The nursing sector is one of the most respectable and notable jobs in the healthcare sector. With thousands of aspirants joining every other day, it is indeed a growing sector. In India, just like we have governmental authorities and legislations to manage engineering, dentistry, management studies of discipline among others, the Indian Nursing Council is also such a body for nursing education.
Nursing education in Maharashtra is in focus these days because of the recent ruling on validity of nursing degrees in this state. Why this is important? Well, you will soon find out below.
A recent judgment by the Bombay High Court ruled out that the Indian Nursing Council had no authority henceforth, to grant recognitions or approvals to institutes imparting nursing education in state of Maharashtra. This is because of a petition filed by the Private Nursing Schools and Colleges Management Association in Maharashtra that has membership of over 400 nursing schools and colleges.
Guess that’s why, it is important to know about the validity of the nursing diploma or degree courses before you pursue them,not only this state, but others too.
So now, these nursing schools and colleges are valid, only with their recognition under Maharashtra Nursing Council and affiliation to the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. So, don’t worry if you don’t see the INC tag now on these colleges’ websites. As per this judgment, these nursing institutions don’t require any recognition from INC, but only from respective state council of the state.
This judgment was argued on the grounds of the sole role of INC; evaluation of standards of Nursing education, through adherence by appropriate syllabus, norms of training and appropriate infrastructure for conducting courses by nursing educational institutions.
There have been similar rulings in the past by Supreme Court and High courts of Kerala and Karnataka.
Now, the part that requires caution- validity of these nursing degrees and diplomas! This ruling mainly referred to the Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery, Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife course, Bachelor of Nursing (Post Basic) and M.Sc. Nursing courses.
Also, what’s important to remember is that these courses would be valid only in Maharashtra. So, one can’t work outside this state or country after studies from any of these nursing institutes. No worries, this notification will be soon up on the official websites of Maharashtra Nursing Council and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences.
Let’s find out in detail about these nursing courses.
- Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery nursing (GNM)
First one is Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery. It basically deals with education in general nursing, health care and midwifery. This diploma is3½ years long, and includes 6 months of intense internship.
Students must be 17 years and not more than 35 years of age to pursue this diploma. A 10+2 Science stream (PCB subjects) level pass with 40-45% marks is enough to be eligible. Also a registered nurse with ANM (Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery) Diploma, can pursue this Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery.
Now after course completion, one has to register with the State Nurse Registration Council. If you wish to study further, then B.Sc. Nursing (Post Basic) course is an option.
In terms of job opportunities, one can easily find work as a Staff Nurse, Home Nurse, Health Visitor and Community Health Worker in public health centers, government hospitals and dispensaries, nursing homes, NGOs, Old age homes, private hospitals and clinics and rural health centers. If interested, one can also work in nursing education field, as a tutor or educator.
Salary of a GNM nurse can vary with job profile position, work experience and job location. Usually, a starting salary of INR 10,000- 24,000 p.m. is offered to staff nurse with Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery,
- Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife course (ANM)
Next on list is the ANM course. This one year diploma deals with health care education of various individuals. The principles of working as basic health workers, with focus on children, women and elderly health care, is taught.Setting up of operation theatre, timely medications for patients and maintenance of records are other major responsibilities.
A 10+2 level pass with Science (PCB) and 45% marks is needed from any recognized board to be eligible for this course. Students need to be 17 years but not exceeding 35 years of age. However, this course is strictly restricted to females.
After ANM, you can work as ICU nurse, Infection control nurse, Home Nurse, Health Visitor, Basic Health Worker.Working as nursing tutor or educator is also possible. Government and private hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages and educational institutions are some common places of employment.
For staff nurse in ICU/ Critical Care, salary can vary in INR 16-30,000. For staff nurse in operation theatre, it can be about INR 14-26,000 whereas Home Nurse can earn somewhere between INR 9-16,000. And, it is about INR 33-75,000 if employed in Private hospitals.
- Post Basic Bachelor of Science Nursing (P.B.B.Sc.)
Third is the Post Basic Bachelor of Science Nursing course. This is a type of B.Sc. (Honors), in which a candidate has done some prior studies, but not to the level of a graduation degree’. This course is ideally suitable for those with an interest in teaching field or further research.
A 10+2 level pass and a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery is seen as eligibility criteria. It is also mandatory, that the candidate is a registered nurse and midwife.
And, if you wish to study more, there are advanced Postgraduate programs to opt for. M.Sc. Nursing, P.G. Diploma in Nursing, M.Phil. Nursing or maybe even PhD!
Staff Nurse, Nursing Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, Assistant Director of Nursing, Associate Dean, Assistant Nursing Superintendent Nursing Administrators and Nursing tutor are some of the major job profiles.
Some of the common employment areas are medical writing, medical colleges, military services, private hospitals and clinics and nursing homes.
One can start as staff nurse for INR 15,000- 25,000 p.m. depending on private or government hospital and work their way up, through experience.
- Master of Nursing (M.Sc.)
Lastly, we have the M.Sc. Nursing course. This is an advanced-level postgraduate degree for nursing education and focuses on research education. And you have to be a B.Sc. graduate in nursing to pursue this two year course.
Some of the clinical specializations in M.Sc. Nursing are Orthopedic, Hospital Nursing, Public Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Military, Psychiatric, Pediatric Nursing, Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing.
Some of common job profiles are Nursing Supervisor, Nursing In-charge, Staff Nurse,Nursing tutor, Associate Professor, Vice principal or Principal in educational institutes, Head of Nursing Department, Assistant Nursing Superintendent and Director of Nursing. One can also work in different health departments such as ICU/CCU, Pediatric Intensive, Casualty, OPD, Burns, Medical and Surgical ICU, Neuro, Mental health, Gynecology, Gastroenterology among others.
One is usually employed in Super Specialty Hospitals, Private and Government hospitals, Nursing homes, Armed Forces and Military hospitals. Initially, a nurse with M.Sc. degree can earn about INR 30,000 per month and goes up to INR 70-75,000 per month with experience, expertise and job profile.
The salary range is INR 18,000-40,000 for Nursing Supervisors, INR 38,000-60,000 for Assistance Professors, INR 50,000-80,000 for Nursing Professors and INR 50,000-1,60,000 for Nursing Superintendents.
Other Salary Scope of These Courses
Many of the prominent hospital chains, railways and defense hospitals offer salaries ranging from INR 2 – 5 Lakh p.a. for entry level staff nurses. Having five year work experience, can increase the earnings from INR 3.2 to 7 Lacs p.a. They say that, higher the work expertise, higher is the salary prospects. And nursing sector is one wherein it is exactly possible!
So, that’s about it. A gist into the valid nursing diplomas and courses for you. Ultimately, making that choice of working government or private sector will shape up rest of your career along with your hard work and passion. Because, hard work and passion is one essential requisite for the nursing profession.