The uniqueness of nursing profession is that it is diverse with many potential career progression pathways to choose from. Understanding the different career progression pathways can help potential students find their best fit. Upon graduation, the BScN graduate enters the public service job market at the level preserved for the group known as “professional degrees” .the BScN takes internship for one year after which he/she is expected to sit for and pass the nursing council of Kenya licensing examinations. The BScN can practice in any of the following capacities:
1. Clinical Nurse practitioner: In this role the nurse functions within a multidisciplinary team to apply nursing process to clients as individuals in the hospitals and clinics, families and communities.
2. Nurse educator: BScN program prepares nurse educators who undertake teaching practice while in training. This prepares them to teach in the mid-level colleges such as the Kenya medical training colleges.
3. Clinical researcher: BScN are often employed as research nurses where they coordinate research activities or oversee care of research participants while working as participant’s advocates defending their rights during research while at the same time ensuring quality of data.
4. Care coordinator: BScN graduates in care coordination capacity are first line managers who are responsible for coordinating client care within the multidisciplinary team to ensure efficiency and patient safety.
5. Family Health Nurse: The BScN graduate conducts home visits and takes care of the individuals within the family. The graduate also assesses the family development cycle and applies the Nursing Process to the family.
6. Community health nurse: Focuses on the community as the client of care. Interventions are population based
7. Programme officers and directors: The graduate works in the various Non-Government organizations where they are employed as program officer
Opportunities for educational/academic advancement
· Post graduate Diplomas on various health fields
· Masters in clinical nursing in any of the following specialties lading to clinical nurse specialist in : o Medical- Surgical nursing o Critical Care Nursing o Oncological nursing o Mental health & Psychiatric nursing o Obstetric Nursing and Midwifery o Renal nursing o Community Health nursing
· Masters in Multidisciplinary courses in any field such as: o Master of Science in med. Microbiology o Master of Public health o Master of health systems management o Master of medical education/health professional education o Master of science in Bioethics and human rights
· Master in nurse practitioner in various specialties such as family health, pediatrics, etc.
· Nursing fellowship in any of the sub-specialty areas in which the nurse has Masters in .For example o Cardiothoracic nurse, neuroscience nurse, endocrinology nurse,etc
· PhD in Nursing,DNP and DNSc,DSc Opportunities for employment advancement
· Clinical Nursing:- Clinical nurse practitioner to clinical nurse consultant
· Nurse manager: From the ward to hospital manger to Administrator at national level
· Designations- from nursing officer to senior nursing Officer to Director Nursing services.
· In addition, the nurse can advance along the multidisciplinary administrative roles to CEO of various health industries. For details please log onto scheme of service for nurses in Kenya in the link below https://www.health.go.ke/wp-
