Part Time Nursing and Renewal Of License: A Case Study of LAUTECH Nursing
A case of intra professional discrimination
It got to my notice that Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) is not more accepting letters of authorization from students undergoing part time nursing training, given them by their schools to renew licence in place of the MCPDP certificate. This is contrary to what used to be the norm. At least few people have benefitted from the previous practice where letters were accepted to replace MCPDP certificate for those undergoing BNSc part time training.
But has anyone ever cared to ask why? I think it’s very essential we inquire the reasons behind that change in policy. To me, it’s nothing but intra-professional discrimination!
Yes I call it discrimination until a justifiable reason is given for revoking and withdrawing such opportunity, not considering the large number of nurses undergoing this training.
I am not unaware of the roles of NMCN.Below are questions I and many others in my shoes, need answers to, before I can reason along with NMCN.
1. Is MCPDP, which is a 5-day program in a year, much richer than the at least 3months of vigorous study embarked upon by the part time nurse?
2. Have they observed some things that made them withdraw such benefit for part time students?
3. I hope it’s not another case of “auto destruction ” that has been the case with nursing where some people think nobody should benefit what they have not?
4. Is nursing council thinking of the financial deficit that would ensue from such policy?
5. May be some people are asking “what are they doing in part time to deserve such opportunity or benefit?”.
If any of these points happens to be the reason for change in policy in this regard, then it’s appallingly!!! And I make bold to say we still have a long way to go in Nursing profession.
What that would mean is that, NMCN has reckoned with a program that offers ‘nothing’ to the nurses. By implication, it’s an insult to the council. It’s my firm belief that this is not the reason.
MCPDP is five days training and is once in a year. Part time nursing is not less than at least three months in year. If 5days training certificate is enough to qualify me for license renewal, how come three months of training is considered insufficient?
If there’s nothing to MCPDP more than updating one’s knowledge, it’s my humble opinion that three months lectures/training and practicals embarked upon by the part time nurses is more than enough to qualify them for licence renewal without necessarily attending MCPDP. Hence, letters from accredited training institutions should be used as it was the practice before now.
By Yahaya Umar RN, RAEN, BNSc in view (aka Abu soffiyah)
