A Career in Nursing: Colleges, Courses, Growth Prospects, Jobs & Salaries

Aspirants can look at various career options after they complete their post-graduation in nursing. Apart from working in nursing homes and hospitals, they can also work in education sectors as a reader, a lecturer, a professor, or an associate professor. 

The career of nursing involves taking care of patients suffering from all kinds of physical and psychological ailments. Nurses continually have to monitor the condition of these patients and administer prescribed medicines at standard intervals. They also help medical specialists and assist set up medical equipment in clinical laboratories and operation theatres. Nursing courses can be categorised into bachelor's degree courses (B.Sc Nursing) and master's degree courses (M.Sc Nursing). Besides, diploma courses in nursing are also offered by numerous healthcare education institutes in India such as General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) diploma courses. According to a recent report, the number population and especially those who are aged are projected to increase at a fast rate. As the population ages, there will be greater demand for healthcare professionals which include nurses.

Training/Education requirements for professionals pursuing Nursing include biology, physics and chemistry classes are particularly important to take in school to help you prepare for the physiology and anatomy courses that nursing students must take in college. The requirements to become a registered nurse include passing the XII exam with science subjects, a Diploma in Nursing (known as a GNM), and/or getting a B.Sc Nursing degree. Several nurses also desire to get a Post Basic certification in a particular area, such as neonatal nursing, pediatric nursing, psychiatric/mental health nursing, disaster, and emergency nursing or cardio-thoracic nursing. This certification is as well to a bachelor’s or master’s degree and/or diploma, which requires different training and education.

Eligibility for Nursing Admission 

• For admission into Bachelor’s Course, the student needs to have completed their Class XII with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The duration for a bachelor’s degree is typically three to four years. 
• To take admission in a Master’s Course, the candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. The Master’s degree course is for two years. 
• For admission in a Diploma Course, the minimum eligibility is Class X or equivalent. This may be a one year or two-year course, based upon the course. 
• To take admission in Ph.D in Nursing the eligibility criteria is to complete the postgraduate degree in nursing successfully.

Skills Necessary for Nursing

To thrive and to get success in this profession, one must possess the following qualities:

• Sound nursing knowledge
• Ability to work in a team
• Confidence
• Stamina to work in long shifts
• Mental and emotional strength
• Willingness to work at odd hours
• Ability to deal with ‘difficult’ patients
• Eye for detail
• Sound moral values and work ethics
• Good communication skills
• Compassion and helping nature

Cost of Nursing Course

The fees of the B.Sc in nursing courses would range from Rs 30,000-40,000 per annum. The fee of Master of Science in Nursing is Rs 30,000-1,00,000 per annum. Diploma courses such as GNM course fee is a minimum of Rs 45,000 per annum, which can go up to Rs 2 lakh per annum. 

Also read: What are the highest paying nursing professions in India?

Top Colleges to Study Nursing

Several colleges in India offer paramedical courses. However, the top-notch ones are mentioned below:

Job Roles, Growth Prospects and Salaries of Nursing Students

After a candidate finishes their course, they have lots of opportunities to choose from. They get jobs in government and private hospitals, nursing homes, old age homes, orphanages, sanatoriums, industries and the armed forces. They can also seek employment in the Indian Nursing Council, Indian Red Cross Society, State Nursing Councils and several other nursing institutions.

After completing the B.Sc. Nursing programme, you will be equipped with the relevant professional skills to apply for a position in:

• Private super-specialty hospitals
• Government hospital
• Hospice
• Nursing home
• Sanatorium
• Intensive care unit/Critical care centre
• Old-age home
• Midwifery centre
• Orphanage
• Rehab centre
• Psychiatric hospital
• Nursing college or school
• Maternity home

Future Growth Prospects in Nursing

Students can look at multiple career post-graduation in nursing. Apart from working in nursing homes and hospitals, they can also work in education sectors as the reader, lecturer, professor, and associate professor. According to a recent survey, it has been found that employment of registered nurses is expected to grow sixteen per cent from 2014 to 2024, much quicker than the average for all occupations.

Working in the nursing field can be challenging, particularly for professionals who work in the hospital and clinical settings. The good news is that nursing is also one of the most varied medical professions. Nursing careers that do not entail bedside care, for instance, a Public Health Nurse or School Nurse make up a big chunk of the medical field. Apart from this, it is simple to switch from a clinical to a non-clinical career, as most roles necessitate several years of experience in a caring environment. This includes roles in education, legal and insurance firms, and government institutions.