SCOPE OF NURSING PRACTICE IN INDIA
What is Nursing?
CNA described ‘Nursing practice as a dynamic, caring, helping relationship in which the nurse assists the client to achieve and obtain optimal health. – Canadian Nurses Association
Why Choose Nursing as Career
Nursing is one of the most exciting and in-demand careers today. There was a time when professional nurses had very little choice of services because nursing was centered only in the hospital and bedside nursing. Today, the career scopes of career opportunities in nursing are extended. So, the aspirants can make their career in nursing as the career opportunities in nursing are very bright and promising. As the scope of nursing practice in India has expanded, you can complete your nursing courses to establish your career in the field of nursing.
There are seven levels of nursing education in India today. They are:
- Multi Purpose Health Worker Female training (ANM or MPHW-F)
- General nursing and midwifery (GNM)
- B.Sc. Nursing
- Post-basic B.Sc (N) course
- M.Sc. Nursing
- M. Phil in Nursing
- PhD in Nursing
The last five are university level courses and the respective universities conduct examinations. The ANM, HV, and GNM are conducted in schools of nursing. Besides, there are several certificate and PG diploma courses in specialities.

Nursing Courses in India and Eligibility for the Nursing Courses:
| Sl.No. | Name of the Course | Eligibility for Admission |
| 1. | ANM | 12th pass instead of 10th pass, training shall be of 2 years instead of 1 ½ year |
| 2. | General nursing and midwifery | The latest revision of syllabus by INC in 2004 has increased the duration of the course from three years to three and half years. The basic entrance has become intermediate or class 12 instead of earlier class 10. Both science and arts students are eligible. The focus of general nursing education is the care of sick in the hospital. Schools of nursing are generally attached to teaching hospitals. Three Board examinations are conducted, one at the end of each year. On passing the candidates are registered as registered nurse and mid-wife by the respective state nursing council. |
| 3. | Bachelor of nursing course (B.Sc. Nursing) | Pass the 2 year of pre university exam or equivalent as recognized by concerned university with science subjects i.e. Physics, biology and chemistry. Students of vocational nursing course with qualifying bridge course. |
| 4. | Bachelor of nursing course for qualified nurses (Post basic B.Sc. Nursing) | INC has recognized two modes of programmes at this level. A. Regular B.Sc (Post Basic) course for those who have 10+2 + GNM (General Nursing & Midwifery) which has a duration of 2 years. B. Distance B.Sc (Post Basic) course: For those who have 10+2 GNM + 2 year Exp which has a duration of 3 years Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU). |
Master Degree Courses in Nursing in India and Eligibility:
Degree of master of nursing (M.Sc. Nursing)
The candidate seeking admission in Master Degree of Nursing must:
- Have passed B.Sc Nursing/post certificate B.Sc. or nursing degree of any university.
- Have a minimum of one year of experience after obtaining B.Sc in hospitals or nursing educational institutions or community health setting.
- For B.Sc nursing post certificate, no such experience is needed after graduation the candidate shall be a registered nurse or registered midwife for admission to medical surgical nursing, community health nursing, pediatric nursing, obstetric and gynecological nursing and psychiatric nursing.
- The candidate shall be selected on merit judged on the basis of academic performances in B.Sc nursing, post certificate B.Sc or nursing and selection tests.
Master of philosophy programme in nursing (M.Phil in nursing)
In 1980 RAK college of nursing started, M.Phil programme as a regular and part time course. Since then several universities started taking students for the M.Phil course in nursing.
Prominent among these are:
- MGR Medical University
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences
- SNDT University
- Delhi University
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Doctorate of philosophy in nursing (Ph.D. in Nursing)
Earlier Indian nurses were sent abroad for Ph.D. programme. Ph.D. programmes in nursing was first started in India in 1992.
Universities where Ph.D. programmes are conducted in India include:
- Ph.D. Consortium by Indian Nursing Council, RUGHS and WHO
- RAK College of Nursing, New Delhi
- NIMHANS, Bangalore
- Manipal University
Eligibility:
- The candidate should be post-graduate in nursing with more than 55% of aggregates of marks.
- Should have research background
- May or may not have published articles in journals
- The course duration is for regular Ph.D. course is 3 years and for distance is 4 years
Final Thought on Scope of Nursing Practice in India:
As the scope of nursing practice in India has expanded than before and the nursing is not only centered in the hospital and bedside nursing, the scopes of career opportunities in nursing are extended. The above mentioned courses of nursing in India are very much acceptable not only in India but also outside India. These courses can provide you a reliable certificate to establish your career in the field of nursing.
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