School of Nursing Department

If ever the mother of modern nursing Florence Nightingale, were to rise up and walk the face of earth today she would without doubt express satisfaction and at the same time be impressed by the sterling work that the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Chitungwiza Central Hospital (CCH) has been doing since its inception in 1985.

Although many people know Chitungwiza Central Hospital as a centre where patients receive medical services, the institution has also been on the forefront in terms of training Registered General Nurses, State Certified Midwives and Clinical Officers.Initially the school trained State Certified Nurses (SCN) and State Certified Maternity Nurses (SCMN). It however later discontinued these programs in 1992 when the department advanced to train Registered General Nurses (RGN) and State Certified Midwives (SCM). It added another program of Advanced Clinical Officers in 2006.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery is the department that carries the largest number of staff at the hospital with 25 tutors and about 230 students. Tutors in the department are of the highest qualifications and are degreed from either local or international universities.

“We are training nurses who are highly recommended both nationally and internationally. Those that have passed through this institution are going places since we are also ISO certified,” Mr Chipfurutse, who is a Senior Tutor in the department, said. This department is very pivotal to the hospital and the nation at large as it dispenses knowledge to health professionals to render quality services to patients.
The vision of the department is to maintain the integrity of the nursing profession. The team spirit and commitment maintained by the staff has resulted in a high pass rate of 100% in the State Final Examinations for the past three years in both General Nurses and Midwifery programmes. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were attained in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively, figures which are highly commendable.

The school staff conducts teaching and super-vision of students in theory, practice and clinical re-search with the whole aim of producing a competent cadre who is self directed, motivated and initiative in health services provision.The school recruits young women and men from all provinces in the country. The candidates should have a minimum of 5 “O” Level subjects with English and Science being compulsory with passes at grade “C” or better. A pass in Mathematics and “A” Level are added advantages. The advert for recruitment appears in the Herald and Sunday Mail on yearly basis, around July of each year.
And in similar vein, the department has man-aged to churn out quality products who match international standards such as those of students from the School of Nursing and Midwifery of Sheffield and North Trent Colleges which were established in 1995.

Requirements to be admitted to General Nursing Qualification are as follows
1. Minimum age 17 years
2. Aminimum of GSE Ordinary level passes at C or better.
A) English Language and a science subject (Mathematics, Biology,Physics and Chemistry, General Sciences. Extended Science or Core Science ) are compulsory.
B) Three other subjects which may be any of the following; History,Geography,Shona,Ndebele,Agriculture, Commerce, Accounts, Latin,French,Food and Nutrition,Economics or their equivalents. (Woodwork, Metal Work and Fashion and Fabrics are not considered)

Requirements to be admitted to Midwifrey Qualification are as follows.
1. Two years post basic experience.