Dreams on hold: Hundreds of nursing graduates stuck in internship limbo for years

Hundreds of nursing graduates are still waiting to be posted for their mandatory internships, years after completing their studies, a delay they say has ruined their dreams and left them stuck without licences or jobs.

The graduates, some of whom completed training as far back as 2019 and 2020, gathered to protest what they termed as neglect by the Ministry of Health and the Nursing Council of Kenya.

They said that despite being fully qualified, they have been excluded from internship placements while others have been favoured.

“It’s so sad because most of our lives have been stagnant since 2023. Since we graduated, most of us cannot do anything. We cannot apply for jobs because we are not licensed,” said Nashipai Joyline Sulunye, a nursing officer pre-intern.

Many of them described years of helplessness and financial strain, saying they have done everything required but continue to be overlooked with no explanation.

“You find the class of 2020 intake has been posted, yet we are left out. We want to know if there is discrimination. We have been camping here since last week, and some of us are from Kisii. We don’t know what’s going on. We are really suffering,” Geoffrey Oteki said.

The affected graduates said the latest internship list, released on June 30, once again failed to include their names. They say this violates the requirement that interns should be placed within 90 days after completing school.

“The list for the internship was out last week on June 30, and we happened to miss the list. We have been out of service for one and a half years. We have been left out of the internship, and we cannot do anything. You are supposed to be posted at least within 90 days,” added Titus Odhiambo.

The nursing internship is critical for licensing and entry into the health workforce. Without it, graduates cannot be registered or apply for jobs in the sector.

Many now say they feel forgotten and are calling for urgent reforms to ensure equal treatment.

The Ministry of Health had announced late last month the posting of 6,484 interns for the 2025/2026 internship cycle.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the one-year programme, which began on July 1, will provide supervised training and clinical experience in accredited public hospitals across the country.

While the announcement was welcomed by those included in the list, those left out say they are now more confused and discouraged than ever before. They are demanding transparency in the selection process and clear answers from the authorities.