This is a detailed guide for Perioperative Nursing in Nigeria and how any registered nurse in Nigeria can become a theatre nurse, the training school and salary.
Before a surgeon makes a single incision in the theatre, a perioperative nurse has to prepare the theatre, check the instrument count, position the patient, and verify every detail of the sterile field. During the procedure, they are at the table, anticipating, responding, and maintaining the environment that makes the operation possible.
After the patient leaves the table, Perioperative Nurses are in recovery, monitoring the return from anaesthesia and managing the immediate post-operative period.
The National Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (NSDNM), launched by the Nigerian government in October 2025, lists perioperative nursing as one of the three priority specialisations for workforce development alongside nurse anaesthesia and occupational health. This is a policy signal with direct career consequences: hospitals are being pushed to hire certified perioperative nurses, federal nursing grants are being directed toward perioperative training programmes, and specialist nurses completing post-basic certification are being placed at CONHESS Grade Level 10 immediately upon qualification, a significant salary and career advantage.
What Perioperative Nursing Actually Is and What It Is Not
The term perioperative refers to the entire surgical experience: pre-operative (before surgery), intra-operative (during surgery), and post-operative (after surgery). A perioperative nurse, also called a theatre nurse, is responsible for patient care across all three phases.
This is different from what many Nigerian nurses think of when they hear “theatre nurse.” Working in a theatre without a post-basic perioperative nursing certificate means you are a general nurse seconded to the theatre environment. A Registered Perioperative Nurse (RPON), the formal NMCN designation, is a specialist who has completed accredited training and passed the NMCN licensing examination specifically in perioperative care. The two are not interchangeable in hospitals that properly implement NMCN staffing guidelines.
Understanding the three sub-roles within perioperative nursing is essential before you enter training:
The Scrub Nurse (Instrument Nurse)
The scrub nurse works in the sterile field, directly beside the operating table, gowned and gloved, handling instruments and supplies used during the procedure. Their responsibilities include:
- Preparing the sterile instrument trolley before the incision
- Passing instruments to the surgeon and surgical team in correct sequence
- Maintaining the integrity of the sterile field throughout the procedure
- Performing and documenting instrument, sponge, and needle counts at the start, during wound closure, and at wound closure completion
- Anticipating the surgeon’s needs based on the progression of the procedure
- Handling specimens and maintaining chain of custody documentation
The scrub nurse must have comprehensive knowledge of surgical procedures, instrument names and functions, and surgical anatomy, not to perform surgery, but to function as the surgeon’s most reliable intraoperative partner.
The Circulating Nurse
The circulating nurse works outside the sterile field but is equally critical. They are the link between the sterile and non-sterile environments and manage the broader theatre environment throughout the procedure. Their responsibilities include:
- Completing the pre-operative patient assessment and WHO Surgical Safety Checklist
- Positioning the patient on the operating table
- Opening sterile supplies to the scrub nurse without contaminating the sterile field
- Managing the theatre environment, lighting, equipment, temperature, traffic control
- Documenting all aspects of intraoperative care in the patient’s surgical record
- Coordinating with anaesthesia, radiology, and other departments during the procedure
- Managing specimens and drugs circulated into the sterile field
- Leading the post-operative care handover to the recovery team
The Recovery Nurse (Post-Anaesthesia Care Nurse)
The recovery nurse receives patients directly from the operating table and manages the immediate post-anaesthesia phase, the period of highest risk for respiratory complications, haemodynamic instability, pain, and nausea. Recovery nursing requires confident airway management skills, cardiovascular monitoring, and the ability to recognise and escalate deterioration rapidly.
In well-staffed hospitals, these three roles are filled by separately trained perioperative nurses working as a team. In many Nigerian hospitals, particularly secondary hospitals and federal medical centres, a single certified perioperative nurse will rotate across all three functions. This is one of the reasons the RPON qualification is so demanding: it prepares you for the full scope.
Why Perioperative Nursing in Nigeria Is the Right Speciality to Pursue
Beyond the NSDNM priority designation, there are four concrete reasons why perioperative nursing makes strategic career sense for Nigerian nurses in 2026.
1). The surgical backlog is enormous. Nigeria has an estimated 1.7 million surgical cases backlogged across its public health system, a figure that grew significantly during the COVID-19 period and has not been fully addressed. As hospitals work through this backlog and as surgical infrastructure expands under the Renewed Hope Health Agenda, demand for perioperative nurses at every level of the health system is accelerating.
2). Operating theatres in private hospitals pay a premium. Theatre-based nursing in high-end private hospitals, Reddington, Eko Hospital, St. Nicholas, Lagoon Hospitals, commands some of the highest nursing salaries in Nigeria’s private sector. A certified perioperative nurse in a premium Lagos private hospital earns significantly more than a general ward nurse at the same facility, and the differential increases with experience.
3). Gulf hospitals specifically recruit perioperative specialists. Saudi Arabia’s SCFHS classifies Nigerian nurses with post-basic perioperative certification as Specialist Nurses rather than general Registered Nurses, a classification tier that commands SAR 8,000–13,000 per month (approximately ₦3.2–5.2 million) rather than the SAR 6,000–10,000 for general RNs. UAE hospitals similarly pay a perioperative premium. Your post-basic certificate is worth more internationally than in Nigeria.
4). The speciality directly complements nurse anaesthesia. Perioperative nursing and nurse anaesthesia share a clinical environment, and many nurses who train in perioperative nursing subsequently pursue nurse anaesthesia, either because their theatre exposure prepares them deeply for anaesthesia work, or because some post-basic anaesthesia programmes accept perioperative experience as qualifying clinical background. The two specialities form a natural career progression.
Entry Requirements to study Perioperative Nursing
Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing in Nigeria is open to registered nurses. Entry requirements are consistent across all NMCN-accredited schools and mirror the general post-basic nursing framework:
Academic Requirements
- Five O-level credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, obtained in not more than two sittings (WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB)
Professional Registration
- Valid Registered Nurse (RN) licence from the NMCN with a current and active Professional Update Form (PUF)
- Expired PUF is an automatic disqualification, renew at https://myportal.nmcn.gov.ng before applying
Post-Registration Clinical Experience
- A minimum of one year of post-registration clinical experience in a hospital setting
- Theatre or surgical ward experience is an advantage but not a universal requirement, general clinical experience is accepted by most schools
- Some programmes, particularly UCH Ibadan, specify at least one year as a General Nurse specifically
Institutional Release and Sponsorship
- Full written approval for one full year of release from your employing institution
- Sponsorship letter from your employer, or documented evidence of self-sponsorship capacity
- Government-employed nurses must apply for formal study leave at least six months before the intake date
Entrance Examination
- All NMCN-accredited perioperative nursing schools conduct a written and oral pre-admission examination
- Written papers typically test anatomy and physiology, surgical nursing knowledge, pharmacology, and general clinical reasoning
- Prepare specifically: revise your surgical anatomy, wound healing physiology, and aseptic technique before the examination date
NMCN-Accredited Schools of Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing in Nigeria
The following institutions hold NMCN accreditation for Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing as of 2025–2026. Always verify current accreditation status at https://nmcn.gov.ng/approved-schools/ before paying any application fee.
1. University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State
UCH Ibadan’s Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing School is one of the oldest and most respected in Nigeria, affiliated with the country’s oldest teaching hospital. The programme runs for one year and leads to licensing by the NMCN as a Registered Perioperative Nurse (RPON).
The programme is specifically designed to equip Registered Nurses with the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills required for providing safe, effective, and acceptable perioperative care across the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative phases. Clinical training is conducted in UCH’s multiple operating theatres, one of the highest-volume surgical programmes in West Africa, covering general surgery, orthopaedics, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, paediatric surgery, and obstetric surgery.
- Programme duration: 1 year (12 months)
- Qualification: Registered Perioperative Nurse (RPON), NMCN-licensed
- Entry requirement: RN with current NMCN licence; minimum 1 year post-qualification experience as a General Nurse; 5 O-level credits; full-year employer release
- Intake: Annual; forms typically released between September and November
- Application: Monitor UCH official website and O3Schools: https://www.uchibadan.gov.ng
- Contact: UCH School of Post-Basic Nursing Studies, Queen Elizabeth Road, Ibadan, Oyo State
2. University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) – Enugu, Enugu State
UNTH’s Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing School has one of the longest operational histories of any theatre nursing training programme in Nigeria. The programme formally commenced on 15th March 1988 with an initial intake of 26 students, making it over three and a half decades of continuous training in perioperative nursing. The school changed its name from “Theatre Nursing School” to “School of Perioperative Nursing” in February 1991, reflecting the broader scope of the specialty.
UNTH’s programme includes out-of-station clinical postings to the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, Park Lane Hospital, and district hospitals, giving trainees exposure to different surgical environments beyond the main teaching hospital.
- Programme duration: 12–18 months
- Qualification: RPON, NMCN-licensed
- Entry requirement: RN with current NMCN licence; 1–2 years post-registration experience; O-level credits; written and oral entrance examination; employer sponsorship or release
- Intake: Annual; entrance examination dates published on UNTH portal
- Application: https://schools.unthportal.org/pbpons/
- Contact: UNTH Perioperative Nursing School, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State
3. Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) – Lagos, Lagos State
LUTH’s Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing programme is confirmed among the major teaching hospital perioperative training schools in Nigeria. LUTH’s surgical volume, one of the highest in West Africa, handling complex general surgery, vascular, cardiothoracic, trauma, and transplant cases, provides perioperative nurse trainees with exceptionally diverse and demanding clinical exposure. Graduating from LUTH’s perioperative programme is widely recognised as prestigious by private hospitals in Lagos, many of which specifically seek LUTH-trained theatre nurses.
- Programme duration: 12 months
- Qualification: RPON, NMCN-licensed
- Entry requirement: RN with current NMCN licence; post-registration experience; O-level credits; written and oral examination; sponsorship/releaseApplication: Monitor LUTH official vacancies at https://www.luth.gov.ng and nursing platforms for annual intake announcements
4. Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) – Zaria, Kaduna State
ABUTH’s perioperative nursing programme serves as the primary training centre for theatre nurses in Northern Nigeria. As Nigeria’s largest teaching hospital by bed capacity, ABUTH’s operating theatres handle a comprehensive range of surgical cases including trauma surgery, general surgery, orthopaedics, urology, and obstetric emergencies — making it an ideal training environment for nurses intending to work in Northern states where perioperative specialists are in particularly short supply.
- Programme duration: 12 months
- Qualification: RPON, NMCN-licensed
- Entry requirement: Standard NMCN post-basic requirements; entrance examination
- Contact: College of Nursing Sciences, ABUTH, Zaria, Kaduna State, https://www.abuth.gov.ng
5. University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) – Benin City, Edo State
UBTH offers a Post-Basic Nursing Studies programme through its School of Post-Basic Nursing which includes perioperative nursing. The hospital serves as the primary referral centre for the South-South region and its operating theatres offer training in general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, and obstetrics.
- Programme duration: 12 monthsApplication: Monitor UBTH official vacancy announcements at https://www.ubth.org and o3schools.com for form release dates
6. Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) – Ile-Ife, Osun State
OAUTHC, which spans clinical campuses at Ile-Ife and Ilesa, offers post-basic nursing programmes including perioperative training. The complex handles a wide range of surgical specialities including cardiac, orthopaedic, and obstetric surgery, providing perioperative trainees with multi-setting exposure.
- Application: Monitor OAUTHC official channels and admissions announcements at https://www.oauthc.com
Reminder: Always verify current NMCN accreditation status before applying to any institution. Download the approved schools list from https://nmcn.gov.ng/approved-schools/ and confirm the specific programme holds Full Accreditation, not provisional, not embargoed. Provisional accreditation schools are actively advertising forms and should be confirmed with NMCN directly before payment.
Programme Structure: What Perioperative Nurse Training Covers
The NMCN curriculum for Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing is a one-year, full-time programme integrating theoretical instruction with supervised clinical practice. It cannot be completed part-time or alongside regular nursing shifts. Key subject areas include:
Theoretical Component
- Surgical anatomy and physiology, relevant anatomy by surgical site; wound healing; physiological responses to surgery and anaesthesia
- Principles of asepsis and sterile technique, the science and practice of surgical sterility; microbiology of the theatre environment; sterilisation and disinfection methods
- Anaesthesia principles for perioperative nurses, the anaesthesia team structure; airway management fundamentals; monitoring during anaesthesia; the nurse’s role in supporting anaesthesia
- Surgical instrumentation, identification, use, care, and maintenance of all categories of surgical instruments (general, orthopaedic, cardiovascular, gynaecological, neurosurgical, laparoscopic)
- Patient positioning, surgical positions, pressure area prevention, nerve injury prevention during positioning
- Electrosurgery and surgical energy devices, safe use of diathermy, laser, and ultrasonic energy devices in the operating theatre
- Scrub nurse technique, draping, instrument handling, counting protocols, sterile field management
- Circulating nurse practice, documentation, specimen handling, patient advocacy, WHO Surgical Safety Checklist implementation
- Peri-anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic care, recovery room nursing, airway management post-anaesthesia, pain assessment and management, nausea and vomiting management
- Pharmacology in perioperative care, anaesthetic agents, muscle relaxants, opioids, anticoagulants, antibiotics, emergency drugs relevant to the theatre environment
- Infection prevention and control in the theatre, traffic patterns, air exchange, personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning protocols
- Legal and ethical issues in perioperative nursing, consent, documentation, patient rights, professional accountability in the operating theatre
- Theatre management, scheduling, equipment procurement and maintenance, staffing, quality improvement
Clinical Component
Students rotate through major theatre suites, general surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecology and obstetrics, paediatric surgery, urology, ENT, ophthalmology, and neurosurgery where available, accumulating supervised clinical hours in scrub, circulating, and recovery roles. Clinical competency is assessed through direct observation, skills demonstrations, and case log documentation.
NMCN Examination
At the end of the programme, candidates sit the NMCN Post-Basic Final Qualifying Examination in Perioperative Nursing, which includes a written component and a practical clinical examination. Passing this examination and completing NMCN specialist registration confers the designation Registered Perioperative Nurse (RPON).
Register your RPON qualification through the NMCN portal: https://myportal.nmcn.gov.ng
Salary: What Perioperative Nurses Earn in Nigeria in 2026
Perioperative nursing certification delivers a clear salary premium over general ward nursing at every level of the healthcare system.
Public Sector (CONHESS Scale)
Under the NSDNM 2025–2030 framework, nurses completing post-basic specialist certification in priority specialties, including perioperative nursing, are to be placed at CONHESS Grade Level 10 immediately upon qualification. This applies to federal government institutions.
| CONHESS Level | Who It Applies To | Estimated Monthly Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| CONHESS 10 | Entry-level certified RPON | ₦200,000 – ₦280,000 |
| CONHESS 11–12 | Experienced RPONs (3–5 years) | ₦280,000 – ₦380,000 |
| CONHESS 13–14 | Senior/charge theatre nurses | ₦380,000 – ₦520,000 |
Theatre allowances, instrument management allowances, and hazard pay add further to the base figure. A mid-career certified perioperative nurse in a federal teaching hospital can realistically earn total monthly compensation exceeding ₦400,000–₦600,000 when all applicable allowances are included.
Private Sector
| Setting | Estimated Monthly Pay |
|---|---|
| Top-tier private hospitals (Lagos/Abuja) | ₦250,000 – ₦550,000 |
| Mid-range private surgical hospitals | ₦180,000 – ₦350,000 |
| Oil and gas sector (industrial surgical teams) | ₦400,000 – ₦1,000,000+ |
| Mission hospitals | ₦150,000 – ₦280,000 |
The oil and gas sector, specifically the medical teams supporting surgical facilities on offshore platforms and onshore installations in the Niger Delta, remains the highest-paying environment for certified theatre nurses in Nigeria, with comprehensive benefits including free accommodation, feeding, and hazard allowances stacked on top of base pay.
International Career Pathways for Nigerian Perioperative Nurses
Saudi Arabia and UAE
Saudi Arabia’s SCFHS classifies Nigerian nurses holding an NMCN-registered post-basic perioperative certificate as Specialist Nurses, one tier above general Registered Nurse. This classification difference is financially significant:
- General RN monthly salary: SAR 6,000–10,000 (₦2.4–4.0 million)
- Specialist Nurse (RPON) monthly salary: SAR 8,000–13,000 (₦3.2–5.2 million)
Saudi Arabia and UAE hospitals actively recruit perioperative specialists, scrub nurses, circulating nurses, and instrument technicians are in consistent demand across both countries’ expanding surgical sectors. The Prometric/SNLE exam requirements and SCFHS classification process are the same as for all Nigerian nurses applying to the Gulf. Refer to our comprehensive Gulf nursing guide at https://africannurses.com/nursing-saudi-arabia-uae-nigerian-nurses-2026/ for the full step-by-step process.
United Kingdom (NHS)
NHS operating theatre nurses are graded at Band 5 on entry and advance to Band 6 and 7 with perioperative specialisation and experience. Nigerian RPONs who complete the NMC CBT and OSCE pathway can apply directly to theatre nursing positions. The NMC’s skills gap analysis typically assesses perioperative qualifications favourably, and many NHS Trusts actively recruit internationally qualified theatre nurses for scrub and circulating roles.
Australia
The Australian healthcare system has significant perioperative nurse shortages, particularly in regional and rural hospitals. A Nigerian RPON who completes AHPRA’s Outcome-Based Assessment (NCLEX-RN + OSCE) and holds a positive ANMAC skills assessment is directly eligible for perioperative nursing positions. Australian theatre nurse salaries range from AUD 82,000–110,000, with specialist perioperative roles commanding the higher end.
The Career Ladder: From Theatre Nurse to Senior Perioperative Practitioner
Perioperative nursing offers a clearly defined career progression that many Nigerian nurses are not aware of when they enter the speciality:
Registered Perioperative Nurse (RPON): Entry-level post-basic certification, CONHESS 10 in federal institutions. Competent in all three intraoperative roles (scrub, circulating, recovery).
Senior Theatre Nurse / Theatre Team Leader: 3–5 years post-RPON experience. Leads a surgical team for specific speciality procedures. CONHESS 11–12. Responsible for junior staff orientation and theatre efficiency.
Theatre Sister / Charge Nurse: Heads a theatre suite or specific surgical speciality (orthopaedics, cardiothoracic, laparoscopy). CONHESS 12–13. Manages scheduling, equipment, staff allocation, and quality indicators for the unit.
Theatre Nurse Manager / Principal Nursing Officer: Oversees multiple theatres or an entire surgical block. CONHESS 13–14. Administrative and clinical leadership. Typically requires additional management training or qualifications.
Perioperative Nursing Educator: A growing pathway for experienced RPONs moving into post-basic education. Posts as nurse tutor or clinical instructor in NMCN-accredited perioperative schools require RPN experience plus educational qualification.
Perioperative Nursing vs. Nurse Anaesthesia: How They Relate
This is the question Nigerian theatre nurses ask most frequently, and the answer is more nuanced than most articles acknowledge.
Perioperative nursing and nurse anaesthesia occupy the same clinical space, the operating theatre, but serve distinct functions. Perioperative nursing focuses on the surgical environment, the patient journey, and the intraoperative nursing team. Nurse anaesthesia focuses specifically on anaesthesia administration and peri-anaesthetic patient monitoring.
The two specialities relate in three practical ways in Nigeria:
Many nurse anaesthesia programmes recognise perioperative experience. Candidates applying to post-basic nurse anaesthesia schools with prior RPON certification and theatre nursing experience are generally considered stronger applicants because of their existing intraoperative clinical foundation.
In under-resourced hospitals, they overlap. In district hospitals and secondary care facilities without dedicated anaesthetic nurses, the perioperative nurse may assist with certain aspects of anaesthesia monitoring under physician direction. This reinforces the value of understanding both specialities, even if your formal certification is in one.
They serve different international markets differently. Gulf hospitals specifically advertise separate vacancies for scrub nurses (perioperative) and nurse anaesthetists, these are distinct roles with distinct pay scales. UK NHS theatres similarly employ separate scrub practitioners and anaesthetic nurses. Understanding the difference protects you from misrepresented job offers.
If you are interested in nurse anaesthesia as your primary speciality, read our dedicated guide at https://africannurses.com/nurse-anaesthetist-nigeria-career-guide-2026/.
FAQ
What is the difference between a theatre nurse and a perioperative nurse in Nigeria? The terms are used interchangeably in everyday clinical conversation, but there is a formal distinction. “Theatre nurse” is informal. “Registered Perioperative Nurse (RPON)” is the NMCN-designated specialist title conferred after completing an accredited post-basic perioperative nursing programme and passing the NMCN Final Qualifying Examination. An RPON has formal specialist registration; a general nurse working in theatre without post-basic certification does not.
How long is post-basic perioperative nursing training in Nigeria? The standard duration is 12 months (one year) at most NMCN-accredited institutions including UCH Ibadan, LUTH, ABUTH, and UBTH. UNTH Enugu’s programme runs 12–18 months. All programmes are full-time and require complete institutional release, they cannot be completed part-time.
Do I need a BNSc degree to apply, or is a diploma RN sufficient? A diploma RN from an NMCN-accredited School of Nursing is fully eligible for post-basic perioperative nursing. Entry is based on your RN registration and post-qualification clinical experience, not the level of your initial qualification. A BNSc is not required, though it remains advantageous for international migration purposes.
What is an RPON and how is it different from a general nurse working in theatre? RPON, Registered Perioperative Nurse, is the formal NMCN specialist designation for nurses who have completed the post-basic perioperative nursing programme and passed the NMCN licensing examination. A general RN assigned to a theatre suite is a ward nurse in a theatre environment. An RPON is a credentialled specialist. The distinction matters for grade level placement, salary, and international recognition.
How much does a theatre nurse earn in Nigeria in 2026? Certified perioperative nurses (RPONs) in federal teaching hospitals earn between ₦200,000 and ₦280,000 per month in basic salary at entry (CONHESS 10), rising to ₦380,000–₦520,000 at senior levels. Top-tier private hospitals in Lagos and Abuja pay ₦250,000–₦550,000 for certified theatre nurses. Oil and gas sector surgical teams pay ₦400,000–₦1,000,000+ with full benefits.
Is post-basic perioperative nursing recognised in Saudi Arabia and the UAE? Yes. Saudi Arabia’s SCFHS classifies Nigerian nurses with NMCN-registered post-basic perioperative certificates as Specialist Nurses, which commands a higher salary band (SAR 8,000–13,000 per month) than the general Registered Nurse classification (SAR 6,000–10,000). UAE hospitals similarly recognise perioperative specialisation in their hiring and classification processes.
Can I transition from perioperative nursing to nurse anaesthesia? Yes, and this is a natural progression many Nigerian nurses make. Theatre experience as an RPON is viewed favourably by nurse anaesthesia admission committees. The intraoperative exposure, familiarity with the surgical environment, instrument knowledge, and understanding of anaesthetic agents gained in perioperative training all directly support nurse anaesthesia training. See our nurse anaesthesia guide for full entry requirements.
Which school of perioperative nursing is best in Nigeria? UCH Ibadan and UNTH Enugu have the longest operational histories and strongest reputations based on NMCN examination pass rates and graduate employment outcomes. LUTH Lagos is highly regarded by private sector employers in Lagos specifically due to its surgical volume and complexity. ABUTH Zaria is the premier institution for nurses based in or targeting employment in Northern Nigeria. All are NMCN-accredited and produce graduates who go on to practise both locally and internationally.
Wrapping up: Perioperative Nursing in Nigeria
Perioperative nursing is the speciality that sits at the centre of Nigeria’s surgical crisis and is also, for the Nigerian nurse who pursues it, one of the clearest paths to specialist recognition, higher earnings, and international career mobility.
The NSDNM 2025–2030 has named it a national priority. The surgical backlog has made it an urgent workforce need. Gulf hospitals are offering specialist-tier salaries for RPONs that general nurses cannot access. And the NHS and Australian healthcare systems are actively recruiting theatre nurses from Africa.
The training is a full year of your life. It is demanding, technical, and does not accommodate shortcuts. But a Registered Perioperative Nurse in 2026 is not competing for the same positions as a general ward nurse. They are in a different professional category entirely, and the career it opens reflects that.
References and further reading:
- Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) – Approved Schools List: https://nmcn.gov.ng/approved-schools/
- NMCN – Programme and Requirements: https://nmcn.gov.ng/program-and-requirements/
- NMCN Specialist Registration Portal: https://myportal.nmcn.gov.ng
- UNTH Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing School: https://schools.unthportal.org/pbpons/
- UNTH Peri-Operative Nursing School History: https://unth.edu.ng/peri-operative-nursing-school/
- UCH Ibadan Post-Basic Perioperative Nursing Course Admissions: https://www.uchibadan.gov.ng
- UCH Ibadan RPON Admission Information (o3schools): https://o3schools.com/uch-ibadan-post-basic-perioperative-nursing-course-admission-form/
- ABUTH Zaria – Nursing Services: https://www.abuth.gov.ng
- UBTH Post-Basic Nursing Studies: https://www.ubth.org
- Profolio Nigeria – Best Certifications for Nurses 2026: https://www.profolio.ng/nurse/best-certifications
- Profolio Nigeria – Nurse Salary Guide 2026: https://www.profolio.ng/nurse/salary-guide
- NSDNM 2025–2030 National Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery: https://nmcn.gov.ng
