Apply for Accreditation of Nursing Courses in Kenya

Apply for Accreditation of Nursing Courses in Kenya The Nursing Council of Kenya is the accreditation authority responsible for accrediting programmes of study for the nursing and midwifery professions. To date, the Council has approved 121 nursing/midwifery training institutions to train students at degree, basic and post basic diploma level for various branches of nursing practice.

We have developed the Standards of Nursing Education in Kenya and the Education Policy to provide a frame of reference for the nursing and midwifery education programmes in the country in preparing safe and competent nurse and midwifery practitioners who will function effectively not only as members but also as leaders in health care delivery system.

We perform  accreditation of programmes/courses. Any school, college or institution conducting a nursing/midwifery education programme for the purpose of preparing individuals to be awarded with certificates, diploma or degree in nursing/midwifery is required to seek approval from the Nursing Council of Kenya. Such approval consists of:

• Initial approval: Official recognition granted for a new programme after the Council conducts a visit to the institution to ascertain its readiness to admit students.
• Renewal: Done upon expiration of the initial approval (after 5 years). The Council shall conduct an evaluation visit to ensure that the institution continues to maintain the set standards.

Procedure on how to Apply for Accreditation of Nursing Courses

• The Nursing Council of Kenya is the accreditation authority responsible for accrediting programmes of study for the nursing and midwifery professions.
• They have developed the Standards of Nursing Education in Kenya and the Education Policy to provide a frame of reference for the nursing and midwifery education programmes in the country in preparing safe and competent nurse and midwifery practitioners who will function effectively not only as members but also as leaders in health care delivery system.
• They perform accreditation of programmes/courses.
• Any school, college or institution conducting a nursing/midwifery education programme for the purpose of preparing individuals to be awarded with certificates, diploma or degree in nursing/midwifery is required to seek approval from the Nursing Council of Kenya. Such approval consists of:
• Initial approval: Official recognition granted for a new programme after the Council conducts a visit to the institution to ascertain its readiness to admit students.

Renewal: Done upon expiration of the initial approval (after 5 years). The Council shall conduct an evaluation visit to ensure that the institution continues to maintain the set standards.

Apply In-Person
APPLICATION FOR ACCREDITATION

1. Institutions desiring to conduct training of nurses/midwives are required to apply in writing to the Nursing Council of Kenya and provide documented evidence in line with the guidelines pertaining to:
   • The programme they intend to offer
   • The physical training facility in place
   • The main teaching hospital and any other health facilities affiliated to the training institution which will be used for provision of additional clinical/practical experience if need arises. If these additional training institutions will be used, then there should be a signed memorandum of understanding indicating the terms of agreement.
   • Staffing Profile
   • Any other information that deemed necessary or that may be requested by the Council.
2. They authority will conduct a visit to the institution to ascertains its ability to admit students.
3. Upon successful investigations and payment of the prescribed fees by the institution. the institution will be accredited and its courses approved.
4. The council shall conduct continuous evaluation to ensure the institution continues to maintain the set standards.
5. Renewals are done after every five years.

Required Documents

1. A completed application form
2. Proof of payment of application fee (for new institutions only)
3. Detailed statement of vision, mission, philosophy, aims and objectives for which the institution is established
4. Particulars of incorporation or registration of the institution under any law
5. Form of Governance through which the academic and administrative affairs of the institution shall be conducted
6. Curriculum of instruction
7. Students support services available at the institution
8. List and academic qualifications of all members of staff on or expected to be on full-time employment with the institution
9. List of the total number of students enrolled in each training course offered at the institution, with specification of the number of residential students
10. Size and quality of the library, information communication and technology equipment
11. Financial resources available for exclusive use of the institution including primary sources of funding, existing budget, certified by an accountant qualified to practice as such under the Accountants Act but who is not employee or a sponsor of the applicant
12. Type, number and size of the physical facilities including buildings and land available for the exclusive use of the institution
    

• For new training courses, the following additional requirements must be provided:

1. Statistical data to support the need for the new training course in Kenya
2. List of proposed faculty
3. Clinical resources including a main teaching hospital and health facilities affiliated to the training institution which shall be used for additional clinical or practical experiences
4. A joint master rotation plan in areas where clinical resources are shared among institutions
5. Curriculum prepared in line with prescribed NCK nursing syllabus

Office Locations & Contacts Accreditation of Nursing Courses in Kenya

Nursing Council of Kenya
P.O Box 20056 – 00200, Nairobi
NCK Plaza, Kabarnet Rd off Ngong Rd
Phone: +254 20 7854665/9, +254721920567, +254733924669
Email: info@nckenya.org
Website:NCKenya

Eligibility

• Any nurse training institution offering a training course for the purpose of preparing persons to be awarded with a certificate, diploma or degree in nursing must apply to the Nursing Council of Kenya for accreditation.

Fees

• Fess pertaining to accreditation will be advised by the NCVK Officers.

Validity

• It’s valid for five years.

Documents to Use

• Application forms are provided by the Nursing Council of Kenya

Processing Time

• Accreditation can take a period of between six months and on year to complete. Accreditation of Nursing Courses in Kenya

Instructions

• The Nursing Council of Kenya is the accreditation authority responsible for accrediting education providers and programs of study for the nursing profession.
• They perform two forms of accreditation:

1. Institutional accreditation: Limited to a program of study in professional or occupational fields.
2. Professional/specialized accreditation: Limited to a program of study in professional or occupational fields.

• Any school, college or institution conducting a nursing education program for the purpose of preparing individuals to be awarded with certificates, diploma or degree in nursing is required to seek approval from the Nursing Council of Kenya. Such approval consists of:

1. Initial approval: Official recognition granted for a new program after the Council conducts a visit to the institution to ascertain its readiness to admit students.
2. Renewal: Done upon expiration of the initial approval (after 5 years). The Council shall conduct an evaluation visit to ensure that the institution meets the set standards.

Required Information

1. Name of institution
2. Postal address
3. Physical address
4. County
5. Constituency
6. Telephone
7. Mobile
8. Email address
9. Date of incorporation or registration
10. Name and designation of chief administrator
11. Governing body
12. Number and type of training courses (i.e. certificates, diplomas, degrees)
13. Training courses to be considered for purposes of accreditation
14. Envisaged benefits of accreditation of training course for health sector in Kenya Accreditation of Nursing Courses in Kenya

Need for the Document

• Under the Nurses Act Cap 257 of the Laws of Kenya, the Nursing Council of Kenya accredits education providers and programs of study for the nursing profession. They continually strive to ensure that nurses get quality education by ensuring that institutions training nurses at all levels meet the set standards for accreditation.

Information which might help

• The Nursing Council handles complaints or reports received about illegal institutions and/or illegal programmes operating in Kenya. Under the Nurses Act, 2011 it is a criminal offence for someone to operate such an institution or to offer such a programme.
• If you are aware of any institution that you think may be operating illegally or providing an illegal programme, please send full details to the Council for investigation.

External Links

• Ministry of Health
• National Nurses Association
• Kenya National Union of Nurses
• Kenya Progressive Nurses Association

Others

Mandate of the NCK at a glance

• The Nursing Council of Kenya is a body corporate established by the Nurses Act Cap 257 of the Laws of Kenya to regulate standards of nursing & midwifery education and practice.In Kenya, the nursing and midwifery workforce plays a vital role in health service delivery, providing the bulk of direct patient care.
• It is for this reason that they must ensure that the nursing and midwifery workforce is well regulated and equitably distributed at each level of care. This is achieved through capacity building and training of nurses, registration and regulation of their conduct for improved performance of the profession. To do this, they are guided by the Nurses Act and several other regulatory tools developed for that purpose.
• They continue to work with national, regional and international organizations to further our objectives and ensure patient safety and delivery of quality health services.They would like to assure all our clients of excellent service as contained in our service charter and the strategic plan.