Health Sciences

Diploma in General Nursing (EN-RN Conversion)

The Diploma in General Nursing (EN-RN Conversion) is a programme designed specifically for enrolled nurses who wish to upgrade their qualification and become registered nurses. Offered at Aga Khan University's School of Nursing and Midwifery in Nairobi, the programme enables enrolled nurses to obtain a higher education diploma and full nursing licence.

The curriculum covers advanced nursing practice, community health nursing, medical-surgical nursing, midwifery, mental health nursing, nursing leadership and management, research methods, pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment, evidence-based practice, nursing ethics and law, and clinical practicum. Students develop both clinical and leadership skills for professional nursing practice.

The programme responds to the need for upgrading enrolled nurses to registered nurse status, addressing Kenya's shortage of registered nurses and supporting career progression for practising enrolled nurses. It enables nurses to provide evidence-based, quality care across promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services.

The programme is delivered through a work-study mode over 24 months, combining classroom lectures, clinical practicum at affiliated hospitals, online learning, seminars and case-based discussions. Students maintain employment while studying, applying learning directly in their workplace.

Graduates become registered nurses licensed by the Nursing Council of Kenya, qualified to work in hospitals, clinics, community health settings and healthcare organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Post-RN BScN) for further career advancement.

Prospective students must be enrolled nurses with a valid enrolment certificate from the Nursing Council of Kenya. The programme is suitable for practising enrolled nurses seeking career advancement and professional registration.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 123,700
Private, up to: Ksh 400,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Work-study
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing
Community Health Nursing and Midwifery
Mental Health Nursing and Pharmacology
Nursing Leadership, Management and Ethics
Pathophysiology and Health Assessment
Evidence-Based Practice and Research Methods
Nursing Law and Professional Practice
Clinical Practicum and Work-Based Learning

Modules

8 in the programme

Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing and Pathophysiology
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers advanced medical-surgical nursing practice, pathophysiology of major diseases, nursing interventions and evidence-based care for medical-surgical patients.
Pharmacology and Health Assessment
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers pharmacology, drug administration, medication safety, comprehensive health assessment, physical examination skills and clinical decision-making.
Community Health Nursing and Midwifery
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Covers community health nursing, public health, maternal and child health, midwifery practice, antenatal care, labour and delivery, and postnatal care.
Mental Health Nursing and Nursing Ethics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers mental health nursing, psychiatric care, counselling skills, nursing ethics, professional conduct, nursing law and patient rights.
Nursing Leadership, Management and Research
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers nursing leadership, healthcare management, quality improvement, nursing research methods, evidence-based practice and healthcare policy.
Clinical Practicum and Work-Based Learning
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
Supervised clinical practicum at affiliated hospitals and community health settings, applying advanced nursing skills in real healthcare environments.
Professional Practice and NCK Examination Preparation
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Covers professional nursing practice, NCK licensing examination preparation, regulatory frameworks and transition to registered nurse practice.
Advanced Clinical Practicum and Capstone
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Advanced clinical practicum demonstrating competency in registered nurse practice, plus a capstone project applying evidence-based practice in a clinical setting.

Specialisations

Medical-Surgical Nursing
Focuses on advanced medical-surgical care for careers as registered nurses in hospital wards.
Community Health Nursing
Specialises in community-based nursing and public health for careers as community health nurses.
Nursing Management
Focuses on nursing leadership and management for careers as nursing supervisors and officers.
Midwifery
Specialises in maternal and child health for careers in maternity and maternal health services.

A day as a student

A typical day combines classroom lectures on advanced nursing topics with clinical practicum at affiliated hospitals. Morning sessions may cover pathophysiology or pharmacology, followed by afternoon clinical rotations where students apply evidence-based nursing care under supervision. The work-study format allows students to continue practising as enrolled nurses while upgrading their qualifications.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme enables enrolled nurses to upgrade to registered nurse status, significantly improving career prospects and earning potential.
The work-study format allows nurses to continue working while studying, reducing financial burden.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Post-RN BScN) for further advancement.

Against it

The programme is only open to enrolled nurses, not direct entry from secondary school.
The programme is currently not accepting applications, and the next intake is uncertain.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public118k to 124k

118k at Kenya Medical Training College (Year 2+)124k at Kenya Medical Training College (Year 1)

Private400k to 400k

400k at Aga Khan University400k at Aga Khan University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KMTC 118K-123,700/yr self-sponsored (tvet.co.ke). AKU 400,000/yr (aku.edu).

AKU offers needs-based financial assistance. Students can also access HELB loans. The Aga Khan Development Network may provide scholarships for nursing students.

Funding options

HELB Loan
Aga Khan Development Network Scholarships

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
AKU Financial Assistance
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Students admitted to AKU programmes demonstrating financial need

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: Must be a practising enrolled nurse with a valid enrolment certificate from the Nursing Council of Kenya. KCE/EACE Division III may also be accepted.

English
C
Biology
C
Chemistry
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, community health and mental health nursing.
Clinical Practicum Assessment
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of clinical skills competency during hospital and community practicum rotations.
NCK Licensing Examination
Written examination100% of the mark
Nursing Council of Kenya licensing examination for registration as a registered nurse.
Capstone Project
Project40% of the mark
An evidence-based practice project applied in a clinical setting, assessed through a written report and presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK). The programme is offered at Aga Khan University, Nairobi.

Accredited by

Nursing Council of Kenya
ProfessionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK). The programme leads to NCK registration as a registered nurse.
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Registered Nurse
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides comprehensive nursing care in hospitals, clinics and community settings, including patient assessment, medication administration, care planning and health education.
Nursing Officer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages patient care units, supervises enrolled nurses and healthcare assistants, and coordinates nursing services in healthcare facilities.
Community Health Nurse
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides community-based nursing care, health education, immunisation programmes and maternal-child health services in community health settings.
Nursing Supervisor
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 280,000
Supervises nursing teams, manages shift schedules, ensures quality of care and supports staff development in healthcare facilities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates become registered nurses licensed by the Nursing Council of Kenya, working in hospitals, clinics and community health settings.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This is a standard nursing diploma for school leavers.
This is a conversion programme specifically for practising enrolled nurses who want to upgrade to registered nurse status. It is not for direct entry from secondary school.
EN-RN conversion is the same as a regular nursing diploma.
The EN-RN conversion programme builds on existing nursing knowledge and experience, focusing on advanced practice, leadership and evidence-based care rather than starting from basic nursing principles.
You have to stop working to study.
The programme is designed as a work-study format over 24 months, allowing enrolled nurses to continue working while studying.
Upgrading from enrolled to registered nurse doesn't matter.
Registered nurse status enables higher responsibility roles, supervisory positions, better pay and progression to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.