By Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
ZIMBABWEAN trained nurses remain among the most sought after health professionals globally owing to the high standards of the country’s training schools.
Offering general nursing courses as well as post graduate programmes in renal, intensive care, coronary care, theatre, anaesthetist, oncology, palliative care and mental health nursing, Zimbabwe has over the years produced professionals who are highly sought after globally.
With almost two decades experience in tutoring, the acting Principal Tutor at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals School of Nursing, Mrs Ethel Tsomondo attributes the high demand of Zimbabwean nurses to the high quality and standards of the country’s education system.
“General nursing… our intake is 30 per intake, so we are churning out 90 per year; post graduate we are churning out 10 per programme. We have high standards of nursing which meet international requirements and we collaborate with universities. We also look for expert trainers in certain fields from professors, doctors, they come to lecture here. So, our quality of training is quite high compared to other countries and our standards are very high,” she said.
For the students practicing towards their General Nursing Certificate, theirs is a calling and they cannot wait to serve mankind.
“Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to be a nurse. I want to help the sick and make them feel better again,” said May Mutambanesango, a student nurse.
“When the acceptance letter came, I couldn’t believe that finally I would be a nurse. For me, it’s a dream come true. This is the noblest profession one can embark on and I can’t wait to finish my training and start practicing what I have learnt here,” said Tadiwadzanai Karimazondo, a student nurse.
Parirenyatwa has three nursing intakes per year and enrolls more than 100 local students and others from the region.
