In a major policy shift, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has officially scrapped its controversial rule that automatically expelled student nurses who failed a professional qualifying examination three times.
Previously, nursing students who could not scale through after three attempts were permanently barred from continuing their careers in nursing, a decision that many stakeholders described as harsh and discouraging.
According to reports from Punch News, the Council announced that this policy has been reviewed to give students more opportunities to prove themselves and fulfill their dreams of becoming certified nurses. The new development is expected to reduce the anxiety and pressure that often surrounded the exams, while also boosting morale among nursing students across the country.
Stakeholders in the education and health sectors have welcomed the decision, describing it as a “progressive move” that aligns with global best practices in medical education, where students are given continuous chances to improve.
This landmark change is seen as a way to not only encourage resilience among students but also to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare sector by ensuring more qualified nurses are trained to meet the country’s growing health demands.
💬 What’s your take on this? Do you think scrapping the three-attempt limit will raise the standard of nursing or weaken it? Drop your thoughts in the comment box below!
