The Nursing Group Administrators (NGA) has demanded the rescission of the nursing verification policy by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), insisting that the new rules demonstrate a blatant disregard for the well-being of nursing professionals.

The group said the regulation, which was issued by the NMCN Registrar in February 2024 had raised concerns among practicing nurses in the country as the policy neither enhances nursing practice standards nor protects patient interests but instead, creates unwarranted obstacles that impede the dedication and effectiveness of the nursing workforce in delivering essential healthcare services.

NGA called on the government and relevant stakeholders to intervene and make actionable policy recommendations, stating that an in-depth analysis of the policy has revealed impracticality and adverse implications on healthcare standards in Nigeria.

The group’s Representative, Edike Osemeke, who spoke during a press briefing in Lagos, emphasised that the requirements for the verification are excessively rigid with prolonged waiting periods, imposing an unreasonable burden on practicing nurses.

They equally noted that the policy overlooks the genuine challenges faced by nursing professionals in Nigeria where many nurses operate in resource-constrained environments, grappling with bureaucratic red tape and financial constraints to obtain necessary permissions and reference letters.

Osemeke advocated a revised policy that should prioritise practicality, accessibility, and advancement of healthcare standards in Nigeria, warning that failure to rectify the policy flaws could jeopardise the already dwindling healthcare system. “Failure to address these grievances and rectify the flaws in the current policy will exacerbate the crisis facing the Nigerian healthcare system, jeopardise the health and safety of millions of citizens. Urgent action is imperative to rectify this untenable situation and restore trust in the regulatory framework governing nursing practice in Nigeria.”

“Furthermore, we implore the NMCN to engage in meaningful dialogue with the public, nursing associations, advocacy groups, and relevant stakeholders to develop a more equitable, inclusive, and efficient verification process that upholds the integrity of nursing practice while safeguarding the well-being of nurses and the communities they serve,” he said.

She pointed out that the lack of transparency and consultation in formulating the rules underscores a profound disregard for the voices of the nursing community. “The NMCN has failed to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, disregarding the concerns and insights of those directly impacted by these draconian measures. We demand immediate action from the NMCN to revoke these unjust rules and engage in genuine consultation with nursing professionals and relevant stakeholders,” he said.

They further called for the implementation of competitive remuneration and compensation packages for nurses, including an increase in retention allowances, hazard allowances, and hardship allowances to account for the increased workload, working hours, and cost of living in Nigeria.

“These adjustments should be fully integrated into the proposed new salary structure by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, with swift implementation at the federal, state, and local council levels.”

The group demanded placement adjustment of Graduate Nurses to Grade level 10 and Intern Nurses to Grade level 09, ensuring appropriate recognition and compensation and adopting policies that empower nurses to practice to the full extent of their competency, expertise, skills, education, and training in a supportive and safe service delivery environment, fostering job satisfaction amongst others.

“Addressing the concerns raised by younger nurses regarding workload distribution, the reluctance of hospital management to hire additional staff, and toxic work culture is paramount. Policy decisions should be enacted to prevent mistreatment, ensure fair workload distribution, and foster a supportive work environment to retain young nurses and mitigate migration to alternative work settings.”

A specialist occupational health nurse in the United Kingdom, Tobi Omolere, said Nigeria’s current brain drain could be transformed into a brain gain if proactive measures are taken.

He also highlighted his journey from a nurse in Nigeria to a specialist occupational health nurse in the United Kingdom as the transformative impact of investments in professional development.