We as a society had collectively missed out on acknowledging the importance of a nurse before the pandemic era. The Pandemic made us realize once again the life-saving capabilities of nurse and their importance in society.
A nurse has to be an all-rounder individual who not only specializes in patient care but is also aware of the basics of medicine. If you are someone who wishes to take up the nursing journey after the 12th this article is for you.
In this article, we will look at various courses, colleges, and the eligibility criteria for one to become a nurse. We will try to trace the entire journey and get an idea about the process.
Why choose Nursing after 12th?
If you are looking for a career that will let you take care of people and add value to society, you canopt for nursing. A nurse is someone who not only prepares the patient with the mandate checks before meeting the doctor, but they are also the caregivers after a diagnosis or surgery. Being a nurse will enable you to be the backbone of any medical setup where you will be directly dealing with patients.
If you decide to be a nurse, you will be the first responder in the case of an emergency. Furthermore, your duty will entail taking care of a patient after surgery, be it massive or negligible, giving moral support to the patient’s family and also ensuring the vitals of all the patients in the hospital are in check.
However, a nurse’s job is not only limited to checking on a patient’s routine medicines or vitals. It also equips you with the necessary skills to save people’s lives and also support their dear ones during a dark time. Furthermore, it is a stable and highly fulfilling career.
Let us now quickly jump into the various nursing courses available to make a more informed decision as a student.
Types of Nursing Courses After 12th
There are various ways you can pursue a nursing course depending on your career focus and goal. Apart from the traditional degree course, you can pursue a diploma or a certification in nursing too.
We shall look into all three in the below details.
Diploma / Certificate Courses
A diploma or a certificate in nursing will enable you to become a certified nurse quicker than a traditional B.Sc. nursing course. Furthermore, evaluating the atmosphere in which you will work is usually a sustainable idea or determining whether this is the best option. Since, due to constant exposure and catering to emergencies, nursing is very physically and mentally draining.
Undergraduate Courses
A diploma sounds right for the student who is unsure or still figuring out their possibilities with nursing. Furthermore, it is also a sustainable choice for someone who wants to specialize in a certain line of nursing. But if you are someone who is not only sure, but passionate, about being a nurse, a full-time undergraduate course is the way to begin. It will help you master the skills of a professional nurse with both practical and theoretical knowledge.
Now that we know how a nursing course is structured in our country, let us quickly look at a few popular nursing courses.
1. General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM)
It is one of the most preferred branches of nursing amongst the students. The GNM degree encompasses two curriculums, General Nursing is general care in any medical setting of the patient and Midwifery is caring for expectant mothers and postpartum care. It is a three-year degree course with a six-month mandatory internship.
Eligibility Criteria:
- A student must secure a minimum of 40% from a recognized board.
- The student is required to have English as a part of their curriculum.
- Students from NIOS, or state government-recognized schools, are eligible but with a preference towards the science background.
- A student with registered ANM pass marks is also allowed to apply.
- The minimum age for admission is 17 years on the 31st of December that year.
Overview Of Course structure
The course is divided into three years and blends the two lines of nursing with the following subjects:
- Bio-Science
- Behavioural Sciences
- Nursing Foundations
- Community Health Nursing
- Medical Surgical Nursing
- Medical Surgical Practical
- Mental Health Nursing
- Child Health Nursing
- Midwifery and Gynecological Nursing
- Practical
- Internship
2. Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery (ANM)
The ANM course in nursing is the grassroots level of the nursing course, where a student is taught basic nursing skills along with childbirth assistance. As an ANM nurse, you will be responsible for setting up the operation theater, checking the various tools and ensuring optimal patient care.
This course will also enable you to be a part of various government health schemes and be the first point of contact for a community. You will be the face of a health center and will be responsible for educating a community on the importance of health and hygiene. It is a two-year course along with mandatory internship and hands-on sessions.
Eligibility Criteria:
- A student should be between the age bracket of 17–35 years on the 31st of December that year.
- The student must pass 10+2 from any recognized board or NIOS.
Overview Of Course structure
To pass ANM nursing, you must complete the following syllabus:
- Health Promotion
- Human Body and Hygiene
- Environmental Sanitation
- Mental Health
- Primary Health Care
- Child Health Nursing
- Midwifery
- Health Center Management
3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc. Nursing)
A B.Sc. Nursing degree is a four-year undergraduate degree that will equip you with the necessary skills to be a nurse in any medical setting. It focuses majorly on hands-on training along with a detailed theoretical syllabus.
In India, there is a concerning lack of nurses due to the growing population. Hence, apart from being a fulfilling degree, it is also a very in-demand profession.
Most colleges depend on a student’s NEET entrance marks to consider their eligibility. However, some colleges have their own set of eligibility criteria and other entrance exams in place. The general eligibility criteria are as follows.
Eligibility Criteria:
- A student is required to pass 10+2 with Science (PCB) & English Core/English Elective under any recognised board or NIOS.
- The student should score a minimum of 45%.
- The minimum age of admission for B.SC. Nursing is 17 years old.
Overview Of Course structure
The course structure may vary a little as per your choice of university. But to give you an idea, the B.SC. nursing course covers the following subjects:
- General Science
- Communicative English
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Nursing Foundations
- Biochemistry
- Nutrition
- First Aid
- Child Health Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Midwifery & Obstetrical Nursing
- Practicals and Hands on
This course also includes a six-month mandatory internship.
Once you have completed your BSc. nursing, you can opt for Post Basics in B.Sc. Nursing. Let us understand about the course with the below points:
4. Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing
It is a three-year degree course (depending on your university) that is designed for nursing professionals or students who already have a nursing degree or diploma. It caters to the advanced level of nursing and patient care.
Dealing with subjects like advanced nursing theory, clinical skills, healthcare management and others, it enables you to be a critical care nurse or jump into more advanced professional levels of career.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Passed 10+2 with any recognised board.
- A certified general Nursing and Midwifery student who is registered as R.N.R.M. with the State Nurses Registration Council.
- In the case of a male nurse, a certificate of training is mandatory.
Overview Of Course Structure
The course structure may vary depending on the university you choose. But the basic subjects are as follows:
- Nursing Foundation
- Biochemistry & Biophysics
- Nutrition & Dietetics
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Microbiology
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Child Health Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Administration
- Mental Health Nursing
- Research Project and Practicals.
Now that we know the various courses available that you can pursue as an aspiring nurse, let us look at some top nursing colleges in India.
Top Nursing Colleges in India
You can pursue your nursing degree either from a government-recognized college or a private one. Here are some of the recognized government nursing colleges in India.
- All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, Delhi
- Christian Medical College, Vellore
- NIMS University, Jaipur
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi.
In case you wish to pursue your degree from a private college, you can look at the below choices.
- Symbiosis College of Nursing, Pune.
- M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Nursing Education and Research, Bangalore
- Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal
- Father Muller College of Nursing, Mangalore
The above-listed colleges have a different set of entrance tests and eligibility criteria in place. Some will consider your NEET score as the basis of your selection whereas some have their own set of entrance tests. The course fee will also depend on the college university of your choice.
Career Prospects and Job Opportunities
India needs more healthcare professionals than ever. The ratio of 1:834 as of 26 JUL 2022 , makes a profession like nursing not only an in-demand profession but one with job security too. Apart from being able to save lives and be the strength in someone’s healing journey, the nursing line has a huge career prospect.
As a professional nurse, you can move on to advanced career opportunities like administrator or clinical nurse. Furthermore, you can find opportunities in hospitals, health centers, military nursing or sit for government exams. Furthermore, you can be a part of any breakthrough by contributing to medical research and academic research in nursing.
But apart from this, a nursing line will ensure you have a decent income that ranges from 2 lakhs per annum to 12 lakhs per annum, depending on your expertise and specialization.
Conclusion
When you choose to be a nurse, you are not only taking a step toward your career but also making society a better place to live. India’s more than 10%, consists of the elderly, furthermore, it is going through a population boom. So we will always need people who will decide selfless professions to progress as a society.
Honestly, it is tough being a nurse if we look at all the job responsibilities that a nurse caters to. However, no job is as fulfilling as this one. You will be directly responsible for not only taking care of a person in dire need but also supporting a family in a time of despair.
If you are an empathetic person with an undying curiosity for human anatomy and medicine, this is the profession for you.
I hope this article has given you some relevant insight to make one of the most important decisions of your life. I wish you all the best for your career ahead.
Please do let us know in the comments what would you like to read next. We can’t wait to hear from you!😊
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does it take to complete a diploma in nursing?
It usually takes 1 to 3 years to complete a diploma in nursing.
2. Are there entrance exams for nursing courses after 12th?
You must crack NEET to pursue nursing.
3. What subjects are covered in a nursing curriculum?
The major subjects covering the nursing curriculum are Anatomy, Physiology, Nursing Foundations, Biology, Microbiology, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Nutrition, etc.
4. Which are the top nursing colleges in India?
The topmost colleges in nursing are as follows, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
5. What is the starting salary for a nurse in India?
The salary of a nurse in india usually ranges from INR 20,000 to 35,000 per month.
6. What are the benefits of choosing a career in nursing?
Apart from being a fulfilling career where you get to save lives and comfort people in need, nursing a career can offer you job security and a wide of range of specializations. It is a profession that never stops giving and you will keep on learning new things forever.