Which course is the best alternative to B.Sc. Nursing (Post Basic) Course: Shiksha Poll revealed
Deciding to become a Nurse is the first step and the most important step in making the goal a reality. However, choosing between the Nursing course options may get overwhelming. Though Post Basic BSc Nursing is a popular undergraduate-level program providing a deeper understanding of nursing practices, patient care, and healthcare management, candidates may get confused between similar options, such as GNM, ANM, BSc Nursing, and Diploma in Nursing.
According to the opinion poll results run by Shiksha.com, 58% of students believe that BSc Nursing is the best alternate course for BSc Nursing Post Basic. Interested candidates can continue reading the article for more details.
This article offers an overview of Post Basic BSc Nursing alternative courses and a comparison between all of them.
- Post Basic BSc Nursing Vs GNM
- Post Basic BSc Nursing Vs ANM
- Post Basic BSc Nursing Vs BSc Nursing
- Post Basic BSc Nursing Vs Diploma in Nursing
- Shiksha's Poll Analysis
Post Basic BSc Nursing Vs GNM
While GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) is a diploma-level course for individuals who wish to serve the healthcare field, Post Basic BSc Nursing can be opted for after the GNM course, for higher job roles. Here are some basic differences between the two:
| Parameters |
Post Basic BSc Nursing |
GNM |
|---|---|---|
| Course Name |
Post Basic BSc Nursing |
General Nursing and Midwifery |
| Course Level |
Undergraduate |
Undergraduate |
| Course Duration |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Course Objective |
Prepare registered nurses for advanced roles and provide deeper knowledge and skills in the healthcare field. |
Train students for Nursing practices in rehabilitation, mental health care, maternity care, post-traumatic care, etc. |
| Course Eligibility |
Class 12 from a recognized board and be registered as Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (RNRM). |
Class 12 from a recognized board with any stream. |
| Core Subjects |
Nursing Foundation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Psychology, etc. |
Anatomy and Physiology, Community Health Nursing, Nutrition, Child Health Nursing, etc. |
| Career Options |
Critical Care Nurses, Nurse Instructors, Nurse Educators, Paramedic Nurses, etc. |
Home Care Nurses, Community Health Nurses, Travel Nurses, Mental Health Nurses, etc. |
| Average Salary |
INR 4.4 LPA |
INR 2.9 LPA |
Note: The information is sourced from various external sites and may vary.
Post Basic BSc Nursing Vs ANM
While an ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) is focused on community health and basic nursing skills, the Post Basic BSc Nursing is opted for by registered nurses. Here are some basic differences between the two:
| Parameters |
Post Basic BSc Nursing |
ANM |
|---|---|---|
| Course Name |
Post Basic BSc Nursing |
Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery |
| Course Duration |
2 Years |
2 Years |
| Course Level |
Undergraduate |
Undergraduate |
| Course Objective |
Prepare registered nurses for advanced roles and provide deeper knowledge and skills in the healthcare field. |
Provides Nursing education, particularly in maternal and child health. |
| Course Eligibility |
Class 12 from a recognized board and be registered as Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (RNRM). |
Class 12 from a recognized board with any stream. |
| Core Subjects |
Nursing Foundation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Psychology, etc. |
Community Health Nursing, Health Promotion, Child Health Nursing, Primary Health Care Nursing, Midwifery, etc. |
| Career Options |
Critical Care Nurses, Nurse Instructors, Nurse Educators, Paramedic Nurses, etc. |
Community Health Workers, Home Nurses, Rural Health Workers, Nurse Educators, Midwives, etc. |
| Average Salary |
INR 4.4 LPA |
INR 2.2 LPA |
Note: The information is sourced from various external sites and may vary.
Post Basic BSc Nursing Vs BSc Nursing
BSc Nursing is a full-fledged UG program providing nursing education, while Post Basic BSc Nursing is for registered nurses (GNM diploma holders) seeking to advance their knowledge and skills. See the differences between the two in the table below:
| Parameters |
Post Basic BSc Nursing |
BSc Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Course Name |
Post Basic BSc Nursing |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| Course Duration |
2 Years |
4 Years |
| Course Level |
Undergraduate |
Undergraduate |
| Course Objective |
Prepare registered nurses for advanced roles and provide deeper knowledge and skills in the healthcare field. |
A UG-degree program to provide an all-inclusive knowledge in the healthcare field, including patient care, medical procedures, and healthcare management. |
| Course Eligibility |
Class 12 from a recognized board and be registered as Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (RNRM). |
Class 12 with PCB and English Core/Elective subjects with a minimum of 45% aggregate from a recognized board. |
| Core Subjects |
Nursing Foundation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Psychology, etc. |
Anatomy, Physiology, Genetics, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Midwifery, and Obstetrical Nursing, etc. |
| Career Options |
Critical Care Nurses, Nurse Instructors, Nurse Educators, Paramedic Nurses, etc. |
Staff Nurses, Military Nurses, Nurse Managers, Clinical Instructors, Nurse Educators, etc. |
| Average Salary |
INR 4.4 LPA |
INR 5 LPA |
Note: The information is sourced from various external sites and may vary.
Post Basic BSc Nursing Vs Diploma in Nursing
While the Post Basic BSc Nursing is focused on providing advanced knowledge and skills, a Diploma in Nursing offers foundational nursing knowledge and skills for direct patient care. See the table below for more differences between them:
| Parameters |
Post Basic BSc Nursing |
Diploma in Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Course Name |
Post Basic BSc Nursing |
Diploma in Nursing |
| Course Duration |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Course Level |
Undergraduate |
UG and PG |
| Course Objective |
Prepare registered nurses for advanced roles and provide deeper knowledge and skills in the healthcare field. |
Providing fundamental knowledge of Nursing, Health Economics, Community Diseases, and more. |
| Course Eligibility |
Class 12 from a recognized board and be registered as Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (RNRM). |
Class 12 from a recognized board in any stream. |
| Core Subjects |
Nursing Foundation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Psychology, etc. |
Anatomy and Psychology, Microbiology, Community Health Nursing, Nutrition, Environmental hygiene, etc. |
| Career Options |
Critical Care Nurses, Nurse Instructors, Nurse Educators, Paramedic Nurses, etc. |
Nursing Assistants, Community Health Nurses, Emergency Nurses, Nursing In-charge, etc. |
| Average Salary |
INR 4.4 LPA |
INR 2.8 LPA |
Note: The information is sourced from various external sites and may vary.
Shiksha's Poll Analysis
According to the recent poll conducted by Shiksha, students are exploring a variety of Nursing paths as alternatives to the Post Basic BSc Nursing program. The results show a diverse preference: 25% of students opted for the GNM Course, whereas only 8% chose the ANM and Diploma in Nursing program, respectively. Meanwhile, 58% of total respondents selected the BSc Nursing program, pointing to the appeal of studying a full-fledged undergraduate degree program in the Nursing field.

Akansha Bisht is an education content specialist with over 1 year of experience in student guidance and academic writing. At Shiksha.com, she is focused on helping students get the right courses by simplifying the d
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No, a BSc Nursing and an ANM are not equivalent. ANM, or Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery, is a Diploma programme that concentrates on educating nurses for positions as community health professionals. Students learn how to maintain medical equipment, set up an operating room, promptly give patients their medications, and maintain patient records in small communities in this course. The programme is primarily concerned with fundamental instruction.
A four-year undergraduate degree plan in nursing is known as the BSc Nursing. Anyone who has successfully finished a nursing Diploma (ANM or GNM) or who has completed class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology topics is qualified to apply for the curriculum. The primary goal of the BSc Nursing programme is to equip students to provide medical care for the ill and injured, hence the curriculum includes courses in Biochemistry, Nutrition, Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, and other subjects.