The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) School of Nursing Sciences has officially announced the commencement of admission into its Post-Basic Nursing Programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session. The institution is inviting qualified and registered nurses across Nigeria to apply for admission into its highly respected specialist nursing programmes in Paediatric Nursing and Accident & Emergency Nursing.

According to the official announcement released by the management of the College of Nursing Sciences, the programmes will run for a period of twelve calendar months and are specifically designed to equip nurses with advanced practical skills, professional competence, and specialist knowledge required in modern healthcare delivery.

The UPTH School of Nursing Sciences remains one of the leading nursing institutions in Nigeria, known for producing highly trained healthcare professionals who contribute significantly to the nation’s healthcare system. Over the years, the institution has maintained a strong reputation for academic excellence, quality clinical exposure, and practical-oriented training.

The newly announced admission exercise offers qualified nurses the opportunity to advance their careers, gain specialist certifications, and improve their professional standing in the healthcare sector.

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Programmes Available

Applications are currently being accepted into the following Post-Basic Nursing programmes:

1. Paediatric Nursing Programme

The Paediatric Nursing programme is designed for registered nurses who wish to specialize in the care and management of infants, children, and adolescents. Nurses undergoing this programme will receive intensive training in child healthcare, child development, emergency paediatric care, neonatal nursing, nutrition, immunization practices, and management of childhood illnesses.

The programme also focuses on helping nurses develop communication skills necessary for dealing with children and their families in both emergency and routine healthcare situations.

Graduates of the programme are expected to function effectively in:

• Paediatric wards
• Neonatal intensive care units
• Child health clinics
• Specialist hospitals
• Community healthcare centres
• Emergency paediatric units
• Maternal and child healthcare centres

With the increasing demand for specialized child healthcare professionals in Nigeria and beyond, the programme presents a major opportunity for nurses seeking career growth and specialization.

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2. Accident and Emergency Nursing Programme

The Accident and Emergency Nursing programme is structured to train nurses in the management of emergency medical situations, trauma care, accident response, and critical patient stabilization.

The programme exposes candidates to advanced emergency response techniques and prepares them to work effectively in fast-paced and high-pressure healthcare environments.

Areas covered during the programme include:

• Emergency patient assessment
• Trauma management
• Disaster response nursing
• Critical care procedures
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Emergency surgical support
• Intensive emergency interventions
• Patient stabilization techniques

Nurses who complete the programme can work in:

• Emergency departments
• Trauma centres
• Intensive care units
• Ambulance and rescue services
• Military and paramilitary medical units
• Specialist emergency centres
• Federal and state hospitals

As healthcare systems continue to evolve, the need for highly trained emergency nurses continues to rise. This makes the programme highly valuable for nurses seeking professional advancement.

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About the UPTH College of Nursing Sciences

The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital College of Nursing Sciences is one of Nigeria’s foremost nursing institutions dedicated to excellence in healthcare education, clinical practice, and nursing research.

Located in Rivers State, the institution has consistently maintained high standards in nursing education and has produced thousands of competent healthcare professionals currently serving in different parts of Nigeria and internationally.

The college is known for:

• Experienced academic and clinical instructors
• Standard learning facilities
• Advanced clinical exposure
• Practical-oriented nursing education
• Strong professional discipline
• Modern healthcare training systems
• Conducive learning environment

Students admitted into the institution benefit from direct exposure to clinical cases within the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, which serves as a major referral hospital in the South-South region of Nigeria.

This gives trainees the opportunity to gain real-life experience while learning under qualified consultants, nurses, and healthcare specialists.

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Admission Requirements

The management of the institution has clearly outlined the requirements candidates must meet before they can be considered eligible for admission.

Interested applicants are advised to carefully review the admission conditions before proceeding with the application process.

O’Level Requirements

Applicants must possess:

• Five (5) credit passes in relevant science subjects
• Credits must be obtained in not more than two sittings
• Acceptable examination bodies include WAEC, NECO, and GCE

The compulsory subjects include:

• English Language
• Mathematics
• Biology
• Physics
• Chemistry

The institution specifically stated that Biology must be presented and not Health Science.

Candidates who do not meet the required subject combination may not be considered for admission.

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Professional Qualification Requirements

Applicants must also:

• Be registered nurses and/or registered midwives
• Possess valid evidence of registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)
• Have at least one year post-qualification working experience
• Possess a current practicing licence

The institution also disclosed that candidates with a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc) degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) may have an added advantage during consideration.

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Selection Process

The admission process will involve a screening and selection exercise.

According to the institution, admission will be based on:

• Academic qualifications
• Performance in the entrance examination
• Verification of credentials
• Professional registration status
• Valid practicing licence

The entrance examination will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT).

Candidates are therefore advised to prepare adequately ahead of the examination.

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Application Procedure

The management has provided detailed instructions for interested candidates to complete their application successfully.

Applicants are expected to follow the steps carefully.

Step 1: Payment of Application Fee

Candidates are to pay a non-refundable application fee of Twenty Thousand Naira (₦20,000) only.

Payment is to be made through the official UPTH College of Nursing Sciences Remita platform.

Applicants are strongly advised to avoid making payments through unauthorized individuals or unofficial accounts.

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Step 2: Obtain Official Receipt

After payment, candidates are required to present evidence of payment to the College Bursar.

Upon confirmation of payment, an official receipt will be issued.

This receipt will serve as proof of payment during the application process.

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Step 3: Collect Application Form

Candidates are to proceed to the office of the Registrar, College of Nursing Sciences, with their official receipt to obtain the application form.

Applicants are expected to complete the form carefully with accurate personal and academic information.

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Step 4: Submit Completed Application Form

Completed forms must be submitted alongside photocopies of relevant credentials.

Required documents include:

• O’Level certificates
• Nursing registration certificate
• Practicing licence
• Birth certificate
• Passport photographs
• Academic certificates
• Evidence of professional experience

All completed forms and supporting documents must reach the Registrar’s Office before the closing date.

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Important Dates

The institution has announced important dates applicants must take note of.

Closing Date for Application

The deadline for submission of completed application forms is:

Friday, 11th September, 2026

Candidates are advised to complete their registration early to avoid last-minute complications.

Late applications may not be accepted.

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Entrance Examination Date

The entrance examination for both programmes has been scheduled as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 18th September, 2026

Venue: College Auditorium, UPTH College of Nursing Sciences

Time: 10:00 AM Prompt

Candidates are advised to arrive early at the examination venue.

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Documents Required for Screening and Interview

Applicants are expected to come along with original copies of their credentials during the interview and examination exercise.

Documents to be presented include:

• Original O’Level result
• Original nursing certificates
• Current practicing licence
• Birth certificate
• Official receipt of application payment
• Means of identification
• Passport photographs

Failure to present original documents may affect the candidate’s eligibility.

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Accommodation and Feeding Notice

The management also issued an important notice to applicants coming from outside Rivers State.

Candidates are expected to make personal arrangements for:

• Accommodation
• Transportation
• Feeding

throughout the duration of the entrance examination and interview exercise.

The institution emphasized that it will not be responsible for providing accommodation for applicants.

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Why Nurses Should Consider UPTH for Specialist Training

The healthcare sector continues to evolve rapidly, creating increasing demand for specialist nurses with advanced clinical expertise.

Nurses who undergo specialist training often enjoy:

• Better career opportunities
• Professional recognition
• Higher employability
• Improved earning potential
• Access to leadership roles
• Opportunities for international practice

UPTH provides an excellent platform for nurses to gain these advantages through quality specialist education.

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Benefits of Specialist Nursing Programmes

Enhanced Professional Competence

Specialist programmes help nurses develop advanced practical and clinical skills that improve patient outcomes.

Increased Employment Opportunities

Hospitals and healthcare institutions often prioritize nurses with specialist qualifications.

Career Advancement

Specialized nurses are more likely to secure promotions and leadership positions.

International Relevance

Specialist nursing qualifications improve opportunities for nurses seeking international healthcare opportunities.

Improved Confidence in Clinical Practice

Advanced training equips nurses with confidence to handle complex healthcare situations.

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Growing Demand for Specialist Nurses in Nigeria

Nigeria’s healthcare sector continues to experience increasing demand for qualified healthcare professionals.

With rising health challenges, growing population, and expanding medical services, specialist nurses are now highly needed in:

• Teaching hospitals
• Federal medical centres
• Specialist hospitals
• Private healthcare institutions
• Emergency response agencies
• International healthcare systems

The demand for Accident and Emergency Nurses and Paediatric Nurses remains particularly high due to the critical nature of these healthcare areas.

This makes the UPTH Post-Basic Nursing programmes highly relevant and valuable in today’s healthcare environment.

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Advice to Prospective Applicants

Candidates interested in the programmes are encouraged to:

• Begin their application process early
• Ensure all credentials are complete
• Verify that their practicing licence is valid
• Prepare adequately for the CBT examination
• Carefully follow all instructions provided by the institution
• Avoid dealing with unofficial agents or middlemen

Applicants should also regularly monitor official communication channels for updates regarding the admission process.

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Contact Information

For further enquiries and clarification, interested candidates can contact the College of Nursing Sciences through the following phone numbers:

• +2348135539268

Applicants may also visit the College of Nursing Sciences office directly for additional guidance.

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Final Note

The commencement of admission into the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital School of Nursing Sciences Post-Basic Nursing Programmes presents another important opportunity for registered nurses seeking professional growth and specialization.

With quality training facilities, experienced instructors, and strong clinical exposure, the institution continues to maintain its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading centres for nursing education.

Interested applicants are advised to take advantage of the opportunity by ensuring they meet all admission requirements and complete their application before the deadline.

For nurses passionate about child healthcare or emergency medical response, the Paediatric Nursing and Accident & Emergency Nursing programmes offer an excellent pathway to career advancement and professional excellence.

The management of the institution wishes all applicants success throughout the admission process and encourages candidates to maintain professionalism, integrity, and dedication as they pursue higher qualifications in nursing practice.

Signed:

Registrar,
College of Nursing Sciences,
University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).