Nursing is one of the popular career choices for medical aspirants in India. Candidates wanting to work in the healthcare industry can pursue nursing courses after 12th grade.
Nursing is one of the important parts of the modern healthcare system, playing a key role in patient care, recovery and wellness.
Traditionally, nursing has been the female dominated field with women making up the majority of the profession, but in the last few decades more male candidates have taken this profession.
In India, candidates can pursue ANM, GNM and B.Sc Nursing courses. The basic eligibility to enrol in a nursing program is 10+2 passed with PCB subject combination.
So arts or humanities stream students are not eligible for nursing?
Actually, Arts and Commerce stream students are eligible to pursue nursing. While science stream students, can pursue nursing through B.Sc nursing course, the Arts or Commerce streams can also enter the nursing profession by enrolling in programs like ANM or GNM course.
Top explore more about nursing as a career, continue reading this article for course details, eligibility criteria, top colleges and salary details.
History of Nursing in India
The English nurse “Florence Nightingale” was the founder of the modern nursing.
Her pioneering work during the Crimean war (1853-56) by introducing basic hygiene practices, such as proper sanitation, clean bedding, and ventilation, which dramatically reduced the mortality rate of the soldiers in the military hospitals.
In the 19th century, for her compassionate care during that period she was often referred to as the “Lady with the Lamp”
During the British colonial rule, the East India Company brought the first Western-trained nurse from London to Madras (now Chennai) in the 1840s to help improve healthcare for British soldiers and civilians.
“Nursing is a medical profession for administration and taking care of patient with the help of health care science”.
Also Check – Popular Medical Courses After 12th
Nursing Course Details
Nursing is counted as one of the most respectful professions as nurses are at the heart of patient care playing a crucial role in ensuring the health, comfort, and well-being of individuals.
The INC (Indian Nursing Council) is the accreditation and recognition body for nursing education in India.
Candidates can pursue diploma courses, UG degree courses and PG degree in the field of nursing.
Some of the private healthcare centres, hospitals and medical institutions also offer nursing certificate courses for the duration of 6 months to 1 year.
Below we have listed some of popular courses in the field of nursing:
Diploma courses
UG Degree courses
- B.Sc – Basic (Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Basic) – 4 yrs
- B.Sc – Post Basic (Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Post Basic) – 2 yrs
- B.Sc – Distance (Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Distance) – 3 yrs
PG Degree courses
- M. Sc (Master of Science in Nursing) – 2 yrs
Doctoral courses
- M.Phil (Master of Science in Nursing) – 1 yr (Full time)
- M.Phil (Master of Science in Nursing) – 2 yr (part time)
- PhD (Doctor in Philosophy) – 3 to 5 yrs
Nursing Specialization
The specializations in the field of nursing are as the following:
- Ophthalmic Nursing
- Leprosy Nursing
- TB Nursing
- Psychiatric Nursing
- Neurological Nursing
- Neurosurgical Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Cancer Nursing
- Orthopedic Nursing
- Oncological Nursing
- Cardio logical Nursing
- Nephrological Nursing
- Paediatric Nursing
- Critical Care Nursing
- Cardio Thoracic Nursing
- Operation Room Nursing
- Neonatal Nursing
- Rehabilitation Nursing
- Nursing Education and Administration
- Practitioner in Midwifery
- Emergency and Disaster Nursing
Eligibility Criteria
For admission to the nursing courses, candidates have to meet the eligibility criteria as given below:
Eligibility for ANM & GNM Courses
- Candidates must have passed 10+2 from any stream.
- The upper age limit is 35 years.
Eligibility for B.Sc Nursing Courses
- Passed 10+2 with Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) and English subjects.
- The candidates must have scored aggregate of 45% marks from recognized board of school education.
- The minimum age for admission is 17 years on 31st December of the year of admission.
Eligibility for M.Sc Nursing Courses
- Candidates must have passed B.Sc Nursing with minimum 55% marks.
- Minimum one year of work experience after Basic B.Sc. Nursing.
Admission
The admission in ANM and GNM diploma courses is done on the basis of state level diploma entrance exams. Many institutions also offer admission on the basis of 12th board merit of marks.
For admission to the B.Sc nursing programs, candidates have to pass nursing entrance exams. Some of the popular nursing entrance examination are mentioned below:
After qualifying nursing exams, candidates have to appear in the counselling process and complete the admission formalities.
Jobs & Career
Nursing is a good career option for those candidates who have the zeal and interest to serve the mankind. A person who believe in curing medically ill people and can work hard in challenging condition can choose nursing as a career option.
The one and the best part of this field is that nurses never remain unemployed. They easily get the job in health care organizations, hospital and nursing homes. The candidates who are looking for the government job, can get it easily after completing the nursing course.
As the government is expanding healthcare facilities by opening new hospitals, clinics and medical institutions. The demand of nursing professional will continue to grow in future.
Candidates have also the option for career advancement in areas like healthcare administration, nursing education and research.
The top job profiles in the field of nursing are as the following:
- Staff Nurse
- Assistant Nursing Superintendent
- Department Supervisor
- Deputy Nursing Superintendent
- Nursing Supervisor or Ward Sister
- Director of Nursing
- Nursing Superintendent
- Teacher of Nursing
- Community Health Nurse (CHN)
- Military Nurse
- Industrial Nurse
- Nursing Service Administrators
- Nursing Service overseas
Employment Area
The employment areas where nurses can work are as the following:
- Government run hospitals
- Super speciality hospital
- Nursing homes
- Orphanages
- Old age homes
- Industries
- Sanatoriums
- Armed forces
- Indian Red Cross Society
- Indian Nursing Council
- State Nursing Council
- Educational institutions
Nursing is a noble profession as it involves helping people to recover their health. It also makes a person multitasking & also allows flexibility in their work profile.
Salary in Nursing
The salaries in Nursing field are very competitive. Graduates have the opportunity to work in private as well in public sectors.
In India, a fresher nursing graduate can start their career with ₹3 to ₹5 lakh per year. Nurses with higher qualification and specializations can earn ₹6 to ₹12 lakh per year or more.
The salary depends on candidates experience, location and the organization. In top government medical institutions like AIIMS, Military nursing services the salaries of staff nurse is around ₹5 to ₹12 lakh per year.
Candidates also have the opportunity to work abroad in the countries like USA, UK, Canada & Australia. In U.S., the average salary of registered nurses (RNs) is $75,000 per year, which can go upto $100,000 depending on experience and location.
In UK, newly qualified nursing professionals earn around £24,000 to £30,000 per year. In Canada, the average salary of registered nurses is around CAD $60,000 to $80,000 annually.
Books & Study Materials
Here we are providing some popular & most preferred books to study Nursing:
- Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes, 7th edition by Meg Gulanick and Judith L. Meyers
- The Everything New Nurse Book by Kathy Quan
- Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: A Guide to Planning Care by Betty J. Ackley and Gail B. Ladwig
- Intensive Care: The Story of a Nurse by Echo Heron
- Cardiac Surgery Essentials for Critical Care Nursing by Sonya R. Hardin
Career in Nursing FAQ’s
For any other queries about Career in Nursing, you may leave your queries below.
Admisión leni h muje plz sir help chahiye apki thòdi
Yes, you can ask your queries.
please tell me what’s the fee structure for bsc nursing
The fees depends on the university or college you are studying. In AIIMS the fees is approximately ₹1,500 per year for the B.Sc. Nursing program. In govt colleges, it can range from ₹10,000 to ₹40,000 per year, depending on the state and institution.
In private universities the fees could be anywhere between ₹50,000 to ₹1,00000 per year.
I am a bio studeny of 12th class. so plzz advice me a best career in nursing.
B.Sc nursing is one of the best course option in nursing.
Nursing profession not only for women this profession also for men.generally people thought nursing profession only for women but this is not true.
Yes. that’s correct. Male candidates are also eligible to pursue B.Sc nursing program.
This is very nice post of you important post and informative post keep on posting like this it will helps me and others to get the update on time thanks
That such an informative post, especially for the ones who are going or thinking of pursuing career in Nursing.
Thanks for sharing the info. Keep posting interesting posts like this.
2021 government application date please for a b sc nurshing sir
I am 35 yr old gnm . What is the scope ahead.shall I continue my studies or not.
What is nursing care? Simply put, nursing care is care that is provided and supervised by registered general nurses. In the home environment they could be works as live in nurses for the elderly.
Hi, can anyone leave a reply for my query plz
I’m from Chennai.my age is 34, I did e gineering computers n it s like 7years with no work. At this age I can do nursing study. Am. I eligible?is any colleges offer this BSc nursing or any nursing course good and eligible to. Join. Plz help me.
Bsc nursing is the helpful for life time and is it a future is best ya wrong and 12th rank for the bsc nursing or neet rank
Mein 12 pass ki hai biology, chemistry,physics 80% marks se or ab m success hona chati hu life m ,toh mere liye konsa course sahi rehega. Plz Help me sir.
sir,
sir i’m doing b.sc. Nursing but now i want any doctrate course so sir u give advise about this.
You can do doctorate in same field.
I want to know one thing, one my friend has completed GNM course in 2010 but i did not passed anatomy exam in firse year because of that reason he couldn’t attend third year exam, but he recived course complete certificate from the institute. Now he have intrest to pass the GNM course, so how he can do this?
Sir I am completed my post basic BSc nursing, so, iIwant to join in msc computer science or nutrition is there any possible to do this course, I won’t go for msc nursing so please suggest me what iII have been do the specialization not in nursing field, I am very confused what I have choose
thanks for this best information
Sir,meine 12th scince medical se ki ha mein aapni life mein success panne k lite kon sa course better ha
my fiance intrest in bsc nursing so this subject is better or not better
and i am B.A.M.S students
I want to know about the admission form in govt . college
I wish to make career in nursing plz advice about clg…
Kindly inform all bsc nursing related entrance exams
Please tell how we can prepare for nursing after completing 10 th class
plz send information about application form and their date
Sir I am 12( non medical) , I wish the career for nursing . Pl advice about me
I wish to make career in nursing pl advice about college, thanks