INTERNATIONAL NURSES' WEEK: EXPENSIVE NURSING EDUCATION, ONE OF THE REASONS BEHIND THRIVING QUACKERY. By Olabanji Joel

It's international Nurses' week, a time to appreciate Nurses all over the world for their contribution into giving the best care and sustaining the health care system. This should start with Parents of Nurses especially in Nigeria who have been able to pay the exorbitant fees attributed to nursing education and for ensuring their wards become professional nurses. 



It's saddening that quackery in Nursing is a thriving business in Nigeria as there are so many quacks and curbing them seems to be impossible. I was surprised to see quacks ignorantly celebrating Nurses' week, as if they were professionals. Are they not aware they are nothing but mere instrument in the hands of their trainer? How far can they go and how much can they earn as quacks? I think it is best I re-emphasize that youths into quackery are just wasting their precious time because it would be too late for them to realise that they are being taken advantage of by their trainers.

WHY IS QUACKERY IN NURSING A THRIVING BUSINESS?

As a Nurse, I detest seeing people who are not professionally trained being addressed as Nurses because these are those who end up tarnishing the image of the profession. They are easily seen in their uniform at the market, they kneel down to greet other health care professionals, as well as do all sort of things with the profession's image. They also cause damage and harm to their patients but is it totally their fault?


Well, while ignorance push many to being quacks, high cost of nursing education is also a relatable major factor fueling quackery in the country. It is almost impossible for a person struggling financially to afford a Nursing education. Federal nursing schools in south west, south east and south south are expensive (I don't know much about the North), the state nursing schools are the same not to talk of private nursing schools. Let me affirmatively say that nursing schools are no longer for the masses who have no access to help. It will shock the public to know that student nurses in Nursing schools pay more than medical students. When you see a child in Nursing school, praise the parents of such an individual.

Many of those who want to become nurses are being pushed to go for cheaper training due to their inability to afford the nursing education in the university or nursing school. As long as nursing schools especially remains expensive as we can see all around us today, we should expect more quacks who will be produced out of frustration and poverty. 


For nursing schools, the blame for the exorbitant prices this time shouldn't be put on the federal government or state government, the hospital management of the nursing institutions and the school management are responsible for the high cost of nursing education fees, I am sure they will have a reason why it is so.

WHILE WE WORK ON ERADICATING QUACKERY IN NURSING, WE SHOULD ALSO WORK ON MAKING FORMAL NURSING INSTITUTIONS AFFORDABLE FOR A COMMON MAN!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL NURSES' WEEK

Olabanji Joel

A Nurse, Writer and Socialist.

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