What qualifications are required to become a Nurse?

With increasing healthcare awareness among the people and the general development of medical services, the area of scope for nursing professionals in this field is growing at a fast rate. Find out the essentials of becoming a Nurse. 

Nursing as a career is growing at a fast pace not only in developed but also in developing countries such as India owing to rising health awareness and medical facilities globally. The demand for nurses in and outside of India has further made this profession a choice for many. So, if you are also planning to build a career in the global healthcare sector as a nurse, here is what you need to study: 

Nursing Eligibility

To become a nurse, the minimum educational qualification required is a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing & Midwifery, BSc Nursing, from a well-known institute.

Nursing Eligibility Criteria

To be entitled to join BSc in Nursing you must have completed 10+2 with Chemistry, Physics, and Biology as the main subject with 50 percent marks for some top-rated colleges providing this course.

Courses in Nursing 

BSc Nursing

• Interested candidate has to take part in an entrance test conducted by several state and Independent medical educational bodies to admit candidates in several teaching institutes attached with it as per the position of the candidate in the entrance examination. These tests are typically held in May or June and comprise Objective type questions based on the subject of related subjects the results of these exams are usually out by June/July. But some colleges also give admission based on the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying class.
• After finishing 3-4 years one has to undergo all the key features of the field of study. Besides the academic part, nurses also undergo practical training programs in hospitals or state-run or private nursing homes or hospitals as an Assistant/junior Nurses. 

GNM or General Nursing and Midwifery

To be entitled to join General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) one should be 10+2 with Physics, Biology, and Chemistry as the main subject with no less than 50% marks for some highly rated colleges offering this course.

Candidates have to sit for an entrance test carried out by Independent medical education and the various state bodies to admit applicants in different teaching institutes attached with it as per the grade of the candidate in the entrance examination. These exams are typically held in May-June and comprise of Objective type questions based on the subject of related subjects. The results of these examinations are typically out by June/July. But, some colleges also give admission based on % of marks acquired in the qualifying class.

After completing the course along with mandatory practical training one can choose some job in state-run or private nursing homes or hospitals as a junior/assistant nurse. 

Auxiliary Nurse Midwife/Health Worker (ANM)                                       

• To apply for this course one should pass class 10.
• Interested candidates can apply for this in individual institutions based on seat availability. In the case of more candidates then the number of seat and percentage of marks in the 10th class is given priority.
• After finishing this practically oriented training one can seek a job in a state or private-run hospital or health care centre as a health care assistant. 

MSc Nursing

• To be eligible to join MSc Nursing a Master’s degree one should complete B.Sc.
• Interested candidates can take an entrance examination conducted by the diverse autonomous medical educational bodies and the University to permit candidates in MSc Nursing according to the rank of the candidate in the entrance exam. But, some universities/institutions also give admission based on percentage of marks attained in the qualifying
• After completing this course one can go for a job in state or privately run nursing homes or hospitals as Staff Nurse. 

Nurse Career Prospects

Listed below are some of the career prospects for this field:

• Health care Assistant/Assistant Nurse
• Nurse
• Staff Nurse
• Head Nurse

Salary

With increasing healthcare awareness among the people and the general development of medical services, the area of scope for nursing professionals in this field is broadening at a fast rate. So we can predict a wider scope for these professionals both in terms of money in addition to other remunerations. One can get anything around INR 10,000-15,000 to start with and go up to INR 30,000-40,000 with expertise and experience in the field. 

Another scope for nursing professionals is that they can also take up private independent tasks of healthcare from persons who need their services during the time of recovery after a disease at their residence and charge around INR 20,000-25,000 based on the demand and skill in the healthcare segment.