A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
Critical Care Nursing has been in practice for treating critically ill patients, including those with Cardiothoracic conditions who have been nursed by nurses trained in Critical Care Nursing or Intensive Care Nursing.
Previously, patients with cardiothoracic conditions were flown abroad for treatment but with successes in cardiothoracic surgery in the country in recent times, there was urgent need to train nurses in cardiothoracic nursing.
In 1974,the first open heart surgery by Prof.N. Yuccub and his team Prof.H.C. Anyanwu, Prof. Nwafo from Harefield Cardiothoracic/Cardio Transplant Hospital was performed successfully.
Prof. Martin Aghaji when he came back to Nigeria from the United States of America continued, having 203 successful open heart surgeries with Prof. Nwachukwu/Dr. Eziashi as Anaesthetist. With series of successful open heart surgeries, UNTH was designated the Cardiothoracic Centre of Excellence in 1986.
After that, a few hospitals from Northern Nigeria (Sokoto and Jos Teaching Hospitals) sent some of the nursing staff for refresher course in ICU,which helped them to set up their own Intensive Care Nursing Units.
As a result of this expanded role in the care of cardiothoracic patients, from all over the country, there was need to train nurses in this ear of specialty to cope with the increasing demand for Cardiothoracic Nursing Care.
In September 1998, the Post Basic School of Cardiothoracic Nursing was finally inspected and given provisional accreditation in February 1999, by Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Mrs. Gladys Umeh was recalled back from Saudi Arabia where she is spending her terminal leave by the Hospital Management to come and head the school with an educator.
The school finally took off in October, 2000 with twelve students selected from across the Federation. Mrs. G. Umeh the co-ordinator while Mrs. N.M. Ibemesi was the Educator, Mrs.G.I Maduechesi and Mrs. L.U. Igbokwe were the first Tutors in the school , trained with the pioneer set. Other lecturers were drawn from various Post Basic Nursing Schools and from other relevant departments as guest lecturers.
VISION OF THE SCHOOL
Equipping the nurses with adequate knowledge and skill in critical care nursing and cardiovascular intensive care nursing.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
- To equip the nurse with pertinent knowledge, attitude and skill in cardiothoracic intensive care nursing
- To provide efficient and effective nursing care to cardiothoracic patients and the critically ill at large.
- To promote the advancement of cardiothoracic nursing in Nigeria.
SCHOOL PROGRAMME
Duration – One Year (12 Calendar months)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- A registered nurse with a minimum of two years working experience
- Holder of current practicing license
- Five credits including English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology at not more than two sittings
- WAEC OR SSCE with NECO combination
- NECO/NECO combination
SCHOOL FEES
- As stipulate by the hospital
- Sale Of Forms starts – February every year
- Entrance Examination – June every year
- Final Examination – Conducted by N&MCN November yearly
E-MAIL ADDRESS – cardionursingschenugu@yahoo.com.