Around 100 qualified nurses across Namibia have formally requested exemption from the pre-registration evaluation process, citing delays and financial strain.

These nurses make up the final cohort of enrolled nurses who completed the bridging programme, which qualified them to register as registered nurses. The programme, now being phased out, required applicants to be registered with the Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA) and have at least three years of work experience.

The nurses argue that their diploma trainingp and clinical experience are equal to what is required by the University of Namibia.

"As former enrolled nurses who possess more than 10 years of experience and expertise, we have hands-on experience, and that equips us with the practical skills and knowledge that is more valuable, if not as equal as, the formal evaluation test," said Natasia Swartbooi, spokesperson for the group. "Nursing cannot be defined by theory; it's a practical something that is an ongoing learning process."

They say delays in the examination process are holding back their progress and careers.

"The diploma intakes of last year and the graduates of last year were also exempted from this particular test," said Yolande Wemmert. "With this being said, we urge and ask the nursing council to address these universities specifically and not include the other universities which are not directly affected."

Despite meeting all requirements, the nurses say they are unable to advance to registered nurse status.

"Our main concern is that we are already nurses; we are on the payroll; we are in the register of the nursing council," said Esmarialda //Garoes. "Having said that, with the experience that we have, we would humbly ask them to at least consider and exempt us from this test."

They have now appealed to the Ministry of Health and the National Assembly for help.

"We want our minister to intervene with this request that we are having; that's why we reached out to the level of the National Assembly so that at least they can hear us," said Kuveongarera Riruako.

The evaluation test costs about N$2,000 for the first attempt and N$1,000 for a second attempt — a financial burden many cannot afford.

The nurses are calling on the HPCNA to approve their exemption and allow them to fully serve the healthcare system without further delays.

A response from the HPCNA registrar could not be obtained by the time of broadcast.