Buhari Should Guarantee satisfactory wage for Nurses – Nunsa President
The President for the Nigerian Universities Nursing students’ association, Reuben Markus via his social media handle have called unto the Grand commander of Africa most populous nation, to ensure that nurses are paid a decent wage for their skill and professionalism
And what could have triggered and accelerated NUNSA President to voice out is uncertain, as of this moment whether NUNSA has reached out directly to the President through the media aides is also uncertain.
Nunsa National President
When it comes to their monthly take-home though, there is no much to admire, especially given the difference in salary structures in various sectors. Compared to medical doctors and some other medical professionals, the salaries of nurses are not as scintillating. Like most other medical professions, salaries of nurses vary per level of experience and sector. Private universities pay lesser salaries compared to their counterparts in Government hospitals or teaching hospitals.
On average, entry-level nurses earn N50, 000 – N80, 000 in private hospitals in Nigeria while their counterpart in government hospitals earn about N70, 000 – N120, 000. It should be noted that nurses in federal hospitals earn more than those in state hospitals. The salary structure is dependent on many factors. The consoling par for nurses in federal and State hospitals is the bonuses and allowances.
Nurses are entitled to several bonuses and allowances. They are also dependent on the level of experience. For instance, senior-level nurses earn more than entry-level nurses and have better bonuses and allowances. Generally, the salary structure for Nurses is based on two main standards: Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) which is for hospitals and Consolidated University Academic structure (CONAUSS) for Nurses in the academic sector.
Salaries of Nurses in Government Hospitals/Teaching Hospitals
Entry level (0 – 2 years’ experience): N70, 000 – N90, 000 (Only few hospitals pay more than this)
Mid-Level (2 – 5 years): N90, 000 – N110, 000
Experienced (5 years and above): N100, 000 – N150, 000
Salaries of Nurses in Private Hospitals
Entry level (0 – 2 years’ experience): N50, 000 – N80, 000
Mid-Level (2 – 5 years): N70, 000 – N100, 000
Experienced (5 years and above): N80, 000 – N150, 000
It should be noted that the salary stated above is the basic salary and it excludes bonuses and other allowances nurses are entitled to.
Recent researches showed that over 50% of nurses in Nigeria have are paid between N100,000 and N300,000, and about 38% receive between N50,000 and N100,000. Only 10% of nurses earn N300,000.
Experts also claim that this is an extremely low level of salary for such a hard work. In some cases one nurse can have over 30 patients under care, such situation happened because of a small number of professional nurses in the hospitals of the country.
Abdullahi Suleiman a Certified Registered Nurse based in Nigeria, an Entrepreneur and Also a Blogger, passionate about Community Development and Cosmetic Nursing
