Nursing Schools and Programs in Tanzania

Nursing Studies in Tanzania

Are you an aspiring nurse who is considering the possibility of studying abroad in a foreign country?  Have you considered the beautiful country of Tanzania as a potential study abroad destination?  Although not your typical study abroad locale, Tanzania offers a number of unique programs for students of nursing, including the opportunity to work with a wide variety of patients in a clinical setting.
 
Located in East Africa in the African Great Lakes region, Tanzania is a country that is simply bursting with culture and natural beauty.  The nation borders several other African countries, including Kenya and Uganda to the north; Rwanda and Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west; and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south, while the eastern border of Tanzania is formed by the Indian Ocean.  Tanzania is home to a number of natural wonders, not the least of which is Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak on the African continent, which is located in the country’s northeast.
 
Tanzania is divided into 30 administrative regions:  five on the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar and 25 on the mainland, formerly known as Tanganyika.  The head of state is President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, elected in 2005.  Since 1996, the official capital of Tanzania has been Dodoma, where the National Assembly and some government offices are located.  Between independence and 1996, however, the main coastal city of Dar es Salaam served as the country's political capital. It remains Tanzania's principal commercial city and is the main location of most government institutions.  It is also the main port of the country.
 
Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged in April of 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.  The country was officially renamed in October of the same year, becoming what we now know today as the United Republic of Tanzania ('Tan' comes from Tanganyika and 'Zan' from Zanzibar).  The Articles of Union that were drafted as part of the merger continue to serve as the main foundation of Tanzania.
 
Nursing Education in Tanzania
 
Nursing education is a key area of study of at the majority of Tanzanian universities, where the main focus is improving the quality of nursing care and education in both within the country and the entire East African region.  All programs focus on the development and expansion of the core competencies of nurses and midwives with an aim towards providing patients, families and communities with quality care that is guided by evidence-based practice.  Degree programs in the nursing field are offered at a variety of different levels:  diploma, undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs, reserved for nurses who are currently working in the field.
 
Diploma programs in nursing, which have been offered via distance learning programs since 2006, aim to upgrade the knowledge and skills of enrolled participants to the level of Registered Nurses.  Like in most countries, nurses in Tanzania are recognized as the principal component of “front line” health staff and play an especially important role in the health systems of developing countries like Tanzania.  Those who complete the diploma program, which generally spans two-and-a-half to three years, are permitted to take the licensing program to become Registered Nurses (RNs). 
 
In Tanzania, the Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing generally spans 3 years in duration.  This program is designed to give senior Registered Nurses the opportunity to upgrade their diplomas to degree level, and to allow them to acquire the in-depth knowledge and skills necessary to understand and influence the development of health-care reform in the country. The course consists of classroom-based lectures and seminars, typically held on a bi-weekly basis.  The clinical practice component of these programs is generally conducted in the student’s workplace under the supervision of licensed nursing and medical staff.
 
Why Study Abroad in Tanzania
 
Tanzania is a beautiful country, rich in natural resources and culture. It is also one of the most medically under-served countries in the world, giving students who opt to study there the unique opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others. The Tanzanian study-abroad experience will provide students with the chance to study and learn a new and alternate perspective with regards to nursing care; a perspective that relies on resourcefulness, creativity, a sense of community and faith. Students will spend time with medical, spiritual, and educational leaders, and may even be assigned to host families—families who are always eager to take students in and see to their living arrangements.
 
When not busy studying in the classroom, students will have ample opportunities to explore all the natural and man-made beauty Tanzania has to offer, while visiting some of the country’s most famous sites and attractions, including:
 
Mount Kilimanjaro

One of the most frequented attractions in all of Africa; Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is home to Africa's highest mountain peak.  Thousands of people visit this renowned peak each year to hike up its majestic slopes, a feat which can be accomplished via a multi-day guided tour.  Others come simply to appreciate the mountain from its base, while taking part in some of the other activities offered at this gorgeous national park. Mount Kilimanjaro was recently named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park is a vast treeless plain with thousands, if not millions of animals to behold as they bask and interact in their native grasslands.  As the largest national park in Tanzania, the Serengeti attracts thousands of tourists each year.

The best months for wildlife viewing are between December and June, and the wet season stretches from March to May.  One of the most fascinating things to see in the park is the annual migration of millions of zebra and wildebeest, which takes place in May or early June of each year. This migration is one of the most impressive natural events in the world and the primary draw for many tourists.

Other sights to take in while touring the famous Serengeti include large herds of antelope, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, bat eared foxes and jackals, along with nearly 500 species of birds. Many of these bird species are attracted to the swamp area of the park—a must-visit spot for any bird lover in your group. The word “Serengeti” is based in the Massai language and translates literally to “extended place.”

Stone Town

Another popular spot for tourists is the place known as Stone Town, a city that owes its unique charm to the hundreds of grand old Arabian homes and narrow alleyways that make up its composition. Located on Zanzibar Island, Stone Town has become the primary destination for thousands of guests each year.  Some of the historic buildings have now been converted into museums, where visitors can learn the history of the old town and that of Zanzibar Island.  Stone Town also plays host to a few interesting and very beautiful old churches, each loaded with historical significance.