Specialty Nursing Careers: Untold Stories of Nigeria
Last Updated on July 4, 2023
Introduction
Nursing is a noble profession that involves taking care of patients’ physical, emotional, and mental needs.
In Nigeria, nursing is a highly-respected profession, with many specialized nursing careers available, including pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, midwifery, critical care nursing, and surgical nursing.
However, there are many lesser-known nursing careers as well, and the purpose of this blog is to shed light on them.
These nursing careers include forensic nursing, school nursing, travel nursing, and occupational health nursing.
Through this blog, readers will gain a better understanding of the options available to them in the nursing profession in Nigeria and the roles and responsibilities that come with each specialty.
Therefore, if you’re considering a career in nursing or simply want to learn more about the field, this blog is for you.
Read: The Path to Becoming a Surgeon in Nigeria
Palliative Care Nursing
1. Definition of Palliative Care Nursing and its Role in Healthcare
Palliative Care Nursing is a specialized field of nursing that focuses on relieving the symptoms and improving the quality of life of patients with life-limiting illnesses.
It involves providing physical, emotional, spiritual, and social support to patients and their families during the end-of-life phase.
Palliative Care Nurses work closely with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to manage pain, control symptoms and coordinate care services for patients.
2. Importance of Palliative Care in Nigeria
Palliative Care is an essential component of comprehensive healthcare in Nigeria. With the increasing burden of chronic diseases and the aging population, there is a growing need for specialized care services that can alleviate the suffering of patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Palliative Care helps to promote patient-centered care, improve family support and enhance the overall quality of life of patients and their families.
3. Examples of Palliative Care Nursing Stories in Nigeria
There are many inspiring examples of Palliative Care Nursing stories in Nigeria. One of such stories is the case of Mrs. Ojo, a 65-year-old widow with advanced breast cancer who was referred to the Palliative Care unit.
The Palliative Care Nurse worked closely with the patient and her family to manage her symptoms, provide emotional support and ensure a dignified death.
Another example is the story of Mr. Ahmed, a 70-year-old man with end-stage renal disease who was supported by a team of Palliative Care Nurses to manage his pain, control his symptoms and receive spiritual care during his final days.
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Forensic Nursing
These applies nursing science to legal proceedings, aiding the intersection of healthcare and justice.
Forensic nurses collaborate with law enforcement, lawyers, and judges to address healthcare issues in legal matters.
They provide vital information to the judicial process, aiding cases involving domestic violence, assault, and rape.
Forensic nurses support trauma victims and intervene when needed.
In Nigeria, forensic nursing plays a significant role due to high rates of violent crimes.
They provide medical care, collect evidence, and offer factual information in criminal cases.
A forensic nurse assisted a assaulted woman, collecting evidence that led to the perpetrator’s arrest and prosecution.
Another case involved a child with suspected physical abuse, where a forensic nurse collected evidence for prosecution.
Forensic nurses protect vulnerable individuals, especially at-risk children, by collecting evidence for prosecution.
Forensic nursing is essential in Nigeria’s healthcare system, addressing violent crimes and ensuring justice for victims.
They provide expert testimony and exceptional service at the intersection of healthcare and the legal system.
Read: Inside the Life of General Practitioners in Nigeria
Travel Nursing
What is travel nursing and how does it contribute to healthcare?
- Travel nursing is a type of nursing where healthcare professionals move from one location to another to provide temporary healthcare services.
- Travel nurses are contracted for short-term assignments in different hospitals, clinics, healthcare facilities, and private practices.
- Travel nursing provides support for hospitals facing shortages in nursing staff.
- It helps healthcare facilities fill gaps in their healthcare services by providing temporary and often specialized nurses.
Why is travel nursing important in Nigeria?
- Nigeria’s healthcare system faces several challenges, including shortages in healthcare workers and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
- The country’s nursing industry is facing a staffing crisis due to the emigration of nursing professionals and low retention rates.
- Travel nursing can offer a practical solution to the nursing and healthcare shortages in Nigeria by bridging the gaps in healthcare services and providing specialized nurses to communities that need them.
- Travel nursing can provide Nigerian nurses with new professional development opportunities, including working in different healthcare settings, which can benefit their career and help them gain more skills and experience.
Can you provide examples of travel nursing stories in Nigeria?
- Travel nursing is an emerging trend in Nigeria, and there are limited documented stories about it.
- However, some Nigerian travel nurses have shared their experiences online, which provide insight into the life of a travel nurse in Nigeria.
- One nurse shared her experience of working as a travel nurse to deliver healthcare services to underserved communities and remote areas in Nigeria.
- She mentioned the challenges of traveling to different parts of the country and working with patients who speak different languages and have different cultural practices.
- Another nurse who works as a travel nurse in Nigeria shared his experience of working long hours and sometimes being away from his family, but he stated that the rewards outweighed the challenges as he was able to provide healthcare services to those who needed it most.
Research Nursing
Research nursing refers to the specialized area of nursing that focuses on conducting scientific investigations on human health issues.
The primary role of research nursing is to facilitate medical research studies and ensure that patients are treated ethically.
Research nursing is essential in healthcare because it helps to advance medical knowledge and improve patient care.
The data gathered from research studies can help healthcare providers develop better treatment plans and improve patient outcomes.
Importance of Research Nursing in Nigeria
Nigeria is a country facing many health challenges, and research nursing can play a crucial role in addressing these challenges.
Research nursing can help to identify the root causes of health problems in Nigeria and develop effective interventions to address them.
Moreover, research nursing can help to improve the quality of healthcare services in Nigeria by promoting evidence-based practice.
Nurses can use research findings to improve patient care and make informed decisions when it comes to patient management.
Read: Physiotherapy: A Growing Demand in Nigerian Healthcare
Examples of Research Nursing Stories in Nigeria
There have been many research nursing stories in Nigeria, and some of them are highlighted below:
- A study conducted in Nigeria focused on exploring the experiences of women who gave birth at home. The findings of the research revealed that most of the women who gave birth at home did not receive adequate prenatal care.
The study recommended that there is a need to improve maternal healthcare services in Nigeria. - Another research study in Nigeria investigated the prevalence of malaria among pregnant women. The study found that pregnant women in Nigeria are at high risk of contracting malaria due to poor access to healthcare services.
The findings of the study led to the development of interventions to prevent malaria in pregnant women. - A third research study in Nigeria examined the factors that contribute to the high prevalence of hypertension in the country. The study found that poor dietary habits and lack of exercise were the main contributors to hypertension in Nigeria.
The findings of the study led to the development of educational programs to promote healthy lifestyles in Nigeria.
Basically, research nursing plays a critical role in healthcare by promoting evidence-based practice and improving patient outcomes. In Nigeria, research nursing can help to address the country’s health challenges and improve the quality of healthcare services.
Read: Anatomy of Nigeria’s Healthcare Professions: Salary Guide
Conclusion
Specialty nursing careers play a crucial role in healthcare in Nigeria.
These specialized nurses provide more nuanced care to patients with specific needs, ensuring that they receive the best possible treatment.
By highlighting the untold stories of Nigeria’s specialty nurses, readers can better appreciate the exceptional work that is being done by these healthcare professionals.
If you are interested in learning more about nursing careers in Nigeria, there are many resources available.
Websites such as Nursingworld Nigeria and Nursing Council of Nigeria provide information on educational programs and licensing requirements.
Additionally, interested individuals can seek out mentorship opportunities or participate in nursing organizations to expand their knowledge of the field.
Finally, we encourage readers to consider pursuing a career in nursing.
Not only is it a fulfilling way to serve others, but there is also plenty of opportunity for growth and specialization within the field. With its focus on compassionate care and the promotion of health, nursing is a career path that truly makes a difference in the lives of others.
