Higher Diploma in Critical Care Nursing
The Higher Diploma in Critical Care Nursing is a specialised postgraduate training programme for registered nurses seeking advanced qualifications in critical care nursing. The programme equips nurses with advanced skills in managing critically ill patients in intensive care units, high dependency units, and emergency settings. Students develop competencies in advanced patient assessment, ventilator management, haemodynamic monitoring, and critical care pharmacology.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 147,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 147,500 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Diploma in relevant field (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1 year, full-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers advanced critical care concepts including respiratory support, cardiovascular monitoring, neurological assessment, sepsis management, and ethical decision-making in critical care. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and extensive clinical practice in critical care settings. The programme is designed for registered nurses seeking specialised critical care qualifications.
Critical care nursing is a high-demand specialisation in Kenya's healthcare system. Intensive care units in hospitals require trained critical care nurses to manage critically ill patients. The programme contributes to building capacity for critical care services in both military and civilian healthcare facilities. Kenya faces a shortage of specialised critical care nurses, particularly in intensive care and high dependency units.
The programme combines classroom instruction with extensive clinical practice in intensive care units. Students study critical care concepts, practice advanced nursing skills under supervision, and manage critically ill patients. Teaching methods include lectures, clinical simulations, supervised clinical practice, and case-based learning. The programme emphasises practical competence in critical care nursing and patient safety.
Graduates work as critical care nurses in intensive care units, high dependency units, emergency departments, and trauma centres. The higher diploma qualification enables nurses to provide specialised critical care and take leadership roles in critical care settings. The programme supports careers in critical care nursing, emergency nursing, and critical care education.
This programme is ideal for registered nurses with a diploma in nursing and at least one year of post-graduation experience seeking specialised critical care qualifications. The programme provides advanced clinical skills for critical care nursing practice.
What you study
8 subjects- Critical Care Nursing
- Advanced Patient Assessment
- Ventilator Management
- Haemodynamic Monitoring
- Critical Care Pharmacology
- Respiratory Support
- Sepsis Management
- Ethical Decision-making in Critical Care
Modules
5 in the programmeFoundations of Critical Care Nursing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and foundations of critical care nursing practice, including patient assessment and ICU environment.
Respiratory Support and Ventilator Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced respiratory support techniques, mechanical ventilation, and airway management in critical care.
Haemodynamic Monitoring and Cardiovascular Support
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Haemodynamic monitoring techniques, cardiovascular support, and management of cardiac emergencies in critical care.
Critical Care Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced pharmacological management in critical care, including vasoactive drugs, sedatives, and emergency medications.
Clinical Practice in Critical Care
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Supervised clinical practice in intensive care units, developing practical competence in critical care nursing.
Specialisations
Intensive Care Nursing
Focus on managing critically ill patients in intensive care units with complex life support needs.
Emergency and Trauma Nursing
Focus on critical care nursing in emergency and trauma settings, managing acute life-threatening conditions.
Cardiac Critical Care
Focus on critical care nursing for cardiac patients, including post-cardiac surgery and cardiac intensive care.
A day as a student
A typical day combines classroom instruction with clinical practice in intensive care units. Students attend lectures on critical care concepts, observe and manage critically ill patients under supervision, operate ventilators and monitoring equipment, and participate in clinical rounds. Clinical rotations provide hands-on experience in various critical care settings. The programme emphasises practical competence, patient safety, and rapid decision-making in critical care situations.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Critical care nursing is a high-demand specialisation with significant workforce shortages in Kenya. | Requires prior nursing qualification and at least one year of post-graduation experience. |
| Short programme duration of 1 year enables rapid specialisation for practising nurses. | Working in critical care is emotionally and physically demanding, dealing with life-threatening situations. |
| Higher diploma qualification leads to increased earning potential and career advancement opportunities. | Limited training institutions offering the programme, particularly outside major cities. |
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 coursesAnnual 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 132-148K/yr (kmtc.ac.ke, kenyaeducationguide.com). Private: unverified.
HELB loans may be available for eligible Kenyan students. KDF personnel receive funding through the Ministry of Defence.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in higher diploma programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Diploma in Nursing (KRN/KRCHN) or equivalent from a recognised institution. Registration with the Nursing Council of Kenya with a valid practising licence. At least one year of post-graduation nursing experience.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Amref International University, Outspan Global University, National Defence University - Kenya.
Including Amref International University.
Including Amref International University, Outspan Global University, National Defence University - Kenya.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCoursework and Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments and written examinations evaluating theoretical knowledge in critical care nursing.
Clinical Practice Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Supervised clinical practice assessments evaluating practical competence in critical care settings.
Final Clinical Examination
Practical20% of the mark
A comprehensive clinical examination assessing critical care nursing competence across various scenarios.
Accreditation
Nursing Council of Kenya
ProfessionalRequired
Accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK). University-based programmes also accredited by CUE.
Accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) and the Commission for University Education (CUE) where offered at universities.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
3 rolesCritical Care Nurse
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides specialised nursing care to critically ill patients in intensive care units and high dependency units.
Emergency Nurse
High demand
Provides emergency nursing care in emergency departments and trauma centres, applying critical care skills.
ICU Charge Nurse
Moderate demand
Leads nursing teams in intensive care units, coordinating patient care and managing critical care operations.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as critical care nurses in intensive care units, high dependency units, emergency departments, and trauma centres in hospitals across Kenya.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Critical care nursing is just regular nursing in an ICU.
Critical care nursing requires specialised training in advanced life support, ventilator management, haemodynamic monitoring, and complex pharmacological interventions.
A higher diploma is not as valuable as a degree.
The higher diploma in critical care nursing is a recognised specialisation qualification that enables nurses to practice in critical care settings and earn higher salaries.
Critical care nurses only work in ICUs.
Critical care nurses work in ICUs, high dependency units, emergency departments, trauma centres, and recovery rooms.
There is no demand for critical care nurses in Kenya.
Kenya faces a significant shortage of critical care nurses, with growing demand from expanding ICU facilities across the country.