NUST introduces nurse aide course

In what is seen as a response to the demand for first aide certificates, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo has introduced a three-month nurse aide course.

There has been a high demand for the qualification that many are using to seek opportunities overseas, especially in the United Kingdom.

The nurse aid course will be managed by NUST’s Department of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences and the Centre of Continuing Education.

After graduating, students will be equipped with competencies to adequately take care of patients and groom them back into well-being.

“At the end of 12 weeks, participants will be well equipped with knowledge skills and competencies to feed, bath and groom patients thereby contributing enormously to their sense of normalcy and wellbeing,” said NUST in a statement.

After the course, students will be provided with more health-oriented duties such as measuring and recording vital signs and first and care, said the university.

The course will also, “provide administration roles of record keeping that accompany patient care and contribute to the success of the health team locally and internationally,” NUST said.

NUST stated that the programme fee will cost US$200 while entry requirements for potential students is a minimum of three Ordinary Level subjects.

“The first four weeks or month will be theory, while clinical placements will run for the remaining eight weeks or two months,” said the university.

The course modules will consist of Basic Concepts in Health Care, First Aid, Home Nursing, Maternal and Child Health and Clinical Placements.

“Clinal placements will be at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) and Mpilo Central Hospital,” NUST indicated.

Lessons will take place from Monday and Friday, between 8.30 am to 16.30 at NUST’s Centre for Continuing Education Town Campus located at 55 Jason Moyo and 4th Avenue.

As for the uniform, NUST said female students will wear princess-style white uniforms with black low-heeled shoes, brown stockings, navy blue sleeveless or a long-sleeved jersey with buttons and a nurse’s watch with a second hand.

Male students will wear white safari slacks with long trousers, black shoes, white men’s socks, navy blue sleeveless or a long-sleeved jersey with buttons and a nurse’s watch with a second hand.