Global Health Nursing & Midwifery

Allison, Usually you get in touch with the nursing council governing practice in that country. Here is some information on Rwanda.

National Nurses and Midwives Council (NCM) Board that is charged with regulating 6,000 nurses and midwives across the country. I'm not sure whether they regulate visiting nurses. You may be required to take an exam. See other information below. Also check with their embassy in DC and/or their consulate in Boston or more likely New York.

http://www.amategeko.net/display_rubrique.php?ActDo=ShowArt&Information_ID=23...

Hope this is of help to you. Good Luck. Inge

Hi Alison,
The process for registering Rwandan nurses has just been formalized in the past 2-3yrs and a similar system for visiting nurses is a bit behind that. Until recently nurses were advised to go through the Rwandan Medical Council - the process which visiting physicians used. But since the formation of the Rwandan Nurses and Midwives Council in 2009 some of this has been shifted.
Attached is document which outlines various different scenarios which may apply to you. Page 24 may be the most useful.
Unless you have a contact in Rwanda, it may be difficult to progress with any of this process before you arrive. I suggest you carefully review that resource (any other resources you may find online re: Rwandan Medical Council and Rwandan Nurses and Midwives Council) to be sure you arrive with all the appropriate documents. I also suggest you have copies of your license and diploma notarized before you leave the US.
It will also by helpful to talk with the nurses in Ngoma about their registration process as soon as you arrive. The information they have regarding their own registration and their contacts for that will be able to provide you with direction.
I ...

Hi Alison,
The process for registering Rwandan nurses has just been formalized in the past 2-3yrs and a similar system for visiting nurses is a bit behind that. Until recently nurses were advised to go through the Rwandan Medical Council - the process which visiting physicians used. But since the formation of the Rwandan Nurses and Midwives Council in 2009 some of this has been shifted.
Attached is document which outlines various different scenarios which may apply to you. Page 24 may be the most useful.
Unless you have a contact in Rwanda, it may be difficult to progress with any of this process before you arrive. I suggest you carefully review that resource (any other resources you may find online re: Rwandan Medical Council and Rwandan Nurses and Midwives Council) to be sure you arrive with all the appropriate documents. I also suggest you have copies of your license and diploma notarized before you leave the US.
It will also by helpful to talk with the nurses in Ngoma about their registration process as soon as you arrive. The information they have regarding their own registration and their contacts for that will be able to provide you with direction.
I'm happy to help with other questions if you have them -

Emily Hall FNP, MPH

Hi Alison. Julie Kimonyo is the Registrar of the Nurses and Midwives Council
. She is lovely and I am sure she will give you the correct advice. Good luck!

Anne Sliney

hi Anne, is Julie in the US or Rwanda - I live in the UK
many thanks

Hi Alison,
Julie is in Rwanda. If possible, bring original qualifications with you as well as certified copies and leave certified copies at home in UK.. They have been very particular about this in the past.

It is not an expensive or difficult process here but it is unlikely that you will be able to complete the process from the UK. The process only puts you on the register. The actual licensing procedures are not yet in place, so you won't receive a license just a receipt. My receipt does not even say where it came from which caused a difficulty for me when I was renewing my licence at home in Australia this last time. Luckily I had a letter of service.

I strongly recommend you maintain your licensure at home in the UK just from a professional perspective as much as anything else.
Good luck
Di

--
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.
Aristotle

Dianne G. Longson
Tel.: +250 788507964 (mobile)

hi thsanks guys - I have tried to email Julie but it has been returned!!! despite copy n pasting! and other recent emails??
thanks

Alison - how did it go/is it going? I just confirmed that I'll be spending a year in Rwanda at Kibogora Hospital in the SW and helping them start their nursing diploma curriculum at the new Kibogora University expected to open shortly. I followed the message trail in response to your request for info last year and wanted to know if you hit any snags along the way. Hope all is well and your experience has been/is fabulous!

Since a university is being started, why not start the nursing program as part of the Kibogora University? Please consider starting in the University. This will make a stronger program as well as help the University be stronger. University education for nursing is becoming the standard around the world, please don't start a diploma program and then have to fight the battle at a later time to change to a baccalaureate program.

--------------------------------------------------------
Ruth Barnard
Haiti Nursing Foundation
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-3008
www.haitinursing.org
Supporting advancement of nursing in Haiti

Ruth - I agree that a university degree would be ideal way to start, but this is beyond my control. It is part of the Kibogora University, and their plan, in conjunction with the current priorities of the Rwandan government, is to start with the 2 year diploma, then add the 3 year advanced diploma, and ultimately the collegiate degree. I am committed to helping them start where they are, and I will do my best to contribute to an understanding of the importance of professional nursing. Thanks for your reflections.

Janet,

A large and comprehensive nursing and midwifery education program is being launched in Rwanda this year. The MoH, in collaboration with 6 US Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, is looking for 42 full-time nursing and midwifery faculty and nurse/midwife mentors. The faculty will arrive in August and be placed at Kigali Health Institute, the 5 government schools of nursing and midwifery, and many of the teaching hospitals. It is very important that the Kibogora project is aligned with this program. I'd be happy to discuss this with you. You can e-mail me at .
Anyone interested in applying for one of the positions in Rwanda - I have attached the Terms of Reference. Please contact us at

Dr. Barnard:
This is definitely a sound approach and the benefits are long-term lasting!

--


Monique Germain,MS, RN
Assistant Professor & Advisor
Department of Nursing
College of Health Sciences
Chicago State University

email:
Phone:773-995-3924
Fax: 773-821-2438