Good news for Kenyan Nurses Wanting to work in the US

A big sigh of relief for KMTC graduates

Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) graduates aspiring to work in the United States (U.S.) can now breathe a sigh of relief as a National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) testing centre opens in Kenya.

The NCLEX is a standardized test that nurses must pass to obtain licensure for practicing nursing in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

During the launch of the Pearson Vue Test Centre on Tuesday (January 16, 2024) in Nairobi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, expressed that establishing the centre is a significant milestone for the government.

He emphasized the government’s commitment to boosting the economy by expanding diaspora remittances through the exportation of workers.

“The establishment of the centre will serve as a catalyst for economic growth. By creating diaspora jobs for Kenyan healthcare professionals, we anticipate a significant increase in remittances, contributing directly to our economic prosperity,” he added.

The NCLEX will be administered by Pearson VUE, a global test administration company that provides testing services for various professional licensure exams.

Hon. Mudavadi highlighted that Kenyan healthcare professionals working abroad through this initiative will gain invaluable experiences, which will later be repatriated to enhance Kenya’s healthcare sector.
He also pledged to work closely with Pearson VUE to ensure seamless operations in the country.

Health Cabinet Secretary Ms. Wafula. S. Nakhumicha thanked KMTC for ensuring the establishment of NCLEX-RN in the country, noting that the initiative will help absorb thousands of nurses graduating from College every year.

She emphasized that establishing the centre in Nairobi will ease the burden of traveling abroad to undertake the test.

Hon. Mohamud Noor, a House of Representatives of Minnesota member, thanked the government for welcoming the project and revealed that the U.S. has numerous job opportunities for Kenyan healthcare workers.

He disclosed ongoing discussions with the U.S. government to remove other barriers, including English language proficiency tests like the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

The event was attended by Principal Secretaries Ms. Mary Muriuki (State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards), Mr. Shadrack Mwadime (State Department for Labour and Skills Development), Dr. Esther Muoria (State Department for Technical, Vocational, Education, and Training), Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, KMTC Board Chairperson Mr. Joseah K. Cheruiyot, CEO Dr. Kelly Oluoch, among others.

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