Nurses are an integral part of the healthcare industry and their importance cannot be overstated. In Zimbabwe, nursing is one of the most popular career choices for students.
However, there has been a recent debate about whether student nurses in Zimbabwe are paid for their work during their clinical rotations.
In this blog, we will explore this topic and shed light on the current situation of student nurses in Zimbabwe.
The Role of Student Nurses in Zimbabwe
The training process for nurses in Zimbabwe involves both theoretical and clinical components. During their training, student nurses are expected to perform a variety of tasks, including monitoring patients, administering medication, and providing basic care.
They work under the supervision of registered nurses and other healthcare professionals.
The responsibilities of student nurses during their clinical rotations are significant. They are an essential part of the healthcare team and have an important role in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
Through their rotations, they gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting, which is critical to their development as nurses.
In Zimbabwe, as a student nurse, your classroom is not only at school, but also at the patient’s bedside. This means that you must promote the safety, privacy, and dignity of the people who are allowing you to care for them.
This broad set of guidelines will help you get a sense of the clinical and academic responsibilities of students in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe student nurses duties include the following:
- Display a professional attitude to patients, their families, and other members of the health care team.
- Demonstrate the ability to cope with an array of unpredictable situations, be flexible, and remain emotionally stable under stress.
- Perform head-to-toe patient assessments. This includes providing and receiving verbal reports, preparing and administering medication, documenting care appropriately, providing emotional support and patient education, and delivering culturally competent care that respects each patient’s individual beliefs.
- Administer CPR as appropriate.
- Take part in classroom activities. These include group discussions, formal and informal oral presentations, scholarly papers and written reports, and web-based programs and software
- Complete nursing school exams within time limitations defined by school of nursing,
- Never pose a direct threat or serious risk to the health and safety of others in the class and clinical situation.
The role of a student nurse is physically, emotionally, and cognitively challenging. Please keep in mind that you have the support of your school members and health care staff at Schools of Nursing.
The Salary of Student Nurses in Zimbabwe
According to the Zimbabwean Nurses Association, student nurses are not employees of the government, and therefore, are not entitled to a salary.
They are considered as trainees who are undergoing practical training as part of their nursing education. However, some student nurses who are being trained by Government Hospitals (School of nursing) are receiving allowances on monthly bases.
Student nurses who are studying Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Science in various universities all over Zimbabwe are not receiving this monthly allowance since they are not included on the government scheme.
The laws and regulations regarding compensation for student nurses who are trained by the universities in Zimbabwe remain unclear. While it is mandatory for employers to pay Bsc student nurses in some countries, it is not the case in Zimbabwe.
Salary Ranges for Student Nurses in Zimbabwe
The economic status of Zimbabwe is currently not stable, therefore there are no fixed allowances for all student nurses being trained by the government of Zimbabwe.
Inflation rate is going up, almost on daily bases affecting the cost of living for student nurses. The allowances are paid in RTGS, of which student nurses will need to exchange the RTGS to united states dollars using the black market rate.
However, the Government of Zimbabwe introduced Covid Allowance which is paid in united states dollars to all civil servants including student nurses as cushion.
The figures as of June 2023 are as follows:
Gross Net $720 000 ZWL
USD ALLOWANCE. $200
The provided figure represents the median compensation that encompasses housing, transportation, and other perks. The salaries within the Nursing domain in Zimbabwe exhibit significant discrepancies across various professions.
How to Become a Student Nurse in Zimbabwe
To be a nurse you must undergo training which is three years in government hospitals and other private hospitals with nursing school departments. At the end of three years, you then write final exams which are only marked at Nurse’s Council of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Ministry of Health & Child Care
Welcome to our Nurse online application portal.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be aged between the ages of seventeen (17) and thirty (30) years on the date of commencement of training
- NB: Candidates should not be less than 17 years and not more than 30 years.
- Not more than two sittings with full certificates as Examination Result Slips are not accepted
- Have a minimum of 5 Ordinary Level passes with symbol C or better including English Language, Mathematics and a Science Subject plus any other three subjects, excluding Practical Subjects Except Agriculture
- Certified copies of birth certificate, National ID, Academic certificates and Marriage Certificate where applicable must be brought to the selection interviews if applicant has been short listed.
- Original Certificates should also be brought on interview day for certificate verification
HOW DO I APPLY FOR NURSING TRAINING AT COLLEGE
To be enrolled for Bsc Nursing Science at a university college:
You must have passed five O’ levels including English Language (grades A, B and C) in both ZIMSEC/CAMBRIDGE.
You must have passed at least two A’ level.
Intakes are for February and August.
You download the university application form, completely fill it and submit to the university together with education certificates.
Also, check for adverts of enrollment in the Herald and Sunday Mail.
Welcome to our Nurse online application portal.
The Impact of Not Paying Bachelor of Science Student Nurses
Not compensating student nurses in Zimbabwe can have several negative implications. It can make it difficult for them to meet personal expenses and live comfortably throughout their training, leading to financial hardships.
Being unable to meet their basic needs can also negatively affect the quality of patient care they provide during their clinical rotations, as they may be distracted by the stress of their financial situation.
Furthermore, not compensating student nurses can discourage some individuals from pursuing nursing as a career, potentially worsening the already existing shortage of nurses in Zimbabwe.
In conclusion, student nurses play a critical role in the healthcare industry and should not be undervalued or undercompensated.
While the current situation in Zimbabwe may not be ideal, it is essential that we continue to discuss the topic and advocate for positive change.
The government and other stakeholders in the healthcare industry should work together to ensure that bsc student nurses receive fair compensation for their work during clinical rotations. Ultimately, this will not only benefit the students but also enhance the healthcare system as a whole.