Soknown:
I have to congratulate each and everyone on this thread for being here on the last step of 2020, many thanks for making this tread what it is.

I appreciate your input, all the information shared and personal experience expressed.

Let’s continue to build ourselves and each other in the new year.

For those looking towards one great thing or the other, continue to water it. 'With time a fertile egg will walk'. You are a living example of this.

Happy Holidays, Happy new year, Happy new you.

CC: Jesmond3945, bamdexfarms, Mizwisdom, Hadampson, Olalekank, NiklauseFred, Collinsuchendu, Chukseze, Faheez, iruosonobrugwhe, Daltguy, Sainthillary, DisGuy, Flexvilla, BennyDGreat, Phockallmods, fjigga, Justhenrii, promisechild, justwise, uptimum123, Mindlog, Focusmind, chuksobiora, boldx, uzomachibyk3232, Adayoung, molbic, Silenthinker, xzellentgraphic, Salford1, Tinyemeka, Yemisih, chuchu27, Luchiano54, Jaycew, ambo1, Hunnybee, themaestro08, Ojurongbe1, adrenaline02, okeyben10, neloyah, Bonjovi13, haiti007, Boydimples, prontoz, Nkepedia, Smoke47, ugodignity111, Smartmed, valcorp, Zagorakis, Nursetemmy, EbonyCy, Richdee1, Jonnywayne, rinzylee, ziziangel, Omonihobae, Baybie3, capitalbase, slimgold2019, Hubbysluv,Cyrilade01, lillaowow, Arhmiee, ecstasy29, famzynet, mumsgirl27, Elektra008, DMPaulSr, Oloniyan, Abdul111, ThelazyBuddha, mumayo, Iyiman, Vhugnl, Cmanforall, Scholar212, Profitfocused, Humancall, Splendblex, Godlove087, projectanatot, mimilyrics, sommychekwas, oyetunjibaba, symbae, Heart1234, Esthrosevz, Obynowest12, Ace2013, Punstar, horjey, mgbadike80, drnoel, All4good, Fidelismaria, Emperornice, eyoiba, ashatoda, igbamatibi.

I really do feel honored for the mention. Keep up the good work you are doing and a happy new year to you too

Soknown:

Happy Holidays, Happy new year, Happy new you.

Keep soaring. You are destined for greater exploits, to the Glory of God.

Happy and prosperous 2021 to you and all contributors to this inspiring thread.

Thanks so much and happy new yr everyone

Soknown:
I have to congratulate each and everyone on this thread for being here on the last step of 2020, many thanks for making this tread what it is.

I appreciate your input, all the information shared and personal experience expressed.

Let’s continue to build ourselves and each other in the new year.

For those looking towards one great thing or the other, continue to water it. 'With time a fertile egg will walk'. You are a living example of this.

Happy Holidays, Happy new year, Happy new you.

CC: Jesmond3945, bamdexfarms, Mizwisdom, Hadampson, Olalekank, NiklauseFred, Collinsuchendu, Chukseze, Faheez, iruosonobrugwhe, Daltguy, Sainthillary, DisGuy, Flexvilla, BennyDGreat, Phockallmods, fjigga, Justhenrii, promisechild, justwise, uptimum123, Mindlog, Focusmind, chuksobiora, boldx, uzomachibyk3232, Adayoung, molbic, Silenthinker, xzellentgraphic, Salford1, Tinyemeka, Yemisih, chuchu27, Luchiano54, Jaycew, ambo1, Hunnybee, themaestro08, Ojurongbe1, adrenaline02, okeyben10, neloyah, Bonjovi13, haiti007, Boydimples, prontoz, Nkepedia, Smoke47, ugodignity111, Smartmed, valcorp, Zagorakis, Nursetemmy, EbonyCy, Richdee1, Jonnywayne, rinzylee, ziziangel, Omonihobae, Baybie3, capitalbase, slimgold2019, Hubbysluv,Cyrilade01, lillaowow, Arhmiee, ecstasy29, famzynet, mumsgirl27, Elektra008, DMPaulSr, Oloniyan, Abdul111, ThelazyBuddha, mumayo, Iyiman, Vhugnl, Cmanforall, Scholar212, Profitfocused, Humancall, Splendblex, Godlove087, projectanatot, mimilyrics, sommychekwas, oyetunjibaba, symbae, Heart1234, Esthrosevz, Obynowest12, Ace2013, Punstar, horjey, mgbadike80, drnoel, All4good, Fidelismaria, Emperornice, eyoiba, ashatoda, igbamatibi.

Soknown:
Continuation

Wow! Thank you bro, I really appreciate for giving answers to those questions. May God bless you sir.

Soknown:
Continuation

The postgraduate diploma at Lasu and cleno ultrasound is about how year(s)?

Thank so much sir.

Soknown:
L

Can we have a glimpse of what the Supporting Information section looks like, sir?

Please I need some piece of advice concerning the next step to take. I'll be graduating from Nursing School by May and I'm weighing my options;
- Getting my bsc through direct entry. (4 years)
- Acquiring my RM certificate through post basic midwifery ( 1yr 6mths) and use the time to get prepared financially for the transition process.
Honestly, the thought of spending for another 4 years in a Nigerian university is terrifying, considering the hassles attached to it.
Please, I need a second opinion. Your response will be really appreciated.

BlackNostra:
Please I need some piece of advice concerning the next step to take. I'll be graduating from Nursing School by May and I'm weighing my options;
- Getting my bsc through direct entry. (4 years)
- Acquiring my RM certificate through post basic midwifery ( 1yr 6mths) and use the time to get prepared financially for the transition process.
Honestly, the thought of spending for another 4 years in a Nigerian university is terrifying, considering the hassles attached to it.
Please, I need a second opinion. Your response will be really appreciated.

If I were to be you I won't bother about bsc,even the 1yr6mths RM I won't do it rather I source for a job with my RN save money,do businesses save more money... Cos that money I will use and pay for RM go reach to write IELTS first...
My opinion ooo...
NGO's should be your main target they pay their nurses well than some private hospitals

EbonyCy:

If I were to be you I won't bother about bsc,even the 1yr6mths RM I won't do it rather I source for a job with my RN save money,do businesses save more money... Cos that money I will use and pay for RM go reach to write IELTS first...
My opinion ooo...
NGO's should be your main target they pay their nurses well than some private hospitals

Thanks EbonyCy.
BlackNostra, this is one good piece of advice.
You can have your B.sc with peace of mind, once you have relocated.

oyetunjibaba:


The postgraduate diploma at Lasu and cleno ultrasound is about how year(s)?

Thank so much sir.

I am waiting for this information from my source.

TheLasyBuddha:


Can we have a glimpse of what the Supporting Information section looks like, sir?

I believe the supporting information is for you to sell yourself, the opportunity to display what you are, what you have, and what you can be if you are given the employment.

Deffjam:
.

Deffjam, your DOT is ripe, please come for the harvest . Trust you are alright?

EbonyCy:


If I were to be you I won't bother about bsc,even the 1yr6mths RM I won't do it rather I source for a job with my RN save money,do businesses save more money... Cos that money I will use and pay for RM go reach to write IELTS first...
My opinion ooo...
NGO's should be your main target they pay their nurses well than some private hospitals

Thanks, especially for the NGO info. I'll look into it.

Soknown:

Thanks EbonyCy.
BlackNostra, this is one good piece of advice.
You can have your B.sc with peace of mind, once you have relocated.

I appreciate your input.
This is quite an insightful thread.

Soknown thanks for the mention boss. compliments to you and your family

@op please I would like to have a private chat with you.can I have your contact as I don't have access to my nairaland mail anymore. thanks

EbonyCy:


If I were to be you I won't bother about bsc,even the 1yr6mths RM I won't do it rather I source for a job with my RN save money,do businesses save more money... Cos that money I will use and pay for RM go reach to write IELTS first...
My opinion ooo...
NGO's should be your main target they pay their nurses well than some private hospitals

Do you really need IELTS? What about the NARIC pathway?

Soknown:

Deffjam, your DOT is ripe, please come for the harvest . Trust you are alright?

sure thing sire! Anything for ur boy?

Emperornice:
@op please I would like to have a private chat with you.can I have your contact as I don't have access to my nairaland mail anymore. thanks

Hello, can you drop your mail address, I will contact you.

TheLasyBuddha:


Do you really need IELTS? What about the NARIC pathway?

Please, what is the NARIC pathway?

I woke up this morning with a craving to write rather than watch Netflix. So I picked up my kalamu and tablet to do justice to what my heart wants.
I have written about my early days as a nurse in Lagos, but I never actually answered the question. WHY Lagos. The answer is I always want more from life because I believe life has more to offer than the present moment. I abhorred working with Government establishment and institutions. So after finishing school I looked beyond Lautech teaching hospitals, OAUTHC, and UCH.

At some point in 2005, after finishing from Aro, Abeokuta. I was in a dilemma, should I apply to Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital and join the band-wagon or should look elsewhere. Anyway, I dropped my application letter in the hospital. Professor Adamson was the Provost then.
I moved to Lagos then my Mom called me to come home, I went to see her and she reiterated the need to have secure employment. I promised her that I will work on it. I left for Osogbo and checked with some colleagues, I was informed that Lautech is recruiting but there was no advert. That I can apply if I knew any politician. I stayed with a friend overnight.

In the morning I told my friend that I will be going to the house of Assembly, he asked why and I told him that I need to get a politician to give me a letter of introduction to the CMD. He thought I was Crazy but leaving in Lagos can make you to be so bold to approach anyone. I went to the house of assembly but alas, the house was on recess but I was able to see the clerk. I narrated my debacle, which he understood. He gave me his complimentary card and signed at the back. I thanked him profusely and departed for Lautech teaching hospital. I went to the office of the CMD, I told the Secretary that I have a note from the Office of the Speaker of the house to be delivered to the CMD. She asked me to sit and wait.
I sat down for about two hours before I saw the CMD, coming out of his office. I dashed to the hallway to meet him, I greeted him before saying that I have a note for him. He read the Complementary card and the note at the back. He said, young man tell the Clerk that I said; there is no recruitment going on.

I was downcast, I went back to a couple of friends to raise transport fare to Ibadan. I spent one night in Ibadan and then left for Lagos to continue the hustle.

On a particular day in January, I visited a friend in VGC, he worked with Critical Rescue International. The CRI Mediclinic was housed in the VGC Malls, the first building to your right as you approach the estate. I was amazed at the neatness of the Clinic, the serenity of the environment. The courtesy approach of the Staff, the number of equipments and Ambulances. So I told my friend, I need to work with this Company. I met with his boss, then Operations Officer. A very lovely lady, she asked me to work on my C.V and then submit it.

I packaged my C.V, though very scanty, what I lacked in experience I made up for it with attributes and skills, it was a ‘killer’ C.V of sort. I was called for an interview in February, I was interviewed by the HR and the Operations Officer. I performed well in the interview and was offered a position as an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) primarily working on the ambulance. I passed the Medicals so I started work in the first week of March 2006. It was a dream comes true.

CRI was the premier medical emergency and consummate ambulant care services in the country, the company was a trailblazer in many things. I believe, people would remember the Econet crisis center in the early days of mobile telecommunication services in Nigeria. The company was fashioned after Netcare 911 in South-Africa.

We had three distinct departments, The Mediclinic, there were many Mediclinics all over Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt. Operations, and the Emergency call center that housed the Control desks. The call center was known as the Econet Crisis center in the early days because it was the sole sponsor but later on, MTN joined as co-sponsor.

The set up of the company, the management, the staff, the clientele were elitist. The clientele was like never seen before in the annals of medical oriented company. From Construction, Telecommunication, Mining, Aviation and Hospitality, Oil and Gas, Banking, Food and Brewery, Embassies, Sport and even the Government.

I started work in the first week of March 2006. I started work on the same day with my ‘twin brother’ and two other lovely ladies, Four Nurses. The ladies were to be in the Call center while the duo of us were to be in the Operations, ‘The action department’. We were taken around the sprawling premises on 114, Oba Akran Avenue. In the massive premises there were about four companies, three very large warehouses, two staff cafeteria, a filling station. A Mediclinic, A Training center, and the headquarters building. We filled additional forms with the HR, then we were taken to the Call center. The call center itself was the very heart of the Company always buzzing with activities like a beehive. It was a large hall with about 40 desks/staff in 4 rows. There was the 112 sections and then the Medihelp section.

The 112 section consisted of 112/119 officers. You are on to 112, xyx speaking, how may I help you. Or you are on to 119, xyx speaking how may I assist you? That is easy right, Not so easy I will say because the lines were on the same phone. Each emergency line had its button on the phone and each had its response pathways to answer.

The calls were diverse and numerous, calls like; I lost my phone, I want to retrieve my number, can you trace my number, my phone was snatched, we need an ambulance xyz street, we need police on abc street, we need fire service on doremi avenue, dead body on 10th mainland bridge, unusual traffic on momo road, we need more Lastma officials, someone jumped into the river on soso river, Mr x has not been seen by neighbors in many days, trust me I have heard all sort and responded to all sort of concerns. Many genuine concerns while some were just hoax calls. It was nouveau, exciting, and stressful.

The set up of the call center was that there was an access-controlled door that led to an anteroom, the office of the Call center manager, then the call center itself. The Call center manager has a bird view of the call center through the transparent glass divider. There was a rotating CCTV that monitored activities within the center and gave live-feed to the owner of the company.

I was drafted to work in the call-center in the first few weeks so that I can have a feel of the activities. I remembered having to work 72 hours with few breaks in between during the 2006 Census. All the Ladies and the vulnerable groups were informed to stay at home. Was I counted during the Census? No. I have never being on a Census paper.

After the Census, We started training on emergency response, the modules were like Trauma life Support but it was labeled Basic life Support.

After the Census, We started training on emergency response, the modules were like Trauma life Support but it was labeled Basic life Support. The participants include Nurses, Doctors, and Lab scientists. We were trained for three weeks after which we did a test and the Simulations or simply ‘Sims’.
We were then posted to our different teams, In the operations department, there were Team A, Team B, and Team C. All reporting to the Operations Officer and the Operations Manager. There were Ambulance points in St’ Nicholas on Campbell street. VGC Clinic, Mediclinics in Isaac John Street in Ikeja, Adeniran Ogunsaya street in Surulere, another one was at AP Muller terminal in Apapa. There was one ambulance attached to Abuja and Port-Harcourt Clinic respectively. At some point, the Ambulance at St’ Nicholas was moved to Freeman's house in Idumota owned by one Multinational oil company, there was another Ambulance moved to Caverton Helicopters on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Later on, another ambulance at Old Maritime House on Apapa-Oshodi expressway. The shift was 12hours long either day or night, Each person working on the Ambulance, whether you are a Doctor, Nurse or First-aider was expected to do a 4 day-time shift, then 4-night shifts followed by 4 days off irrespective of your locations.
Apart from the primary Ambulance locations, we have contracted Ambulance locations like the West African Gas Pipeline Project, the TTC in Ogere. Seasonal Ambulance contract like Guilder ultimate search, the BBN, Star trek, Lagos City marathon. Econet sponsored Basketball Championship.
I worked in almost all the ambulance points within and outside the company, In April 2006, I had my first taste of outside deployment, I was deployed to a Technical training center in Ogere. The facility was being used by one oil major for the training and deployment of its new staff. This was a very boring place when compared to other deployments. In June I was deployed to West African Gas Pipeline Project (WAGP), this was an action-packed experience. Flying the ambulance from Ikeja through the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway to Sango then through Agbara to Badagry. There was a Gas plant Interchange at Ajido called Ajido Station and another one at Agbado Station. The main work-yard was at Oko-afor. The Project was for laying Gas pipelines from Escarvos to Benin, Togo, and Ghana. The pipeline passed through Rivers, Lagoon, Swamps, Forest, and deep Jungles. I cannot remember the number of times that the Kia made ambulances got stuck in the mud and swamps and had to be pulled out by excavators.

First-generation Alpha 3 Ambulance

Second-generation Alpha 3

I know many will want to point out that the Ambulances belong to Lagos state government based on the design, I will get to that later. These pictures were taken between 2006 and 2009.

In the training days, 2006.
Mr Fine boy.
Mr Mannikins.
Mrs Mannikins.

During the Sims. You have failed, if your Mr Mannikins did not look like the one displayed with all the Head block, Spidal harness and Bag valve masks, and extrication devices in place.

what advice do you have for someone that studied pharmacology and wants to come to the UK. Based on on this point based program newly introduced. Can you advise on some courses that can be taken. Pharmacology is a basic medical course, so what do you suggest?

Soknown:

Hello, can you drop your mail address, I will contact you.

Xxxxx

TheLasyBuddha:


Do you really need IELTS? What about the NARIC pathway?

Please sir what is NARIC ?

adrenaline02:
what advice do you have for someone that studied pharmacology and wants to come to the UK. Based on on this point based program newly introduced. Can you advise on some courses that can be taken. Pharmacology is a basic medical course, so what do you suggest?

If I may, Masters in Mental health Nursing.

EbonyCy:



Please sir what is NARIC ?

It is an international credential recognition agency in the UK. Once your credentials are assessed to ensure it makes up to the UK standard, you may be issued a certificate for this. By this, you do not need any English test.

With your UK NARIC, you don't need to write IELTS ANYMORE!!



Cc: Soknown