Do Nursing Schools Accept Direct Entry? Choosing to study Nursing in Nigeria is one of the most rewarding academic decisions you can make. However, it also comes with a lot of questions — and one of the most common among aspiring nurses is: “Do nursing schools accept Direct Entry?”
Let’s unpack this carefully, explain why most schools don’t, and show the right alternatives if you want to build a nursing career.
Understanding What Direct Entry Means
Direct Entry (DE) is a mode of admission into Nigerian universities that allows candidates with advanced qualifications — such as a National Diploma (ND), NCE, or a Nursing certificate (like Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Midwife (RM)) — to gain direct admission into 200 level, bypassing the first year of university.
This route is managed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and is widely used by students switching fields or advancing their studies.
However, when it comes to Nursing, things work a bit differently.
Do Nursing Schools Accept Direct Entry?
The short answer is: Most Nursing schools in Nigeria do not accept Direct Entry.
Here’s why:
- Nursing Schools Are Colleges, Not Universities There’s an important distinction between Schools of Nursing and Universities offering BSc Nursing:
- Schools/Colleges of Nursing (like OAUTHC, LUTH, or School of Nursing, Lagos) are professional training institutions directly regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
- They award certificates such as Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Midwife (RM) — not university degrees.
- Direct Entry Applies to Universities Only universities (like University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNILORIN, OAU, etc.) can admit students through Direct Entry.
Therefore, if your goal is to enter a School of Nursing, you cannot use DE.
But if you’re applying for BSc Nursing in a university, you may be eligible for Direct Entry — provided you meet certain qualifications (for instance, having an RN, RM, or a relevant ND in Health Sciences). - Regulatory Restrictions The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria maintains strict academic and clinical training standards. These requirements ensure that students complete foundational coursework and practical experience before progressing.
Skipping those stages (as DE admission might allow) could violate those guidelines, especially in non-degree schools. - Curriculum Structure Nursing programmes are highly sequential — you build on earlier courses year by year (e.g., Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Clinical Nursing).
Allowing students to “jump” into 200 level without taking the foundational courses at that same institution could disrupt training consistency. For this reason, most nursing schools start everyone from Year 1, regardless of prior qualifications.
Why Nursing Schools Don’t Accept Direct Entry
Let’s summarize the main reasons:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Not under university system | Schools of Nursing are under hospitals or health ministries, not JAMB or NUC. |
| Professional standards | NMCN requires complete clinical and academic progression from Year 1. |
| Curriculum structure | Courses build on each other; skipping levels isn’t feasible. |
| Different qualification types | Nursing schools award RN/RM certificates, not BSc degrees. |
What Are the Alternatives?
If you’re passionate about becoming a nurse but can’t use Direct Entry, there are still three strong alternatives:
1. Apply Through JAMB (UTME Route)
For university-based Nursing programmes, the JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is the most direct route.
- You’ll write Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English in JAMB.
- Aim for a high score — 250 and above is considered competitive for top universities like UI, UNILORIN, and OAU.
- After that, you’ll sit for the Post-UTME, where both scores are combined to determine admission.
Why this works:
This path gives you a BSc Nursing degree, which opens up opportunities for specialization, research, and international nursing registration later.
2. Enroll in a School or College of Nursing (Without JAMB)
If you prefer a shorter, more practical route, you can apply directly to a School of Nursing.
- Admission is based on your WAEC/NECO results — usually requiring at least five credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
- You’ll then take an entrance exam conducted by the school itself (not JAMB).
- After about 3 years, you graduate as a Registered Nurse (RN).
You can later upgrade to a university BSc programme through Direct Entry, once you have your RN/RM certificate.
3. Upgrade Path: RN to BSc Nursing
Once you complete RN or RM training, you can apply for Direct Entry into 200 level at a university offering BSc Nursing.
Eligible applicants include:
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Registered Midwives (RM)
- Candidates with ND in Health Sciences or related fields
This way, you combine both paths: professional experience and a degree qualification.
Why Good WAEC or NECO Results Still Matter
Regardless of which path you choose, your O’Level results are the foundation.
Nursing is a science-heavy programme, and strong grades in:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- English
- Mathematics
are non-negotiable.
Even for Direct Entry candidates, universities still check your WAEC/NECO performance before finalizing admission.
Conclusion
So, do Nursing schools accept Direct Entry?
No — Schools of Nursing do not. But universities offering BSc Nursing do.
If you dream of becoming a nurse, you have two clear routes:
- Start fresh through JAMB (UTME) and study Nursing at a university.
- Go through a School of Nursing, earn your RN/RM, and then apply to a university via Direct Entry to continue from 200 level.
Whichever you choose, focus on getting excellent WAEC/NECO results and preparing well for your entrance exams.
