Health Sciences

Diploma in Nursing

The Diploma in Nursing is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in nursing care, community health, midwifery and patient management. Offered at Kenyatta University, Egerton University, Kisii University, Kabarak University and Mount Kenya University, the programme prepares students for registration as Kenya Registered Community Health Nurses with the Nursing Council of Kenya.

The curriculum covers nursing foundations, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, community health nursing, medical-surgical nursing, midwifery, paediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, pharmacology, nutrition, primary healthcare, nursing ethics, research methods and clinical practicum. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and clinical nursing skills.

Kenya faces a significant shortage of nurses, with demand for qualified nursing personnel in hospitals, health centres, clinics and community health programmes across the country. The programme responds to the need for trained nurses who can provide quality patient care, support public health initiatives and contribute to the healthcare system.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory practicals, clinical rotations in hospitals and health centres, community health fieldwork, simulation exercises, research projects and clinical practicum. Students gain hands-on experience in patient care through supervised clinical rotations in medical-surgical wards, maternity, paediatrics, psychiatry and community health settings.

Graduates pursue careers as registered nurses in hospitals, health centres, clinics, NGOs and community health programmes. They are registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya and can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at their respective universities or specialised post-basic diplomas.

Prospective students should have interest in healthcare, patient care and community health. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers as professional nurses in Kenya's healthcare system.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 123,700
Private, up to: Ksh 163,800
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 12 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Nursing Foundations, Anatomy and Physiology
Medical-Surgical Nursing and Pharmacology
Community Health Nursing and Primary Healthcare
Midwifery and Paediatric Nursing
Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health
Microbiology, Nutrition and Nursing Ethics
Research Methods and Nursing Informatics
Clinical Practicum and Nursing Practice Project

Modules

8 in the programme

Nursing Foundations, Anatomy and Physiology
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers nursing foundations, nursing history, anatomy and physiology, cell biology, body systems, patient assessment and basic nursing care procedures.
Microbiology, Nutrition and Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers medical microbiology, infection control, nutrition in health and disease, pharmacology fundamentals, drug administration and medication safety.
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Covers medical-surgical nursing, patient care management, wound care, pre and post-operative care, emergency nursing and chronic disease management.
Community Health Nursing and Primary Healthcare
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers community health nursing, primary healthcare, health promotion, disease prevention, epidemiology, family health and community health assessment.
Midwifery and Paediatric Nursing
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers midwifery, antenatal care, labour and delivery, postnatal care, neonatal care, paediatric nursing, child health and immunisation.
Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers psychiatric nursing, mental health disorders, therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, substance abuse and mental health rehabilitation.
Nursing Ethics, Research Methods and Informatics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers nursing ethics, professional conduct, legal aspects of nursing, research methods, nursing informatics and evidence-based practice.
Clinical Practicum and Nursing Practice Project
Year 3Semester 112 creditsCore
Extended clinical rotations in medical-surgical, maternity, paediatric, psychiatric and community health settings, plus a nursing practice project assessed through a report and case presentation.

Specialisations

Medical-Surgical Nursing
Focuses on adult patient care in hospital settings for careers as staff nurses in medical and surgical wards.
Community Health Nursing
Specialises in community-based healthcare for careers as community health nurses in primary healthcare settings.
Midwifery
Focuses on maternal and newborn care for careers as midwifery nurses in maternity settings.
Psychiatric Nursing
Specialises in mental health nursing for careers in psychiatric facilities and mental health programmes.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on medical-surgical nursing or pharmacology, followed by a laboratory practical on nursing procedures. Afternoon sessions involve clinical rotations in hospital wards, community health fieldwork, or simulation exercises. Students also practise nursing skills, prepare care plans and work on nursing research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Nursing is one of the most in-demand professions in Kenya with high employment opportunities.
Graduates are registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya and can practise professionally.
Diploma graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through bridging programmes.

Against it

Nursing involves demanding work hours including night shifts, weekends and public holidays.
The programme requires strong science subjects and dedication to clinical training.

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

Private105k to 164k

105k at Outspan Medical College164k at Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences

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 self-spons 123.7K Y1/118K Y2+ (tvet.co.ke). Outspan 105K, Imperial 163.8K/yr

Students can access HELB loans. The government may offer sponsorships for nursing students through KUCCPS. Some universities offer internal bursaries for nursing students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: Certificate in nursing from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification recognised by the Nursing Council of Kenya.

English or Kiswahili
C
Biology
C
Chemistry or Physics or Mathematics
C-

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering nursing foundations, anatomy, pharmacology and medical-surgical nursing.
Clinical Practical Assessment
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of clinical nursing skills through practical examinations, OSCEs and clinical rotation evaluations.
Nursing Practice Project
Project30% of the mark
A nursing practice project on a clinical or community health topic, assessed through a written report and case presentation.
NCK Licensing Examination
Written examination100% of the mark
Final licensing examination administered by the Nursing Council of Kenya for registration as a Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates are registered as Kenya Registered Community Health Nurses (KRCHN).

Accredited by

Nursing Council of Kenya
ProfessionalRequired
Accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates are registered as Kenya Registered Community Health Nurses (KRCHN).
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) as a university-level diploma programme.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Registered Nurse
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides direct patient care in hospitals, health centres and clinics, administers medications, monitors patients and supports recovery.
Community Health Nurse
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000
Delivers community-based healthcare, conducts health education, supports immunisation programmes and manages primary healthcare initiatives.
Midwifery Nurse
High demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 220,000
Provides antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care, supports safe deliveries and manages maternal and newborn health in maternity settings.
Clinical Nurse
Moderate demandKsh 43,000 to Ksh 230,000
Works in specialised clinical areas such as paediatrics, psychiatry or emergency care, providing specialised nursing care and patient support.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as registered nurses in hospitals, health centres, clinics and community health programmes, registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A diploma in nursing is inferior to a degree in nursing.
Both pathways lead to registered nurse status with the Nursing Council of Kenya. Diploma graduates can upgrade to a degree through bridging programmes.
Nursing is only for women.
Nursing is a profession for all genders. Increasing numbers of men are pursuing nursing careers in Kenya.
Nurses only work in hospitals.
Nurses work in hospitals, health centres, clinics, schools, NGOs, occupational health, community health programmes and research institutions.
There are no nursing jobs in Kenya.
Kenya faces a significant shortage of nurses, with demand in public and private healthcare facilities, community health programmes and international markets.