Updated on Jun 14, 2024 11:06 IST
Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaSenior Executive Content

A Nursing and Midwifery career scope in India offers a fulfilling and vital role in the healthcare system, marked by a deep commitment to patient care and community health. With the growing demand for healthcare services and government initiatives to improve healthcare access, the Nursing and Midwifery career scope presents ample opportunities for growth and specialization.

Nursing and Midwifery career scope provides various job opportunities such as Certified Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Administrators/Managers, Public Health Nurses, Home Nurses, etc. The Nursing and Midwifery salary offered at entry-level positions ranges between INR 1.8 - 3.6 LPA, for mid-level profiles INR 3.6 - 6 LPA and for senior-level profiles INR 6 - 9 LPA. 

Nursing and Midwifery graduates can either go for jobs or choose to pursue further options such as MSc Nursing or candidates who are interested in the Management field can further pursue Hospital Management courses. The top recruiters where candidates can kickstart their Nursing and Midwifery careers are The Indian Red Cross Society, Community Health Centres, Max Hospital, Manipal Hospital, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, Fortis Healthcare, Medanta Medicity, etc.

The popular colleges that offer Nursing and Midwifery courses are Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Ahilya Bai College of Nursing, Parul University, Integral University, etc.

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Nursing & Midwifery Syllabus: Check Semester-wise Latest Syllabus

Nursing and Midwifery Career: Quick Facts

  • There are approximately 29 million nurses and 2.2 million midwives worldwide. The WHO projects a shortage of 4.5 million nurses and 310,000 midwives by 2030. 
  • Women make up 67% of the global health and social workforce, compared to 41% in all employment sectors, with nursing and midwifery comprising a substantial portion of the female workforce. 
  • Over 80% of the world's nurses work in countries that contain half of the global population, and one in eight nurses works in a different country from where they were born or trained.

Helpful Links for Nursing and Midwifery Career:

List of Top Nursing Entrance Exams in India

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Top Medical Colleges in India (according to NIRF Ranking '23)

Top Career Profiles in Nursing and Midwifery

All of us consider financial security when choosing our careers. But to execute it, tenacity and enthusiasm are essential. The field of Nursing education research offers a variety of well-paying careers. For midwives, India offers a variety of jobs and competitive remuneration. 

The following are some of the highest-paying and most challenging job profiles for midwives.

Job Profiles

Description

Average Salary

Certified Midwives

Certified Midwives are trained and licensed healthcare professionals who provide prenatal, labour, and delivery care, as well as postpartum and newborn care, to women and their families. 

INR 3.3 LPA

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Clinical Nurse Specialists are advanced practice nurses who specialize in a specific area of patient care, such as cardiology, oncology, or paediatrics.

INR 3.9 LPA

Nurse Administrators/Managers

Nurse Administrators or Managers are advanced practice nurses who have taken on leadership roles in healthcare organizations. 

INR 5.5 LPA

Public Health Nurses

Public Health Nurses are registered nurses who work in the community to promote and protect the health of individuals and populations. 

INR 4 LPA

Home Nurses

Home nurses are healthcare professionals who provide medical care and support to patients in their own homes. 

INR 2.5 LPA

Note: This average salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.

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Emerging Trends in Nursing and Midwifery

Emerging trends in Nursing and Midwifery reflect advancements in technology, shifts in healthcare delivery models, and evolving patient needs. 

Here are some of the key trends shaping the future of Nursing and Midwifery career scope:

  • Telehealth and Telemedicine: Utilization of digital technologies to deliver healthcare services remotely.
  • Increased Focus on Mental Health: Greater emphasis on mental health care and the integration of mental health services into general healthcare.
  • Interprofessional Collaboration: Enhanced teamwork among healthcare professionals from different disciplines.
  • Integration of AI: Use of AI for patient monitoring, data analysis, and predictive analytics.
  • Health Informatics: Integration of electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information technologies.

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Nursing and Midwifery Scope in India: Jobs, Salary and Further Education

Opportunities in a wide range of sectors are available to students in Nursing and Midwifery courses. Nursing and Midwifery in India play a crucial role in the healthcare system, offering a wide range of career opportunities and responsibilities. 

The Nursing and Midwifery career scope of these professions is broad and expanding due to increasing healthcare needs, technological advancements, and evolving healthcare delivery models. 

Courses After Nursing and Midwifery

After completing Nursing and Midwifery courses, there are several advanced and specialized educational paths available for career progression and skill enhancement. 

Here are some prominent courses and programs that Nursing and Midwifery graduates can pursue:

Nursing and Midwifery Top Recruiters in India

There are numerous leading employers for Nursing and Midwifery graduates in India. The recruitment process for graduates from these courses can differ based on the organization and specific job criteria. 

Below is a list of prominent companies in India that hire Nursing and Midwifery diploma holders.

Nursing and Midwifery Top Recruiters

The Indian Red Cross Society

Community Health Centres

Max Hospital

Manipal Hospital

Apollo Hospital

Fortis Healthcare

Medanta Medicity

Columbia Asia Hospital

Wockhardt Hospitals

Global Hospitals

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Best Nursing and Midwifery Colleges for Placements

Nursing and Midwifery courses are offered by a large number of colleges and institutions in India. If candidates want to study GNM and get high placements, they might wonder which are the best Nursing and Midwifery colleges in India. 

Below is a list of some of the top Nursing and Midwifery colleges along with their highest CTC. 

Nursing and Midwifery Colleges

Average Package

Ahilya Bai College of Nursing

8 LPA

Assam Down Town University

2.02 - 5.5 LPA

Indian Academy Degree College

4.5 LPA

Usha Martin University

4.1 LPA

College of Nursing, Pune

4.1 LPA

Baddi University of Emerging Sciences and Technology

4 LPA

Rabindranath Tagore University

3.96 LPA

Srinivas University

3.8 LPA

GITAM

3.6 LPA

Note: This information is sourced from the official website/media reports/NIRF website and may vary.

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Nursing and Midwifery Career FAQs

Q. What are the responsibilities of nurses and midwives?

A. Nurses and midwives play vital roles in the healthcare system, providing comprehensive and compassionate care to patients. Nurses are responsible for assessing health conditions, administering treatments, educating patients, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure integrated care. 

They perform various medical procedures, respond to emergencies, and advocate for patients' rights and needs. Midwives specialize in maternal and newborn health, offering prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care. 

Q. What nurse profession is ideal?

A. The ideal Nursing profession depends on an individual's interests, strengths, career goals, and the specific healthcare needs they wish to address. 

Here are some considerations and options that might help identify the best fit:

Job Profiles

Roles

Registered Nurse 

General patient care, administering medications, coordinating with doctors, and educating patients.

Nurse Practitioner

Diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and managing patient care.

Critical Care Nurse

Providing intensive care to critically ill or injured patients.

Pediatric Nurse

Caring for infants, children, and adolescents, including administering vaccinations and managing chronic conditions.

Q. Are there good careers in nursing and midwifery?

A. Yes, the Nursing and Midwifery career scope is vast in India. For the upcoming ten years, nurse-midwives employment prospects are promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that between 2020 and 2030, the number of nurse-midwives will rise by 10.96%.

Further, there are numerous rewarding and fulfilling career opportunities in Nursing and Midwifery. These professions offer a variety of roles and specializations, providing career growth, job stability, and the chance to make a significant impact on patient care and public health. 

Q. Is working as a midwife stressful?

A. Yes, working as a midwife can indeed be stressful due to the high level of responsibility and the critical nature of the job. Midwives are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of both mother and baby during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum, which involves managing potential complications and making quick, crucial decisions. 

The job often requires long and irregular hours, including nights and weekends, which can lead to physical and emotional fatigue. 

Additionally, midwives must provide emotional support to expectant mothers and their families, which can be demanding, especially in high-pressure situations. 

Q. Can nurses perform surgery?

A. No, surgical procedures cannot be carried out by nurses on their own. Before, during, and after surgical procedures, nurses can play a variety of functions.

While nurses do not perform surgery independently, they play essential roles in the surgical team, providing critical support and ensuring the smooth and safe execution of surgical procedures. 

Advanced practice roles involve more direct participation in surgical tasks, but always under the supervision of a licensed surgeon.

Q. Can I open a clinic after GNM?

A. Yes, you can open a clinic after completing General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) in India. However, there are specific guidelines and regulations you must follow:

  • Registration: Ensure you are registered with the State Nursing Council. 
  • Legal Requirements: Obtain necessary licenses and approvals from local health authorities and municipal bodies. 

Q. Who earns more GNM or BSc nursing?

A. The average salary of GNM is INR 2.6 LPA while that of a BSc Nursing is INR 3.9 LPA.

Generally, individuals with a BSc Nursing degree tend to earn more than those with a General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) diploma. 

While GNM graduates can also have successful careers, the additional qualifications and broader scope of practice associated with a BSc Nursing degree generally lead to higher earnings.

Q. What is the most difficult part of being a midwife?

A. The most difficult part of being a midwife often involves managing the high-stress and emotionally intense situations that arise during childbirth and prenatal care. 

Midwives frequently deal with unpredictable and sometimes life-threatening complications that require quick, precise decision-making and action. 

Q. I am considering being a midwife. What are its pros and cons?

A. Choosing to become a midwife can be a rewarding yet challenging career path. Here are some of the key pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

  • Variety of Work Settings: Midwives can work in various environments, including hospitals, birthing centres, clinics, and home births.
  • Strong Demand: There is a consistent demand for midwives, particularly in areas with a shortage of healthcare providers, offering good job security.
  • Professional Autonomy: Midwives often have a high degree of autonomy in their practice, making critical decisions in prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal care.

Cons: 

  • High Stress and Responsibility: The job involves significant responsibility in managing complications and making critical decisions under pressure.
  • Long and Irregular Hours: Midwives often work long, irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, which can affect work-life balance.
  • Physical Demands: The job can be physically demanding, requiring long hours on your feet and the ability to handle physically strenuous situations.

Q. What is the difference between a nurse and a midwife?

A. The primary difference between a nurse and a midwife lies in their specialized training and areas of focus. Nurses, including those with general nursing qualifications like GNM or BSc Nursing, are trained to provide a wide range of healthcare services across various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health centres.

Midwives, on the other hand, are specifically trained to care for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Their expertise is centred on maternal and newborn health, including prenatal care, labour and delivery, and postnatal support. 

Popular Nursing & Midwifery Specializations

Following are the most popular Nursing & Midwifery Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Popular Nursing & Midwifery UG Courses

Following are the most popular Nursing & Midwifery UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Nursing & Midwifery PG Courses

Following are the most popular Nursing & Midwifery PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Nursing & Midwifery. Students interested in pursuing a career on Nursing & Midwifery, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

26 Nov ' 24 - 29 Nov ' 24

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25 Nov ' 24

RUHS BSc Nursing Round-2 Counselling: Seat Allotm...

20 Sep ' 24 - 25 Sep ' 24

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19 Sep ' 24

AIIMS BSc (H) Nursing: Open round counselling sea...

Sep '24

Indian Army BSc Nursing Exam 2024

TENTATIVE

29 Jul ' 24 - 9 Aug ' 24

Indian Army BSc Nursing Application Forms (Extend...

26 Oct ' 24 - 30 Oct ' 24

JCECE Counselling Downloading of Seat Allotment L...

25 Oct ' 24

JCECE Counselling Seat Allotment

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You need to pay about Rs 85000 in first year for B.Sc Nursing in ITM University Gwalior 

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To work in the psychiatric field in the NHS after a BSc in Nursing, you can pursue a Psychiatric Nursing course. This course is a two-year specialisation that focuses on caring for people with mental health issues. 

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  7. Work on weak areas.
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