Study Nursing by Country

Regulatory body

General Nursing Council of Zambia (GNCZ)

Education path

Diploma in Nursing (3 years) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (4 years) at approved institutions such as UNZA or Lusaka Apex Medical University. Registration with GNCZ is required to practice.

Exam & licensing

Licensing examination administered by GNCZ after completion of an approved nursing programme. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is required for license renewal.

Common challenges

• Shortage of clinical placement sites in rural provinces
• Brain drain to neighbouring countries and overseas
• Limited access to advanced specialty training

Regulatory body

Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK)

Education path

Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor's in Nursing & Midwifery from NCK-accredited institutions. Upgrading from Enrolled to Registered Nursing is common.

Exam & licensing

NCK licensing exam for both enrolled and registered nurses. Foreign-trained nurses must sit an NCK qualifying exam. Annual practicing licence renewal mandatory.

Common challenges

• High nurse-to-patient ratio in public hospitals
• Competition for places in government training colleges
• Rural–urban distribution imbalance

Regulatory body

Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council (UNMC)

Education path

Enrolled Comprehensive Nurse (2–3 years), Registered Nurse/Midwife (3–4 years), or BSc Nursing at Makerere University and other accredited schools.

Exam & licensing

Licensing examination set by UNMC after training. Foreign graduates must apply for verification and may be required to sit a local assessment.

Common challenges

• Inadequate simulation labs in training schools
• Funding constraints for students in rural areas
• Retention of tutors in upcountry institutions

Regulatory body

Tanzania Nursing and Midwifery Council (TNMC)

Education path

Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor in Nursing from TNMC-registered colleges. Specialisation pathways exist for critical care, perioperative, and midwifery.

Exam & licensing

TNMC qualifying exam for new graduates. A separate council exam may apply for specialist certificates. Annual practicing certificate required.

Common challenges

• Geographic barriers to clinical placement in remote regions
• Language transition from Swahili-medium primary to English-medium nursing programmes
• Equipment shortages in teaching hospitals

Regulatory body

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)

Education path

Registered Nurse (RN) via 3-year basic nursing programme, Registered Midwife (RM), or BSc Nursing (5 years) at universities accredited by NMCN. Post-basic specialisations available.

Exam & licensing

NMCN professional qualifying examinations for RN and RM. Nurses trained abroad must pass the NMCN adaptation programme and licensing exam.

Common challenges

• Large population creates extreme demand–supply gap
• Inconsistent quality across private and public nursing schools
• Security concerns affecting clinical placements in certain regions

Regulatory body

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (N&MC)

Education path

Registered General Nurse (RGN) through 3-year diploma at accredited nursing schools, or BSc Nursing at public universities. Upgrading routes from auxiliary to registered are well established.

Exam & licensing

Licensing exam conducted by N&MC. Both pre-registration and post-registration (specialist) exams are held. CPD points needed for renewal.

Common challenges

• Growing preference for university degrees over diplomas
• Maldistribution of nurses: urban concentration vs rural shortages
• Maintaining exam integrity amid rising candidate numbers

Regulatory body

South African Nursing Council (SANC)

Education path

Bachelor of Nursing (4 years) at universities, Diploma in Nursing (3–4 years) at colleges, or Enrolled Nurse (2 years). Registrations are category-specific.

Exam & licensing

SANC external examinations for each nursing category. Foreign-qualified nurses must apply for qualification evaluation and may write the SANC board exam.

Common challenges

• Public sector vacancies vs budget constraints
• Complex registration categories causing confusion
• Rural areas struggle to attract and retain nurses

Regulatory body

Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi (NMCM)

Education path

Registered Nurse (3 years) at Kamuzu College of Nursing orMzuzu University, plus Registered Midwife. BSc Nursing (4 years) available for degree-level entry.

Exam & licensing

NMCM licensing exam after completion of an accredited programme. Practicing licence renewed annually with evidence of CPD.

Common challenges

• One of the lowest nurse-to-population ratios globally
• Heavy reliance on donor funding for nursing education
• Rural health facilities face severe staffing gaps

Regulatory body

Botswana Nursing Council (BNC)

Education path

Diploma in General Nursing (3 years) or BSc Nursing (4 years) at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) or University of Botswana.

Exam & licensing

BNC licensure examination for new graduates. Annual practicing certificate required. Foreign-trained applicants undergo credential review and an adaptation programme if needed.

Common challenges

• Small population limits training-institution scale
• Need for specialised nursing programmes (ICU, OR, nephrology)
• Competition from better-resourced South African employers