Nurses play a crucial role in Ghana’s healthcare system, providing essential care and support to patients across the country. Nurses in Ghana are put into various ranks and each of these ranks offers a different basic salary and each rank has a specific uniform that nurses have to wear. As the backbone of medical facilities, their dedication and expertise are vital to the nation’s health and well-being.
Understanding the structure of the nursing profession in Ghana, including the various ranks, salary scales, and uniform distinctions, provides valuable insight into the profession. This article explores the hierarchical ranks within the nursing sector, detailing the responsibilities and progression opportunities at each level.
Additionally, we examine the salary ranges that correspond to these ranks, shedding light on the financial aspects of a nursing career in Ghana. Finally, we take a closer look at the uniforms worn by nurses, which signify their rank and role within the healthcare system. Whether you’re considering a career in nursing or seeking to understand more about this noble profession, this guide offers a comprehensive overview of the ranks, remuneration, and attire of nurses in Ghana.
NURSES SALARIES IN GHANA
The government uses a single-spine structure where your educational qualification determines your salary. All nurses in Ghana with a certificate get the same base pay, in the same way, all nurses with a diploma get the same wage and the same applies to nurses with a degree.
Nurses in Ghana with a certificate start from entry level 12L and are paid a base salary of GHC 1,724.59. This includes community health nurses, enrolled nurses, health assistants and senior health assistants. This base salary increases with time as the nurses are promoted. On the next promotion nurses with certificate’s base salary increases to GHC 1,753.91
Nurses in Ghana with diplomas start at level 15H and the starting pay is GHC 2,673.20. This includes Midwives, staff nurses and medical assistants. These nurses are upgraded to a higher salary level of GHC 2,718.64 on their next promotion.
Nurses with a degree in Ghana start at level 18L and earn a basic salary of GHC 3,384.73 after which they are upgraded to a higher salary of GHC 3,442.28 on their next promotion. This salary level includes staff midwife, Senior Health Educator, Senior Health planner, dietician, physician assistant, senior health research officer, nutrition officer, etc.
NURSING RANKS IN GHANA
A nurse in Ghana is ranked first as a staff nurse then after three years, they are promoted to senior staff nurses then to nursing officers, senior nursing officers, a principal nursing officer then finally to district director of nursing services (DDNS).
- CERTIFICATE NURSES.
There are two types of certificate nurses, these are nurse assistant clinical and nurse assistant preventive. This is a two-year programme and these nurses can upgrade to become degree nurses.
Nurse assistant clinical work in the ward in the hospital. They wear green uniforms and a green cape where you have one white strip on your sleeve in your first year, two white strips in your second year and three stripes in your third year.
Nursing assistant preventive usually work in rural areas and educate people on how to prevent diseases. These include community health nurses. They wear a brown uniform, green buttons and a brown belt.
2. DIPLOMA NURSES
Diploma nurses have a diploma in nursing and mostly work in clinics and hospitals. Diploma nurses include registered general nurses and midwives. Registered diploma general nurses wear green with a white collar while midwife diploma nurses wear green but with a black belt. They also wear a white long sleeves shirt, and a black tie with long khaki trousers.
3. DEGREE NURSES
Degree nurses wear a white overall uniform or a white skirt and top. Degree nurses have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and work in clinics, healthcare facilities and hospitals. Degree nurses are ranked as nursing officers. Nurses in Ghana can pursue a diploma or degree as registered general nurses, public health nurses, or registered mental health nurses
4. NURSE PRACTITIONERS
These nurses are higher than degree nurses because they have a master’s degree in nursing and can provide primary care, diagnose and treat illnesses and prescribe medications. They wear any multicoloured attire of their choice. Degree midwives deliver babies and provide care to mothers and newborns.
5. DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF NURSING SERVICES (DDNS)
DDNS nurses oversee all nursing activities within a district. They were white uniforms with a waist belt.
NURSES UNIFORMS IN GHANA
Nurses in Ghana at various levels wear different coloured uniforms: staff nurses wear brown, nursing officers wear white, senior nursing officers wear blue, principal nursing officers wear green and the deputy director of nursing services wears mauve/red.
When it comes to nurses’ belts in Ghana, midwives wear black belts that is, both degree and diploma nurses, the white belt is worn by nursing officers, the blue belt is worn by senior nursing officers, the green belt is worn by principal nursing officers, and the purple belt is worn by the deputy director for nursing services.