Private nursing institutions in Kenya continue to draw students who are eager for top-notch healthcare training, with programs on offer ranging from certificate and diploma courses all the way through to undergraduate and postgraduate nursing qualifications.
A few of the institutions highlighted in that original report are Gertrudes Childrens Hospital School of Nursing, AMREF International University, Aga Khan University, Kabarak University, Daystar University, Thika School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Kijabe College of Health Sciences – all of which are reputable players in Kenyan healthcare education.
Application requirements vary depending on the institution and specific course – so do make sure you confirm the latest requirements directly with your chosen institution before submitting your application.
10 Private Nursing Institutions in Kenya
10. Gertrudes Childrens Hospital School of Nursing
Gertrudes Childrens Hospital School of Nursing is actually based at the hospital in Muthaiga – just on the outskirts of Nairobi. Theyve got a real focus on training young healthcare professionals in paediatric and child-health.
According to the report, this institution offers a pretty wide range of programs including the Diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing, Higher National Diploma in Paediatric Nursing and Kenya Registered Paediatric Critical Care Nursing – and even some shorter, more specialist courses.
Application is pretty straightforward – just complete the relevant application form and send it in along with all the necessary documentation.
9. AMREF International University
AMREF International University – that’s a private health-sciences university with strong ties to the great work being done by AMREF Health Africa.
Theyve got a pretty good selection of nursing programs on offer, including diploma and degree level training – not to mention some higher diploma options in areas like critical care nursing.
You can apply online, and you can also get all the info you need by contacting the institution.
8. Aga Khan University
Aga Khan University is another private institution offering top-notch nursing education here in Kenya.
Their School of Nursing and Midwifery covers a lot of ground – from direct-entry and Post-RN BSc in Nursing programs, to nursing and midwifery postgraduate training.
Application is done through the university’s online admissions system – just follow the prompts and send in the documents they ask for.
7. Kabarak University
Kabarak University offers some great nursing education programs, giving students some really valuable opportunities to get hands-on experience in a real-world healthcare setting.
As the report highlights, theyve got partnerships in place with some top healthcare facilities including Nakuru Level 5 Hospital, AIC Kijabe Hospital, Tenwek Hospital and PCEA Chogoria Hospital.
You can expect to cover a pretty wide range of areas in their nursing programs including medical-surgical nursing, community health, midwifery, paediatric nursing, mental health and psychiatric nursing, leadership and management, and nursing research.
To apply, just get in touch with the university – theyll be able to give you all the paperwork you need.
6. Daystar University
Daystar University also offers a nursing program, with a real focus on putting the patient at the heart of everything they do.
Their School of Nursing covers areas like midwifery, reproductive health nursing, leadership and research.
Application is a pretty straightforward process – just pick out the program you want to apply for, check if you meet the admission requirements, fill out the online application and send it on its way. Youll then be able to use your application details to track how things are going.
5. Kismet College
Kismet College is the place to go if you’re looking to get some healthcare training. They offer up a range of courses including nursing assistant and caregiver programs – just the sort of thing to get you started in the healthcare sector.
Looking at the programs listed – and you’ll find them all on their website – they include Certified Nursing Assistant/Health Care Assistant training, caregiver programs, Community Health Assistant qualifications and some pretty specialised healthcare programs too.
So if you’re keen to get yourself signed up for one of these courses, you need to head on over to the college’s website and fill out an online application. They’ve got everything laid out for you, nice and simple.
4. Thika School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Thika School of Medicine and Health Sciences is a private health-training college in Thika that’s been around for a while. They offer a pretty wide range of medical and nursing-related programs – the sort of thing that’ll get you well-prepared for a career in the healthcare sector.
So what sort of programs do they offer? Well according to their website, they’ve got Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing alongside courses in medical laboratory technology, nutrition and dietetics, science laboratory technology and perioperative theatre technology – just a few examples to give you an idea.
If you’re thinking of applying to the school, all you need to do is get in touch and fill out an application form. They’ll want to know a bit more about you of course, so you’ll need to dig out your KCSE results, your contact details and what course you’re interested in. Easy peasy.
3. Goshen Medical & Technical College
Goshen Medical & Technical College is based in Thika and has been offering healthcare and technical training for a while now. They’ve got a range of nursing-related programs on offer, from certificate programs to more advanced courses.
The college lists Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing and Perioperative Theatre Technology as a couple of the nursing programs they offer – but there are more. If you’re interested in applying, head on over to their website where you’ll be able to find the course that’s right for you. From there, you can complete an online admission form – its a pretty straightforward process.
2. University of Eastern Africa, Baraton
The University of Eastern Africa, Baraton is a bit of a power-player in the world of universities. They offer nursing programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate level – which means whatever stage you’re at, they’ve got something for you.
So what sort of programs do they offer? Their School of Nursing provides a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Master of Science in Nursing – with a community-health focus at postgraduate level. Not bad for a private university.
If you’re looking to apply to UEAB, you’ll need to get a copy of your application form and send it in with any other documents they require. You’ll need to check their website too – they have two main intakes throughout the year, so make sure you get your application in on time.
1. Kijabe College of Health Sciences
Kijabe College of Health Sciences is a pretty well-known health-training institution in the region. It’s a faith-based college, and they offer a range of nursing programs.
Looking at what they have on offer, you’ll see that they’ve got Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing, Kenya Registered Critical Care Nursing, Kenya Registered Nurse Anaesthesia and Kenya Registered Perioperative Nursing on the menu. If one of these is the sort of program you’re looking for, you can get all the information you need to apply on their website. Simply pick the course you’re interested in, check the requirements, fill in the online application and you’re done.
What qualifications do you need to study nursing?
Let’s be clear on one thing – there is no single mean grade from KCSE that’ll automatically get you into any old nursing program in the country.
What you’ll actually need will depend on the course and the institution you’re applying to – so what’s needed for one course might be completely different from another. Some might also need a specific grade in a particular subject. So, the message is clear – check the specific requirements for the course and institution you’re interested in.
It’s worth remembering too that you should always check with the relevant authorities in Kenya to make sure the program and institution you’re looking to join has the right credentials. You don’t want to be stuck in a situation where you’ve spent a lot of money and time, only to find out that your qualification isn’t recognised – it’s just not worth the risk.
How to apply for a private nursing course in Kenya
Although procedures differ between institutions, the application process generally involves:
- Choose your programme — Decide whether you want a certificate, diploma, degree or specialised nursing qualification.
- Check the entry requirements — Confirm the required KCSE grades, subject requirements and any additional qualifications.
- Check accreditation/approval — Verify that the programme is appropriately recognised before paying fees.
- Complete the application — Use the institution’s official online portal or application form.
- Submit supporting documents — These may include academic certificates, identification documents, photographs and other programme-specific requirements.
- Pay the application fee where required.
- Wait for the admission decision — Successful applicants should receive instructions on registration and reporting.
What to Check Before Paying Fees
Choosing a nursing school is more than just listing out a bunch of schools. When you’re looking to apply, you need to get down to the nitty-gritty and find out what program you’re actually applying for, what the entry requirements are, if the school is even accredited or recognized, how much tuition is going to cost you – including all the other charges that come with it, how clinical training is handled, and when the next intake is.
The list of schools i made here should be thought of more as a rough guide to private nursing institutions, rather than some kind of official ranking. And just to be clear, when i say “best” and “leading” in this article, that’s just my opinion – it’s not the same as an official ranking from the government.
If you are currently looking at admissions for next year, or just trying to figure out the latest on fees and program availability, you really should be checking out the latest info straight from the source – ie the school itself and the relevant Kenyan regulators.
