How To Become An Auxiliary Nurse In Nigeria

Auxiliary nurses are very common in Nigeria. They work in hospital and community services. They wear uniforms with certain colours depending on the organisation they work for. They are also called nursing assistants or health assistants. A second group is called an auxiliary nurse midwife.

Job Description Of Auxiliary Nurses

Auxiliary nurses are quite different from registered nurses. Auxiliary nurses work under the close supervision of registered nurses. They assist registered nurses in administering care to patients. Some of their duties include taking vital signs, making sure patients are comfortable, changing patient bed, helping patients clean and use facilities, sterilising patients room, etc.

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Auxiliary nurse midwife is also keen on how to deliver babies. They are trained in how to determine the right time and when they need to call for the service of a registered nurse or medical doctor.

Auxiliary nurse

Education Requirements

In the United Kingdom (UK), a certified auxiliary nurse must pass through a certified nursing programme. The entry requirements are high school grad. These programmes take a few weeks in community colleges or vocational-technical schools. Lastly, it is mandatory to pass the CNA competency examination to get certification.

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The scenario in Nigeria is quite different. To become a qualified auxiliary nurse in Nigeria, all that is required is to train under the watch of a registered nurse or medical doctor in a hospital or clinic. Depending on the registered nurse or medical doctor, the academic requirements is O'level result or competency in a particular language. Some organisations specify the number of credits and the subject combination.

The duration of training depends on the hospital or in some cases how fast the person learns. But on average, it spans between a year to two years.

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But before we talk about the average salary, know that some groups are calling for the removal of auxiliary nurses. A state government once issued a notice to all auxiliary nurses in his state to stop and no organisation should employ any. Also, registered nurses are fighting tooth and nail to remove them by all means. I understand their stand. Most establishments employ these auxiliary nurses to work alone without the supervision of a registered nurse.

Salary Of Auxiliary Nurse

But the salary of an auxiliary nurse in Nigeria is very small. Some receive salaries ranging from ₦20000 to ₦70000. They get higher payment when they work at a hospital.