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About US

From its proud history spanning more than 35 years, Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN) is consistently recognised as a pre-eminent and distinctive public Nursing and Midwifery College in Malawi
with special commitments to academic rigor and to assuring in all of its efforts professional growth of each student. KCN prizes both the inherent values of a demanding education and the profound usefulness of learning, teaching, hands-on- experience and understanding. Through the many achievements of its staff and students, the University has continued to present cutting-edge research, inspirational teaching, innovative thinking, consultancy, outreach and advanced professional growth as its central governing principles attracting some of the greatest minds from the country and across the globe.

As a college we are committed to providing top-quality Nursing and Midwifery education, including Undergraduate, Post Basic, Post graduate and Doctoral programs in areas of critical importance to a rapidly changing world community ranging from Mental Health, Child health, Adult health, Reproductive health, Community health and health services management and leadership. These programmes provide students with a broad understanding of the scope and nature of contemporary health issues along with relevant knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional behaviour in primary health care as well as leadership and management in health care systems. Our three vibrant residential campuses (one in Lilongwe and two in Blantyre), remarkable facilities (Library, Skills Laboratory, Model Ward, Computer Laboratories) and the diversity of our co-curricular activities and support services all exist primarily to serve these educational purposes.

We train and expect our graduates to be competent, committed to service, ethical and safe nursing and midwifery practitioners able to meet the health needs of the people both in their communities and world at large. Our teaching and research is focused on the principles of quality and safety in health care and as such, courses are evidence-based underpinned by best practice guidelines and promote a person-centred approach.

We also emphasise reflection, discussion, clinical experience, research and intensive interactions
between students and faculty members. We aim to position our nursing and midwifery graduates for work at the forefront of cutting edge developments in modern health care building upon a foundation of core values for nursing and midwifery for example care and compassion. Our graduates enjoy a worldwide reputation for excellence and are highly employable undertaking diverse roles at all levels within health systems both nationally and internationally.

Kamuzu College of Nursing is also recognized as a leader in Nursing and Midwifery education that conforms to national and international standards of nursing and midwifery competence, outstanding faculties and departments with 6 Undergraduate, 8 Post Basic, 6 Masters and 3 Doctoral programmes and is affiliated with three other national colleges namely; Daeyang Luke College of Nursing, Malawi College of Health Sciences and Saint John of God College of Health Sciences. The broad scope of options vary from interdisciplinary opportunities in Nursing and Midwifery, Child Health, Adult Health, Mental Health Psychiatric Nursing to a master’s program in Reproductive Health among the many distinguished programmes offered at the college catering to the needs of a wider range of individuals and healthcare professionals continuing their professional development.

From being the only Nursing and Midwifery college offering programs at Masters and PhD level in Malawi and in SADC Region; a designated World Health Organisation collaborative learning Centre for inter-professional health education and Centre of Excellence for Midwifery; our noted alumni and distinguished scholars, we have much to be proud of in our many years of existence as a University of Malawi-renowned constituent College. In all we do, we are driven to dig deeper, push further, respond to the health needs of the nation and leverage our knowledge to enrich all human life.

We invite you to join the countless nurses and midwives throughout history who have helped contribute to improving the health and well-being of local, national and global communities.

History
Kamuzu College of Nursing is one and the largest national trainer of B.Sc., M.Sc. and PhD professionals in nursing and midwifery. The College builds on a rich, vibrant history that dates back to the 1960s. Professional nurse training in Malawi started in 1965 when the National School of Nursing was commissioned to train Registered Nurses and Midwives by the Government under the Ministry of Health. Graduates from the National School of Nursing received a Certificate in Nursing and Midwifery.

Prior to this, the few registered nurses and midwives in Malawi were trained in various parts of the world including Germany, United Kingdom, Israel and Zimbabwe.

After 14 years of its existence, the nursing and midwifery programmes were upgraded to a diploma in nursing and a University Certificate in Midwifery and the then called National School of Nursing became Kamuzu College of Nursing under the University of Malawi.

In 1991 the college introduced the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Post Basic degree programme in order to upgrade nurses who had obtained a University Diploma in Nursing and a University Certificate in Midwifery. This programme until presently has five options: Nursing Education, Community Health Nursing, Child Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery and Health Services Management.

Thereafter, a generic (baccalaureate) degree nursing programme started in 1996 which replaced the diploma programme. Fast forward to 2008, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programme was replaced by an integrated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery programme. This programme is running concurrently with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing post basic programme. Until 2008 the highest qualification obtainable at KCN in Malawi was a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

However, KCN has embarked on a major transformation to achieve prominence among leading Nursing and Midwifery in the nation and the world at large as well as meet the health needs of people and career advancement of the health professionals. So, in 2008 the college introduced its first Master’s degree in Midwifery Programme that provided clinical specialization to meet the emerging issues of our society. This programme was developed as the Malawi component of a regional programme of the East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) region with support from Commonwealth Secretariat and East, Central and Southern College of Nursing (ECSACON).

Since then, KCN has continued to advance by offering five other different Master’s programmes including Reproductive Health, Child Health, Nursing and Midwifery Education, Community Health and Adult Health Nursing as well as and Post-Doctoral degrees in Nursing, Midwifery and Inter-Professional Health Care Leadership.

The College is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and veteran’s status.

Mission, Vision and Core Values
Mission

To deliver high quality and cost effective nursing and midwifery education and other health related
programs to students and other stakeholders through teaching, research, consultancy and outreach,
advance professional growth and promote the health of the people of Malawi and beyond.

Vision

To be an academic institution providing relevant world-class education, research and services for
sustainable development of Malawi and the world.

Core Values

  1. Caring: Caring is central to the health and healing processes, and is intrinsic in the therapeutic
    nature of person-centered care. Caring is predicated upon mutual respect, and it engenders trust in
    implementing the role of the nurse in all of the settings and relationships in which nurses
    contribute to society.
  2. Integrity: All should demonstrate honesty and trustworthiness and their words and actions must be consistent with the ethical principles that guide the profession.
  3. Service: All should demonstrate a commitment to participate in organisational activities and processes that benefit the college, university, institutions, communities, and the profession in order.
  4. Diversity: All should recognise and respect human variation in the provision of education and care to individuals, families, communities, and nations.
  5. Advocacy: All should advocate for relevant health policies, programs, resources and practices to secure the highest level of education, research and care necessary for public health.
  6. Life-Long Learning: Students, faculty, staff, patients, and the community should engage in a continuous learning process in response to the current trends.
  7. Evidence: Nursing and midwifery education and practice should be based on evidence. The role of research is critical in enriching professional knowledge, practice and development of relevant health policies.
  8. Inter-professional Collaboration: Nursing and health care delivery is enhanced by inter-professional collaboration and partnership at all levels including education, practice, and research.

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