Choosing a Career as a Nurse in India

 About Nursing:

The moment we hear Nursing directly reminds us of Curing. Yes, Nursing is one of the most sought-after services in India. Florence Nightingale, an English nurse, was the pioneer of the Modern nursing system practiced globally. Nursing is a practice to take care of sick people with the help of healthcare science. 

The nursing career is a very hardworking, challenging, respectful, and merciful profession, very much suits women. Nursing is an essential part of the medical system.

If we have to describe Nurse in a phrase, Nurses are the hospitality of the hospital.

So if you’re aspiring to pursue a career as a Nurse, you’re at the right place! Keep reading to learn more about what it takes to become a nurse in India.

What exactly Nurses do?

As said earlier, nursing is a practice to take care of sick people with the help of healthcare science. Besides this, a nurse keeps the patient records, dispenses the medicines, and operates the medical equipment with routine duties.

Nursing is one of the most civilized careers in the world. Nurses are required in hospitals, community health care centers, and other medical service areas. Nurses are the key elements in the healthcare sector and play an important role. 

As we are seeing, nurses have critical roles and responsibilities during this COVID-19 pandemic. They are continuing to be at the front line of patient care in hospitals and actively involved with monitoring the community. 

Nurses have to ensure that all patients acquire high-quality services irrespective of their infectious condition, and also engage in planning for anticipated COVID-19 related outbreaks, that increased the demand for nursing and healthcare services. 

Moreover, nurses are at the front line of COVID-19 outbreak response and exposed to danger that puts them at risk of infection. Currently, there has been confusion about the methods of transmission of COVID-19. They must be supported to protect themselves with infection prevention procedures, the sole duty of the nurse is toward the patient.

Who can become a Nurse?

Steps to become a nurse:

1. Choose a Nursing Path:

When you choose your career path, think about the work environment you prefer Also, consider what role you want to play, like supporting medical staff as part of a team, Licensed practical nurse (LPN) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) suit you well. If you want to manage other nurses and assistants, a Registered Nurse (RS) career is likely a good fit.

2. Earn a Degree:

The career path you’re interested in pursuing will be based on the type of nursing degree you need. 

Nursing courses include classroom instruction as well as clinical experience. Clinical practice allows you to gain hands-on knowledge, with real-life scenarios.

3. Get Licensed:

 Once you complete your education, you’re required to take up an exam to demonstrate your knowledge and nursing skills.

4. Become a Continuous Learner:

With advanced technologies and treatments, the healthcare industry is constantly growing. Working on the front lines of healthcare requires nurses to stay updated and educated so they can remain effective as their responsibilities change.

• Take continuing education programs

• Get certified

• Earn an advanced degree

Scope of a Nurse in India

With the increasing demand for healthcare services, nursing degree programs have opened doors for vast employment opportunities. The level of healthcare services has demanded skilled, well-trained, and well-informed staff. 

After completing a nursing degree, candidates can be recruited in private or government hospitals, nursing homes, training institutes, clinics, old age homes, military services, and various other areas.

Career options after Nursing degree:

Students after completing a Nursing course have many job opportunities in every sphere of the healthcare industry.

• Government and Private Hospitals

• Clinics and Health Departments

• Public/Community Health Nursing

• Railways and Public sector medical departments

• Military Nursing

• Pediatric Nursing

• Psychiatric Nursing

• Training Institutes/Schools as educators

Following are the popular job profile for nurses:

• Registered Nurse (RN):

These are the nurses who have been registered by medical institutions. They work within the hospital premises with the doctors or physicians to perform tasks related to medical settings.

•  Nurse Practitioner (NP):

These are professional nurses who are usually under the supervision of a doctor or physician. NP’s can also work as independent medical practitioners, diagnosing diseases and prescribing medicines.  

• Travel Nurse:

As the name suggests, these are the professionals who work nationally and internationally temporarily, it is equivalent to that of a registered nurse.

• Home Health Nurse:

These are the nurses who provide medical help and support to the patients at their homes.

• Clinical Nurse Specialist:

The role of the clinical nurse includes focusing on patients and their families or handling administration and nursing departments.

Salary of different nursing professionals in India:

           

Job Roles	Monthly Salary (in Rs)
Staff Nurse (GNM)	10,000- 15,000
Staff nurse B.Sc	11,000- 25,000
Home Nurse	9,000- 16,000
Nursing Supervisor	18,000- 30,000

Qualification required to become a Nurse

• Candidates should have passed 10+2 or an equivalent from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as major subjects.

• The eligibility criteria are to have a minimum of 45% marks in 10+2 or an equivalent. 

• Students can apply with a passing certificate of 10th boards with an aggregate of 50% from a recognized board for admission into courses like Auxiliary Nursing and Midwife.

• A valid passing mark sheet of the entrance exam for nursing courses is mandatory for admission in UG, Diploma, PG, and Ph.D. courses.

• An important requirement for getting employed is to register with a State Nursing Council.

• Besides these courses, candidates looking forward to building a career as a nurse can opt for a particular specialization by going for Post Basic Speciality (1-year diploma) courses.

Here is some top Nursing specialization:

• Neuro Nursing

• Critical Care Nursing

• Emergency & Disaster Nursing

• Neonatal Nursing

• Rehabilitation Nursing

Top Nursing Colleges in India

Many nursing colleges offer various nursing courses with specializations.

• SEA Group of Institutions, Bangalore

• AIIMS Delhi

• CMC, Vellore

• Armed Forces Medical College, Pune

• Madras Medical College, Chennai

• KLE University, Belgaum

• NIMS University, Jaipur