Nursing and midwifery programmes in Ghana

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Health runs different training programmes in the country to prepare personnel for the provision of quality health care to people living in Ghana.

The training programmes are classified into the following groups:

1.1 NURSING AND MIDWIFERY PROGRAMMES

These programmes prepare graduates to work in nursing and midwifery fields. They are regulated by the Nurses and Midwives Council of Ghana. Health Training Institutions (HTIs) offering Registered General Nursing, Registered Midwifery, Registered Mental Health Nursing, Registered Community Nursing, Community Health Nursing and Health Assistant Clinical Programmes are located in each region. Applicants interested in pursuing any of these programmes should note that they shall be required to undertake their rotations/ internship/ National Service AND at least the first two years of employment in the region of location of the Institution attended

(With the exception of students who receive support from institutions outside the region of training).

1.1.1NURSING AND MIDWIFERY PROGRAMMES

1.Registered Community Nursing (RCN)

2.Registered General Nursing (RGN)

3.Registered Mental Nursing (RMN)

4.Registered Midwifery (RM) (Females)

5.Critical Care Nursing

6.Peri-Operative Nursing

7.Ear Nose and Throat Nursing

8.Ophthalmic Nursing

9.Post Basic Midwifery (Females)

10.Post Basic Midwifery (Male)

11.Public Health Nursing

1.1.2AUXILIARY PROGRAMMES

1.Community Health Nursing (CHN)

2.Health Assistant Clinical (HAC)

1.2ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMMES

These programmes prepare graduates to work in other facilities. They are regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council and the Medical and Dental Council of Ghana. Institutions offering these programmes offer training in a wide range of Allied Health fields. These include Medicine, Public Health, Environmental Health, Physiotherapy and Orthotics, Optical, Dental and Medical Laboratory Technology.

1.2.1ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMMES OFFERED IN HTIs

1.Anaesthesiology

2.Community Mental Health

3.Community Oral Health and Medicine

4.Field Technician (Community Health)

5.Environmental Health (Certificate)

6.Health Records Management

7.Optical Technology

8.Physiotherapy/Orthotics Technology

9.Community Medicine & Health – (Direct & Post Basic Entry)

10.Clinical Psychiatry

11.Environmental Health (Diploma)

12.Dermatology and Venereology

13.Technical Officer (Dental Surgery Option)

14.Technical Officer (Dental Technology Option)

15.Technical Officer (Community Health – Disease Control& Surveillance Option) – Direct & Post Basic Entry

16.Technical Officer (Community Health – Nutrition Option) – Direct & Post Basic Entry

17.Technical Officer (Health Information Option) – Direct & Post Basic Entry

18.Technical Officer (Health Promotion& Social Marketing Option) – Direct & Post Basic Entry

19.Technical Officer (Medical Laboratory Technology Option)

1.3CATEGORIES OF PROGRAMMES BY LEVEL AND CERTIFICATION

In terms of certification training programmes are categorized into the following:

Auxiliary / Certificate Programmes:

These programmes are designed to turn out health workers who are non-professionals. This cadre mainly work under the supervision of health professionals. The programmes are mainly for those who are applying with their SSSCE or WASSCE results and require no previous knowledge in any health related field. However, previous experience in health facilities (such as Health Extension Workers, NIDs volunteering, Ward Assisting, etc.) may give the applicant an urge during the interview and selection process. Auxiliary programmes are run for 2 years, and successful completion leads to the award of Academic/Professional Certificate, depending on the programme pursued.

Basic / Diploma Programmes:

These programmes are run for those who are applying with their SSSCE or WASSCE results. The programmes require no previous working experience in any health related field. However, previous experience in health facilities may give the applicant an urge during the interview and selection process. Basic programmes are run for periods ranging from 2 to 3 years, and successful completion leads to the award of a Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma depending on the programme pursued.

Post Basic / Advanced Diploma Programmes:

These are programmes which build upon Basic programmes by adding further knowledge and skills and/or encouraging focus on a particular area of study. Some Post Basic Programmes lead to specialization in certain fields of Health such as Public Health, Ophthalmic, Anesthesia, etc, whilst the others give general knowledge in patient management and care, e.g. Medical Assistant Applicants to Post Basic programmes require one year mandatory rotation/internship/national service and at least two years of experience in a relevant Basic area.

The programmes range from 1 to 2 years and successful completion leads to the award of a Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma depending on the programme pursued.Applicants to Post Basic programmes should be nominated by their employing Agency and will be required to return to their Agency on successful completion for placement.