Are you a student nurse in Kenya looking to become a registered nurse? Do you want to be a Licensed Nurse in Kenya? Well, search no more. To practice Nursing as a career in Kenya, you need to be licensed. So, how do I go about it? This article has the answers to all your questions.
The medical profession, specifically nursing, is a profession that is highly in demand in Kenya. Also, it is a career requiring dedication, skill, and commitment. In Kenya, the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) is the regulatory body responsible for maintaining high standards in nursing and midwifery education and practice. Suppose you’re a nursing student or a professional looking to practice in Kenya. In that case, you must register and pass the NCK exams. So when is the NCK exam registration in 2024, and what are the deadlines?
Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK)
The Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) is a statutory body established by the Nurses and Midwives Act, Cap 257 of the Laws of Kenya. Its primary mandate is to regulate nursing and midwifery education and practice standards within the country and ensure that nurses and midwives meet the required competencies before practicing in Kenya.
The NCK’s mission is to regulate and enforce nursing and midwifery education and practice standards that inspire public safety and confidence. To achieve this, the council works closely with national, regional, and international organizations to further its objectives, ensure patient safety, inspire patient confidence, and deliver quality health services.
Key Functions of the NCK
The NCK has several crucial functions, including:
- Establishing and improving standards for all branches of the nursing profession
- Prescribing and regulating syllabuses, courses, and examinations for nursing and midwifery education
- Maintaining registers and records of registered and enrolled nurses and midwives
- Advising the Cabinet Secretary on matters concerning nursing and midwifery
- Recommending approved institutions for nursing and midwifery training
- Monitoring the conduct of registered and enrolled nurses and midwives
- Ensuring proper standards of nursing care in healthcare institutions
NCK Exam Dates and Deadlines for 2024
The NCK has set the following important dates and deadlines for the 2024 exams:
- Registration Deadline for April Exams: 11th March, 2024
- Withdrawal Deadline for April Exams: 29th March, 2024
- First Mock Exams: April 1-5, 2024
- Second Mock Exams: April 8-12, 2024
- Exam Rehearsals: 22nd April, 2024
- Application Opening for August Exams: 29th April 2024
- Application Closing for August Exams: 14th June 2024
- Exam Rehearsals for August Exams: 12th August, 2024
- Application Opening for November Exams: 26th August 2024
- Application Closing for November Exams: 5th October, 2024
- Exam Rehearsals for November Exams: 11th November, 2024
Requirements To Sit for NCK Exams
Before you apply for the Licensing exams as a student nurse, you must meet all NCK Exam requirements. Below are all the eligibility criteria to follow.
- Applicants must have completed a nursing or midwifery program from an approved institution in Kenya or outside Kenya.
- Meet NCK minimum entry criteria for the O-level mean grade with the cluster.
- Meet NCK minimum entry criteria for O-level mean grade without cluster subjects.
- Applicants are to present their original certificate and license.
- Applicants must make official applications, attach required documents for verification, and pay the prescribed fees.
How To Register For NCK Exam 2024
Every year, the NCK administers licensing examinations to ensure that nurses and midwives meet the required competencies before they can practice in Kenya.
Here are the steps to take For the NCK exams Online Application:
- Your training school should Submit Your Application to NCK.
- A link will be provided to your email as provided by training institutions.
- Use the link provided to access the NCK online portal.
- If you don’t have an account, create one by providing the required information.
- Fill out the application form with accurate personal and academic details.
- Upload scanned copies of the required documents, such as your academic certificates and identification documents.
- Pay the required examination fees through the online payment gateway.
- Review your application and submit it once you’re satisfied with the information provided.
NCK Exams Timetable For all Programmes in 2024
The NCK exam timetable is already out. The NCK exams consist of four papers for basic cadres and three for others. The exams are scheduled to run from 1St To 22nd April 2024. Additionally, there are August exams from the 12th to the 13th and November papers from the 12th to the 14th. To Help you understand even more way better, here are all the programmers and their dates:
April Exams:
- 1st to 5th April 2024: First Mock Exams
- 8th to 12th April 2024: Second Mock Exams
- Rehearsals: April 22nd, 2024
Programme | Exam Date |
---|---|
KRPAEDN | 23rd April 2024 |
KRM | 23rd April 2024 |
KRPAEDCCN | 23rd April 2024 |
KRPCN | 23rd April 2024 |
KRON | 23rd April 2024 |
KRNA | 23rd April 2024 |
KROPN | 23rd April 2024 |
KRMH&PN | 23rd April 2024 |
KRN | 23rd April 2024 |
KRPON | 23rd April 2024 |
KECHN B | 23rd April 2024 |
KRCCN | 23rd April 2024 |
KRNN | 23rd April 2024 |
KRT&EN | 23rd April 2024 |
KRNeoN | 23rd April 2024 |
KRN/M | 24th April 2024 |
KRN/MHP | 24th April 2024 |
BScN | 24th April 2024 |
BScM | 24th April 2024 |
KEM | 24th April 2024 |
KEN | 24th April 2024 |
August Exams:
- Application Opens: April 29th, 2024
- Application Closes: June 14th, 2024
- Rehearsals: August 12th, 2024
Programme | Exam Date |
---|---|
KRPAEDN | 13th August 2024 |
KRIM | 13th August 2024 |
KRPAEDCCN | 13th August 2024 |
KRPCN | 13th August 2024 |
KRON | 13th August 2024 |
KRNA | 13th August 2024 |
KROPN | 13th August 2024 |
KRMH&PN | 13th August 2024 |
KRN | 13th August 2024 |
KRPON | 13th August 2024 |
KECHN B | 13th August 2024 |
KRCCN | 13th August 2024 |
KRNN | 13th August 2024 |
KRT&EN | 13th August 2024 |
KRNeoN | 13th August 2024 |
KRN/M | 14th August 2024 |
KRN/MH | 14th August 2024 |
BScN | 14th August 2024 |
BScM | 14th August 2024 |
KEM | 14th August 2024 |
KEN | 14th August 2024 |
KRCHN B | 15th August 2024 |
November Exams:
- Application Opens: August 26th, 2024
- Application Closes: October 5th, 2024
- Rehearsals: November 11th, 2024
Programme | Exam Date |
---|---|
KRPAEDN | 12th November 2024 |
KRM | 12th November 2024 |
KRPAEDCCN | 12th November 2024 |
KRPCN | 12th November 2024 |
KRON | 12th November 2024 |
KRNA | 12th November 2024 |
KROPN | 12th November 2024 |
KRMH&PN | 12th November 2024 |
KRN | 12th November 2024 |
KRPON | 12th November 2024 |
KECHN B | 12th November 2024 |
KRCCN | 12th November 2024 |
KRNN | 12th November 2024 |
KRT&EN | 12th November 2024 |
KRNeoN | 12th November 2024 |
KRN/M | 12th November 2024 |
KRN/MH | 12th November 2024 |
BScN | 12th November 2024 |
BScM | 12th November 2024 |
KEM | 12th November 2024 |
KEN | 12th November 2024 |
KRCHN B | 14th November 2024 |
Nursing Council of Kenya exam centres
The NCK has approved various learning centers as examination centers across different regions in Kenya. Below is a PDF of all NCK Exam centers in 2024:
How To Pass NCK Exams
The secret to passing the NCK exams is just to be serious about your career goals. By doing this, you can start early preparations to ensure success. Here are some of the tips to help you in your studies:
- Familiarize yourself with the syllabus and course content covered in your nursing or midwifery program.
- Attempt past exam papers to understand better the exam format and the types of questions asked.
- Many institutions offer preparatory classes or workshops to help candidates prepare for the NCK exams. If available, attend these classes.
- Form Study Groups
- Manage Your Time Effectively
- To ensure optimal performance during the exams, maintain a healthy lifestyle, get enough rest, and manage stress levels.
Post-Exam Registration and Licensing
Successful candidates must pass the NCK exams and submit an online application for registration and licensing. Once the registration and licensing process is complete, they will receive a practice license and registration certificate within a specified timeframe.
How many times can one sit for NCK Exams?
You can retake the NCK exams a maximum of four times.
And that is all to know about the NCK exam Registration In Kenya 2024. I can’t say anything more, but I wish you all the best in your exams. Remeber to start preparations early enough. In addition, also take note of the exam dates to meet your exams in 2024. If you have any questions that you would like to shoot, please comment down below, and I will get back to you ASAP
All the best, Champ