledge and hands-on clinical experience.

#2. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) – Department of Nursing

KNUST is a top-performing university offering the following. It offers a comprehensive nursing curriculum that equips students with how best nursing practices in modern society.

BSc Nursing:
MSc Nursing
PhD in Nursing

#3. Central University – School of Nursing

The School focuses on nursing and public health. The school has numerous programs available at an undergraduate and postgraduate level with clinical practice included as part of the public health education. Key courses include:

BSc Nursing: A four-year program that helps students in patient care, clinical techniques, and health management.

Midwifery: Programs that focus on mother and infant care.

Public Health Nursing – This would help prepare nurses for community health problems and strategies in addition to implementing public health policies.

Students at Central University receive a broader education that integrates practical experience and community engagement, creating opportunities to lead in various roles across public health and healthcare sectors.

#4. Valley View University – Department of Nursing

The Nursing Department at Valley View University takes a holistic view of nursing by integrating Christianity with clinical practice. Major courses typically offered are :

BSc Nursing: A degree program that develops clinical and patient care skills.

Diploma in Midwifery– This is a professional midwifery practice course with maternal and child health content.

Post-Basic Programs: Post-basic programs are advanced programs that provide specializations to nurses who want to further studies in different healthcare fields.

Valley View University is known for producing well-qualified and compassionate healthcare workers.

#5. Presbyterian University College – Nursing Department

Presbyterian University College—Greater Accra the Nursing Department of Presbyterian is also highly respected, producing competent health professionals with well-laid-out nursing programs. The courses offered include:

BSc Nursing: They offer a four-year program that trains students in nursing practice such as patient care, ethics, and clinical skills for registered nursing.

Post-Basic Midwifery This is another specialist course that equips registered nurses with skills in maternal and neonatal health.

Presbyterian University College is modernized by incorporating enough clinical practices in conjunction with a high theoretical base to ensure that its graduates are endowed with considerable knowledge for various sorts of healthcare positions.

#6. Accra College of Nursing

Accra College of Nursing is a well-established institution offering nursing education tailored to community health needs. Key courses include:

Certificate in Community Nursing: This course is aimed at training students to provide health care services within the community. It concentrates more on preventive healthcare, which is also in line with primary healthcare.

Registered General Nursing:- A graduate program targeting general medical care to help train nurses for working in various settings such as hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare environments.

Accra College focuses on skills for immediate use and community-oriented healthcare.

#7. 37 Military Hospital Nurses Training College

Located in Accra, the 37 Military Hospital Nurses Training College is a dedicated military healthcare institution that voids specialized nursing programs. It is a systematic and organized framework of nursing schooling. Some of the critical courses provided are:

Registered General Nursing: Suitable for students keen to develop the basic skills needed in general nursing practice including health and patient management, and an understanding of medical ethics.

Midwifery — specialized in maternal health, labor, and delivery.

Emergency and Intensive Care Specializations: Emergency and intensive care nursing provides advanced training programs for nurses who wish to specialize in emergency care, trauma response, or working with multiple patients in an ICU.

This university is famous for producing trained nurses in civilian and military fields.

#8. Martin Luther King Health Training School

The Martin Luther King Health Training School is an Accra institution that provides nursing certificate programs.

Two of the available nursing programs are nurse assistant clinical (NAC) and diploma nursing assistant clinical (HAC).

Health Concern

This is a private college in Ghana providing nursing education. The Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Council accredits the college in Accra to offer various programs. The college offers two programs of study:

Nurse Assistant Clinical (NAC)
Diploma in Midwifery.

#9. Kumasi Nurses and Midwifery Training School

One of Ghana’s nursing schools is Kumasi Nurses and Midwifery Training School. It provides BSC programs in health and nursing courses. Among the nursing programs available are:

Diploma in Registered General Nurse (RGN)
Registered Mental Nurse (RMN) diploma
Diploma in Registered Community Health Nurse (RCHN)
Certificate in Community Health Nursing (CHN)
Ophthalmic Nursing
Public Health Nursing
Peri-Operative Nursing
Critical Care Nursing

Different Types of Nursing Degrees

A nursing degree provides a clear path to job advancement. Every progressive degree gives nurses the skills and information they need to develop into more senior positions in the healthcare industry and have a bigger influence on patient outcomes and the quality of care.

While the scope of practice changes as nurses move up the ladder, the core goal remains quality patient care and outcomes.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certificate

With a certificate in a CNA program, one can become a certified nursing assistant or CNA. You will need at least a diploma and not less than 75 hours of training or more to earn this certificate.

As an entry-level role, a Certified Nursing Assistant provides vital support to both patients and nurses.

From transporting, bathing, and feeding hospital patients to stocking medical supplies and logging patient information, CNAs are on the ground, enhancing patient outcomes.

Nursing Informaticist

Nursing informaticists create and oversee electronic documentation and record-keeping systems. They also oversee system architecture to ensure efficiency, system security, and compliance with confidentiality policies and mandates. The estimated 2022 median annual salary for the role, per Payscale, was $85,000.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate or Diploma

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) certificate or certification is a prerequisite for becoming a nurse. There is also a one-year training requirement. Community colleges, high schools, trade schools, and hospital programs can offer this credential.

As a Licensed practical nurse, you are tasked with providing basic patient care. You are also expected to work under the direction of a registered nurse or doctor.

LPNs perform basic medical tasks, such as checking vital signs and administering medication. They’re an important link between a patient, their family, and their healthcare team

Associate Degree

As an associate degree holder in nursing, you can perform health assessments, administer vaccines and IVs, dress wounds, and develop patient plans.

You need at least two years of study to do this. An associate degree often leads to RN licensure, which can be completed as an initial step toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN)

According to healthcare facilities and professional associations, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is the preferred entry level for registered nurse practice.

A BSN degree can lead to employment in more complex settings, including community and public health, acute and critical care, long-term care, and outpatient settings. Typically, earning one requires four years of study.

BSN programs are in two varieties that one can finish. Traditional undergraduate students without a license can pursue a BSN, whereas registered nurses (RNs) with an associate degree can enrol in an RN to BSN program.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

A master’s nursing science degree (MSN) prepares a nurse for leadership roles in advanced nursing practice.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than nursing and who want to become licensed registered nurses can enrol in the entry-level MSN program.

After earning a BSN, registered nurses can enroll in a range of MSN programs, which focus on various roles, such as advanced practice registered nurses, nurse educators, executive nurse leaders, and nursing informaticists.

Nurse Educator

Nurse educators provide nursing education in various settings to student nurses and those practicing in healthcare settings.

Educators may teach nursing curricula, instruct prospective nurses in various healthcare subjects, supervise students’ clinical lab work, and provide unit-based or institution-level education for various healthcare providers.

Nursing Executive

Nurse executives can include chief nursing officers (CNOs), healthcare organizational or corporate leaders, or academic deans. One example of a nurse executive, a CNO oversees the operational and administrative procedures of a facility’s nursing department.

They develop strategies to streamline nursing processes and manage a facility’s nursing resources. They also ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and policies

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Becoming a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the preferred entry-level practice for all APRN clinical roles (clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse anaesthetist, and nurse midwife).

As a nurse with a doctorate in Nursing, you prepare individuals to be systems change agents who identify and address clinical practice problems to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

The highest degree available for practising nursing is the DNP. DNP programs can educate graduates for employment in organizational and executive leadership, health policy, or nursing informatics in addition to APRN concentrations.

Nurses who already hold an MSN can obtain this degree in a post-master’s DNP program, while RNs with only a BSN can do so through a BSN-DNP program.

Post-Graduate Certificate

An MSN or DNP and certification in one or more APRN jobs are prerequisites for obtaining a post-graduate credential.

Through extra coursework and practical experiences, an advanced practice certificate (APRN) broadens the practice area for APRNs into new patient demographics and/or practice settings.

These can include certificates such as family nurse practitioner (FNP), pediatric nurse practitioner-primary care (PNP-PC), pediatric nurse practitioner-acute care (PNP-AC), and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)

They also have adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNP) and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNP) roles, as well as many other APRN roles.

PhD in Nursing

A doctorate in nursing, or Ph.D., equips nurses to conduct research and further the field of nursing science. PhD programs require considerable effort and cover leadership, statistics, and research methodologies.

A nurse with an MSN, DNP, or BSN can also obtain the degree. Nurses with doctorates typically hold positions as nursing faculty in higher education, insurance businesses, and nurse researchers in healthcare facilities.

Courses under nursing courses in Ghana.

Nursing Fundamentals
Physiology
Introduction to Psychology
Microbiology
Gerontology
Psychology and Mental Health
Pharmacology
Women and Infant Health
Leadership Management
Ethics in Nursing
Community and Environmental Nursing
Care Transitions
Population Health
Clinical Theory
Clinical Study

FAQs: Types of nursing courses in Ghana

What subjects are covered in nursing courses?

Nursing courses generally cover subjects related to biology and chemistry. Biology courses focus on anatomy, epidemiology, microbiology, and physiology. Chemistry courses include biochemistry, organic chemistry, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. Outside of the life sciences, nursing courses include study in mathematics, psychology, and sociology.

Are nursing classes hard?

Programs are intended to prepare nurses for a rigorous profession; they can be intense and challenging, but not impossible. Courses teach the complicated practices necessary for nurses to provide the best care to their patients. To ensure nurses can perform to the best of their ability, programs need to ensure students are up to committing themselves to a difficult yet rewarding profession.

What is the easiest class in nursing school?

Some of the most accessible classes in nursing school tend to be general education courses. These often focus on memorising key terminology or developing soft skills, such as collaboration and communication. Some courses considered easier than others include the social sciences, introduction to speech, and information technology.

What is the shortest nursing program?

The shortest programs typically focus on becoming a practical nurse. Learners can become certified nursing assistants (CNAs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) quickly. CNA programs take 4-12 weeks to complete and prepare students to assist RNs in helping patients with daily functions. LPN programs take approximately one year to complete, preparing them to provide basic nursing tasks. Unlike CNAs, LPNs are licensed nurses.

Conclusion

The types of nursing courses in Ghana and the different degrees and certificates people earn in nursing do not change the core heart of nursing, which is care.

Whatever niche in nursing appeals to you, your job will improve people’s lives in your immediate community. This is a service to humanity and will make the world a better place.