KWNC: a Leading Institution for Nursing Professionals

[Sponsored article] The shortage of nurses is a global challenge including Macao. Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC), founded in 1923, is therefore taking a big responsibility in nurturing more quality professionals in the field.

Alice Tsang Sau Mui, Executive Officer of Education Department and Associate Professor of KWNC, said, “There are nurse shortages worldwide and Macao is no exception. As the first local nursing institution, we embrace nursing education as our mission as well as social responsibility. We believe in the quality of our College and programmes. Since 1997, we have asked prestigious pundits from all over the world to assess our programmes, and they have consistently been highly acclaimed.

In 2015, we even invited the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) to conduct institutional quality audit (IQA). QAA issued confidence ratings and good practice certificates to recognize the high academic standards, extensive learning support for students, employment rates and the continuing education of graduates. While KWNC is widely recognised for its academic level and syllabus on par with international standards, there are different requirements for nurse registration across the world. What makes us stand out is our clinical placement of more than 1,600 hours, matching the minimum requirement which makes our graduates met the application criteria to sit for licensing examination for a registered nurse in Hong Kong. Our graduates are, therefore, capable of working outside Macao as their qualifications can meet the professional requirements for registration in many places.”

Wai I Ng, Programme Leader (BSN) and Assistant Professor, added, “We have been looking further in recent years to enrol students from outside Macao and attract people who wish to have a career shift. Those working in elderly care, healthcare, health education, health services and other similar industries tend to feel the need for continuing education, which helps increase their professional recognition as well as competitiveness. These kinds of applicants, provided they have relevant experience, will gain extra points for selection. We hope more young people will pursue a nursing career given the increased social status and salaries enjoyed by local nurses nowadays.”