Long delay in posting nurses deteriorates their skills – Rev. Awuku Gyampo

Rev. Dr. Ransford Awuku-Gyampo, the Clerk of the North America-Australia Presbytery and Chief Executive Officer of the Rans-Elliot School of Nursing in Koforidua, has raised concerns over the prolonged delays in posting newly trained nurses in Ghana, stating that these delays severely impact their professional skills.

In Ghana, many trained nurses and midwives spend an average of three to four years at home after graduation before being posted by the government.

This is due to a lack of financial clearance leaving thousands of nurses and midwives still at home after professional their training.

Rev. Dr. Awuku Grampo stated that this extended period of inactivity could lead to a significant deterioration in the practical skills acquired during their training.

“Nursing is a profession based on applied science, which requires continuous practice and experimentation,” he said. “Long delays in posting newly licensed nurses result in a loss of skills, which poses a serious threat to the quality of healthcare in Ghana. Just imagine someone who has graduated as a nurse and has to sit at home for four years, struggling to survive. This situation is unacceptable.”

He questioned “Is it a sin to become a nurse? Is it a taboo to be trained and say, ‘I want to serve my nation’? What is our problem? I pray that we do not lose these skills because of unnecessary delays,” Rev. Dr. Awuku-Gyampo stated.

He stressed the financial and emotional toll the delay takes on graduates, many of whom are forced to take on menial jobs to survive.

“Graduates who remain inactive for long periods face financial challenges, leading to frustration and a potential loss of interest in the profession,” he added.

He said this during the graduation of the first batch of 11 trained nurses while matriculating 15 students for the next academic in Rans-Elliot School of Nursing.

The institution is affiliated with the University of Cape Coast and accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana, which recently held its first graduation ceremony.

The Principal of the school, Doreen Osae-Ayensu, reflecting on the contributions of private nursing institutions said, “Private colleges have expanded access to nursing education, particularly for students who may not have gained admission to public institutions.”

She called for effective collaboration between government and the private nursing institutions to move the frontiers of the profession to meet the sustainable development Goals and Universal Health coverage.

Nana Boaduwaa, Adwesohemaaa, a Retired Midwife advises the graduands to show passion and commitment to the profession when working.