Should I Go for Midwifery Instead of Nursing?

Some institutions only offer Nursing. This set of schools is now called, mostly, colleges of Nursing. They eventually award ND/HND in Nursing.

Some institutions that groom nurses still retain "schools of Nursing". These usually offer "basic nursing/basic midwifery". These graduates are still being offered, till the time of this post, "registered nurse" and/or "registered midwives". 

Don't be surprised too if you have colleges of nursing that still retain basic nursing/midwifery or schools of nursing that run ND/HND. What matters is not the name or title but the certification at the end of the program. In fact, some recently upgraded colleges run both ND/HND in Nursing with their basic nursing/midwifery.

With this division, prospective admission seekers are thrown into unfriendly confusion. They want to know if it's better to go for "basic nursing" to become registered nurses or go for "basic midwifery" to become registered midwives.

If you've read "Difference Btw Registered Nursing (RN) and Midwifery (RM)", you might not be as confused. But when a school you apply to wishes to drop you to basic midwifery instead of basic nursing or you realize you stand a better chance with basic midwifery, you may want to know if this is as good or a better choice for you.

In this post, I will be showing you what is waiting for you if you consider basic midwifery instead of basic nursing or ND/HND in Nursing. What's possible and what is at stake?

Basic Midwifery (Registered Midwives) is not Widely Accepted for Direct Entry Admission

If you consider basic midwifery, you will, like your basic nursing counterparts, enjoy your stay and studies in the schools or colleges of nursing. The separation starts when you're done in class.

Especially if wish you further your studies, through direct entry, after your RM, you may have to wait forever for acceptance.

While no doubt that all universities offering Nursing Science prioritize registered nurses (RN) for their Direct entry admission, RM is never officially mentioned as being acceptable.

In case you don't know, you may not be able to use your basic midwifery (RM) for full-time admission into the degree (BSN).

Recommended: Can I Work As a Nurse After ND in Nursing?

You May Be Admitted By Universities that Offer Part-Time Nursing, But...

I've recently guided a few students from the School of Basic Midwifery Muslim Medical Foundation, Saki, Oyo State to secure admission into the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso Distance Learning program.

In case, you don't know, distance learning programs are part-time courses too. With RM, you can try various universities offering Nursing on a part-time or distance-learning basis. For example, UI Distance Learning, ABU Distance Learning, OAU Distance Learning, etc.

But there is a concern even if any of these universities admit you. You may not eventually write the council exam.

Let me explain.

There is a particular central exam by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). It's after passing the exam that nurses are awarded the "Registered Nurse".

In your own case, you might have not written this exam yet or during your basic midwifery course. This is mostly why universities that offer Nursing don't care to accept the RM for DE admission in the first place.

Whereas, if the universities that run part-time nursing admit you, they'll only produce you with the degree in Nursing. This simply means you've missed out on the council exam notwithstanding.

This is why the best candidates for part-time nursing are registered nurses. But if you don't mind, you can go for your degree o part-time if admitted with RM.

Even for Jobs, Registered Nurses are More Recognized than Registered Midwives

You're not only limited in education with registered midwifery (RM), you will be undermined by this qualification when seeking placement. And if you get one, which you'll usually do not as fast as the registered nurses, promotion can still hunt you down in the future.

Experience has shown that registered nurses are more likely to be promoted faster and higher than registered midwives.

More on this had once been covered in my post, "Difference Btw Registered Nursing (RN) and Midwifery (RM)". Read!

Registered Nursing is More Recognized Abroad than Registered Midwifery

I've researched the acceptance of registered nurses and registered midwives outside Nigeria. My findings?

With RN, you're sure to be employed abroad. You're more than certain if you can top-up it up with a degree. You may save yourself the top-up if you do  BSC/HND in Nursing at home. 

However, I don't have any record of a registered midwife (from Nigeria) being officially gainfully employed abroad. The top-up degree may help but I'm not still 100% sure if RM is accepted for the top-up too. 

Conclusion

If you want my professional advice, even if you have to chase basic nursing, a million times, before being offered, it's better off. You can even do better if you pursue ND/HND in Nursing or Degree in Nursing instead

Even though the latter will require JAMB, whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well. Don't just accept any program or course because it's easier. You may not appreciate your decision sooner or later.

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