Kalene Nursing School
Early Progress at the Kalene School of Nursing
We are pleased to announce that the Kalene School of Nursing opened on 3rd March 2008. The following article highlights efforts made to prepare the school for opening, and progress of the school and students since the school was opened.
History of the school
The nursing school was first opened 1969, under the supervision of Hilda Wadsworth, with 420 nurses being trained over 20 years. The school gained a reputation for its high standards and the quality of its graduates. Unfortunately it was closed due to staffing difficulties (a health issue in rural Africa and Zambia, which is discussed later in this article)
Government initiative and funding to reopen the school
Refurbished classroom in the Nursing School (Click for larger image)
Part of the government’s response to the shortage of nurses in Zambia has been to reopen nursing schools that had previously been closed. Although the nursing school was still structurally sound a lot of work was necessary. The funding for this has been provided by the government of Zambia. We are very grateful for this and acknowledge that without this support it would not have been possible to reopen the school.
The work included complete a renovation of the schools structures (painting, fixing of roofs, drainage), refurbishment of the students rooms, re-establishing the library and purchasing teaching resources, computers and cooking equipment. Two houses were also built for nursing tutors.
Staffing
Mr Aaron Banda, Principal (Click for larger image)
Mr Aaron Banda has been appointed the Principal tutor and has done an excellent job preparing the school for opening, providing leadership and guidance and in coordinating the teaching program of the school. He has been joined by Mr Godfrey Mwila and more recently by Mr S Kamanga. Mr Crispan Savita is the school's clinical instructor, and the teaching program has also been assisted by Registered Nursing staff at the hospital, including Mrs Mary Simwanza, Mr Clement Chipule.
Development of the Hospital
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The re-opening of the nursing school has also coincided with plans to develop the hospital. This has been linked to the Zengamina Hydroelectric Project, which has provided electricity for both the nursing school and hospital. Structural renovation of the hospital has included new toilet blocks, electrical rewiring, putting in place a High Dependency Unit and a new hospital furnace. A surgeon has joined the staff resulting in a subsequent development in the medical services provided by the hospital. The nursing school and hospital have been working closely together to support and benefit each other.
Nursing school syllabus
This school provides a two year course for the training of Zambian enrolled nurses (ZEN). The syllabus is determined by the Zambian Nursing Council and includes medical and surgical sciences, anatomy and physiology, biological and behavioural sciences and practical modules. It is the intention of the nursing school to provide a high quality nursing education, while also emphasizing the importance of putting the patient first and of looking after the needs of the patient in a holistic approach.
Initial progress
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30 students were selected. The selection process included a government aptitude test, essay question and an oral interview. The intention is that the school will help train staff who will be able and willing to work in rural areas, especially in the North Western Province of Zambia. A number of the students have received an opportunity to train as a nurse. There is a positive class atmosphere, with the students working together well, and we are pleased to report that all the students successfully completed their initial examinations after the introductory three month of lectures. There have also been times of fun, with student sporting events and dinners being organized.
Nursing Students sports day (Click for larger image)
Spiritual atmosphere at the school
Mission staff contribute to the school by performing the morning devotions. There is also a Sunday early evening service which is contributed to by mission, nursing school staff and other church leaders in the community. The groups singing is an enjoyable positive experience. There is an emphasis on maintaining a positive spiritual atmosphere. We believe that is is important that Christian love and care is taught as well as having a high educational standard. This will help nurse to have a commitment first and foremost to look after patients and will also equip them to look after the whole patients physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Recruitment of Nursing staff to work in Rural Zambia
Students at the entrance to the school(Click for larger image)
The United Nations Family Planning Association (UNFPA) is committed to training and to the recruitment and retention of nurses in rural Zambia. As 50% of the population live in rural areas it is important to have trained staff working in these places. It has been observed that nurses that come from a rural environment, and also those trained in a rural setting are more likely to work in a rural area. The Kalene Nursing School is therefore well positioned to help recruit nurses to work in rural areas. The UNFPA is therefore paying student tuition fees for those who agree to work in the North West Province for two years after qualifying.
Benefits for Kalene Hospital
The nursing school will help the hospital in a number of ways. This will include helping to introduce a higher standard of nursing and documentation in the wards and in helping to attract good staff who can help in the hospital as well as helping with teaching in the nursing school. However the main benefit will be in the ability it will create to redress the issue of the chronic shortage the hospital has had with employed qualified nursing staff. 10 of the current class have expressed an interest in staying at Kalene (see How can we Help)
Extra development of the nursing school is planned
Due to the ongoing shortage of nurses in Zambia the government and Clinton Foundation are committed to further development of the school. The initial phase will include building a new student hostel to enable a yearly intake of 30 students, and also the building of four new staff houses. Further discussion has included building new lecture rooms and further expanding the school capacity to 100 students.
Summary
The Kalene School of Nursing has started well. The support from the government, the provincial and district health teams has been excellent. There is a good group of students and a team of tutors and instructors is beginning to come together. Through out the process we have seen Gods hand at work, and we are thankful to everyone who has contributed to this process.
How could you help?
Sponsoring nurses. Anyone interested in nursing School sponsorship, including the purchase of textbooks should contact the Administrator
Assisting the establishment of a hostel for newly qualified single nursing staff