BY JOAN NGETICH
Kenyan nurses seeking international job opportunities have received a major boost following the launch of a new programme by KenyanNurse Consultants (KNC).
The initiative aims to connect Kenyan healthcare professionals with employment opportunities in countries facing nursing shortages, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
KenyanNurse Consultants has launched a global job opportunities linkage programme aimed at connecting Kenyan nurses with international employment.
The initiative was introduced during a one-day sensitization and registration exercise at Equip Africa College in Kitale, where 159 nurses and final-year nursing students gathered to learn about career prospects abroad.
Speaking at the event, the firm's Recruitment Manager, Justice Justus, highlighted that the programme provides a structured pathway for nurses to sit for multiple licensing examinations required for international job placements.
He emphasized that nursing is a global profession, and with growing shortages in healthcare systems worldwide, the programme offers Kenyan nurses a chance to advance their careers beyond local limitations.
"Many Kenyan nurses struggle to navigate the intricate processes required to secure jobs in developed countries. Our programme provides a structured pathway to ensure that qualified nurses can successfully transition into international healthcare systems," said Mr. Justus.
The initiative guides nurses through a four-step process—preparation, examination, registration, and placement—by assisting with documentation, supporting licensing exams, facilitating regulatory registration, and connecting them to job opportunities in countries like Canada and the United States.
For many Kenyan nurses, securing employment has been a challenge despite completing their training and meeting licensing requirements, as Emmanuel Chumo, a registered nurse, expressed in his frustration.
"We pay Ksh 80,000 in registration fees and an annual Ksh 1,500 for license renewal, yet securing a job remains a major challenge," said Mr. Chumo.
Lucy Muiruri, a third-year nursing student at Equip Africa College, echoed these concerns, stating that the limited job opportunities in Kenya make the programme an essential lifeline for graduates.
"Many nurses struggle to find employment locally, so I look forward to leveraging this networking opportunity once I graduate," she said.
The initiative has also received institutional support, with Dr. Peter Njenga Njoroge, the Director of the Mt. Kenya University Kitale ODEL Center, commending the effort.
"Having access to global job markets is critical in expanding opportunities for our professionals in the medical field," he noted.