How to become a Nurse- Career in nursing, course, eligibility and more
INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
Nursing is one of the noblest profession in the world. It is one of the fastest and most important careers in both developed and developing countries owing to rising health awareness and the need for it. A nurse is someone who is admired and respect by everyone. It is a noble profession which includes taking care of medical patients in nursing homes and hospitals. Nursing courses in India can be divided into various levels of education. Many universities offer bachelor’s degree courses (B.Sc Nursing) and master’s degree courses (M.Sc Nursing). A number of healthcare education institutes offer diploma courses in nursing General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) diploma courses.
In terms of nobility, nursing falls under the same category as that of a teacher and a doctor. You just can’t compare it with money. Like a mother nurses her child with complete devotion, a nurse does the same with the patients she is looking after. This is the reason it is one of the most respectable profession all over the world.
NURSING COURSES
In India, there are 7 levels at which nursing education is offered.
| Nursing Programs | Training Duration | Examination | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auxiliary Nurse & Midwife | 2 years | Nursing Examination Board | R.ANM |
| General Nursing & Midwifery | 3 and 1/2 years | Nursing Examination Board | R.N & R.M |
| B. Sc (Basic) | 4 years | University | R.N & R.M |
| B.Sc (Post Basic) | Regular: 2 yrs Distance: 3 yrs |
University | Additional Qualification |
| M. Sc. | 2 years | University | Additional Qualification |
| M. Phil | 1 year (Full time) 2 years (part-time) |
University | Additional Qualification |
| Ph.D. | 3-5 years | University | Additional Qualification |
Auxiliary Nurse Midwife/ Health Worker (ANM)
Eligibility criteria
- A candidate must be at least a minimum of 17 years old on or before 31st December of the year in which he/she has taken admission.
- A candidate must not be older than 35 years of age.
- A candidate must have passed class 12 examinations from either arts or science stream from a recognized state or National board.
- A candidate must be medically fit.
- Admission will be made once a year.
General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM)
Eligibility criteria
- A candidate must be at least a minimum of 17 years old on or before 31st December of the year in which he/she has taken admission.
- A candidate must not be older than 35 years of age.
- A candidate must have passed class 12 exams with science stream preferably Science (PCB) & English with an aggregate of at least 40% marks.
- 10+2 vocational ANM from any recognised board of India, whether state or national recognised by Indian Nursing Council with a minimum of 40% marks.
- A candidate must be medically fit.
- Admission will be made once a year.
The duration of course in general nursing is of three and half years. The first two years are dedicated to practising in general nursing. The next one year follows the practice in community health nursing and midwifery. The students then do 6 months internship which includes nursing administration and nursing research classes.
For male students there is an alternate course in lieu of midwifery.
Bsc Nursing – Bachelor of nursing
Eligibility criteria
- A candidate must be at least a minimum of 17 years old on or before 31st December of the year in which he/she has taken admission.
- A candidate must have passed class 12 exams with science stream Science (Physics Chemistry Biology) & English with an aggregate of at least 45% marks.
- If a candidate has appeared in science exam held by National Institute of Open School then he/she must have scored a minimum of 45%.
- Students belonging to OBC, SC, ST should have scored at least 40 % marks.
- A candidate must be medically fit.
- Admission will be made once a year.
The duration of this course is 4 years.
BACHELOR OF NURSING COURSE (POST CERTIFICATE) FOR QUALIFIED NURSES
This program is offered at two levels.
Regular Bsc – It is for those students who have completed their 12th class and also GNM course.
Distance Bsc – It is for those students who have completed their 12th class and GNM course and in addition to that have two years of experience.
Eligibility criteria
- A candidate must hold a certificate in General nursing.
- A candidate must be a registered nurse.
- A candidate must have a minimum of two years of experience. Now it is relaxed that no experience after GNM is required for admission to this course.
- A candidate must have passed pre university exam in the arts /science/commerce or its equivalent which is recognised the university
- A candidate must be medically fit
- A candidate must have a good personal and professional record
MASTER OF NURSING (M. Sc.)
Eligibility criteria
- A candidate must have passed BSc. Nursing/post certificate BSc, or nursing degree from any recognised university with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.
- A candidate must have a minimum of one year of experience after obtaining Bachelor degree, in hospitals or nursing educational institutions.
- A candidate must be a registered nurse in order to take admission to psychiatric nursing.
- A candidate will be selected on merit judged on the basis of academic performances in post certificate BSc, BSc nursing, or nursing and selection tests.
DOCTORATE OF PHILOSOPHY IN NURSING (PhD)
Eligibility criteria
-
A candidate must have completed post graduation in nursing with more than 55% of aggregates of marks.
-
A candidate must have a research background.
-
A candidate may or may not publish articles in journals.
STEPS TO BE A NURSE
STEP 1 – Decide the course you want to do.
STEP 2- Give the entrance exam.
STEP 3- Do the internship
STEP 4 – Get the job as a nurse
JOB PROFILE
A nurse can work in the following fields:
- Staff Nurse – Offers direct patient care to one person or a team of individuals.
- Deputy Nursing Superintendent
- Assistant Nursing Superintendent/Department Supervisor.
- Nursing Supervisor or Ward Sister
- Community Health Nurse (CHN)
- Director of Nursing
- Nursing Superintendent
- Teacher of Nursing
- Nursing Service Administrators.
- Military Nurse
- Nursing Service overseas
- Industrial Nurse
LIST OF NURSING ENTRANCE EXAMS
| Conducted By | Name of Entrance Exam |
|---|---|
| Banaras Hindu University | BHU GNM Entrance Tes |
| CMC Vellore | tCMC Vellore Entrance Exam |
| NTR University of Health Sciences | NTRUHS M.Sc (Nursing) Entrance Test |
| AMUPMDC AssoCET | Combined Entrance Test for B.Sc Nursing Admissions |
| AIIMS – (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) | B.Sc. Nursing Admission Test |
| Nitte University Mangalore | Nitte University Mangalore M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam (NUPMET) |
| Nitte University Mangalore | B.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam (NUPMET) |
| AFMC Entrance Exam | Armed Forces Medical College B.Sc Nursing program entrance exam. |
| Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai | Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai M.Sc Nursing Common Entrance Test |
| Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Vadodara | Entrance Exam for B.Sc Nursing 2012 |
| Yenepoya University Mangalore | Entrance Exam for B.Sc Nursing and M.Sc Nursing |
| Lady Hardinge Medical College | B.Sc (Hons) Nursing course Entrance Test |
| Dr NTR University of Health Sciences Vijayawada | B.Sc Nursing Admission Test |
| National Institute of Nursing PGI Chandigarh | PGI Nursing Entrance Exam – B.Sc and M.Sc Nursing Admission |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) | JIPMER Staff Nurse Entrance Exam |
| Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth Pune | All India Common Entrance Test for B.Sc (Nursing) |
| Banaras Hindu University | B.Sc (Nursing) Admission Test |
| PPMET | Punjab Para Medical Entrance Test for Admission to B.Sc. Nursing courses |
| ENET EPSI | National Admission test (ENET) Entrance Examination for B.Sc Nursing |
| Amrita University | Entrance Exam for B.Sc Nursing |
| Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla | Entrance test for Admission to B.Sc Nursing course |
| CMC Ludhiana | Entrance Test for Admission to B.Sc. Nursing courses |
TOP NURSING COLLEGES IN INDIA
- RAK College of Nursing, Delhi
- Manipal University: Manipal College of Nursing
- CMC Vellore College of Nursing
- B.M. Birla College of Nursing, Kolkata
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences: Department of Nursing
- Apollo College of Nursing, Chennai
- Father Muller College of Nursing, Mangalore
- SNDT Faculty of Nursing, Mumbai
- Sree Ramachandra Medical University, Chennai: College of Nursing
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research: Department of Nursing
- National Institute of Mental health and Neurosciences, Bangalore: Department of Nursing
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai: Nursing
- St. John’s College of Nursing, Bangalore
- Government College of Nursing, Calicut
- Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai: College of Nursing
- School of Health Sciences: IGNOU
- Kovai Medical Center Research and Educational Trust: College of Nursing
- Madras Medical College, College of Nursing
- SRM University: College of nursing Chennai
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Nursing College
- MIMS College of Nursing, Calicut, Kerala
- Apollo College of Nursing, Apollo Health City, Hyderabad
- CMC Ludhiana: College of Nursing
- Jamia Hamdard University: Faculty of Nursing
- Government College of Nursing, Thiruvananthapuram
- Government College of Nursing, Kottayam
- Madras Medical Mission, College of Nursing, Chennai
- Government College of Nursing, SSKM Hospital, Kolkata
- Amrita University: College of Nursing, Cochin
- MSR Institute of Nursing Education & Research, Bangalore
SALARY PACKAGE
A nurse can expect a salary between Rs 10,000- Rs 15,000 in the starting. Those who have studied from government colleges can expect to earn over Rs 30,000 right from the start. The salary depends on the course you have done.
About Common Proficiency Test: CPT stands for Common Proficiency Test and it is the entrance exam to become a Chartered
What is Pilot: Every Student wants to know how to become a pilot and wants to get a commercial pilot license?