Registered General Nursing (RGN)
Public Nursing Training Colleges · All Public Nursing Training Colleges
Will you get in?
You will need better than the minimum pass grades for this level. Enter your WASSCE grades and we will tell you whether you meet the published cut-off for this programme — and every other programme at Public Nursing Training Colleges you qualify for.
Check if you qualifyRegistered General Nursing (RGN) is a diploma programme offered at public nursing training colleges across Ghana. It prepares you to become a professional nurse, delivering direct patient care and promoting health in communities. This page explains what the programme typically covers, how competitive admission is, and the subject requirements you need to apply.
What the RGN diploma typically covers
Diploma programmes in general nursing start with the basics of the human body, such as anatomy, physiology, and nutrition, and move on to nursing theory and clinical practice. You learn to observe and assess patients, administer medication, manage wounds, assist in operations, and provide health education. The course combines classroom teaching with supervised work in hospitals and clinics, so you graduate ready to care for patients in real settings.
How competitive entry is and what you must have studied
Admission to the RGN diploma at public nursing training colleges is competitive, meaning there are many more applicants than places. The published additional requirements are three WASSCE electives chosen from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Home Economics. You need these subjects to be considered for admission. Because competition is strong, your grades in both core and elective subjects will matter, so check your own results against the entry competition level.
What Registered General Nurses do after graduation
Most RGN graduates begin as staff nurses in hospitals, clinics, or health centres, caring for patients directly. Many later move into community health nursing, public health, school health, or occupational health. Others specialise through further study in areas such as midwifery, paediatric nursing, or nursing education. The diploma also provides a foundation for ward management and leadership roles in health facilities.
Entry requirements
Subject requirements
Three electives (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Home Economics).
SHS backgrounds accepted
Every SHS course of study may apply to this college.
Aggregate needed
Public Nursing Training Colleges publishes a cut-off aggregate for this programme. Run a check to see whether your grades meet it.
Where graduates work
- Staff nurse
- Community health nurse
- Public health nurse
- School health nurse
- Nursing educator (with further study)