Career Counseling - Nursing

About Nursing Profession
Nursing is one profession in which the element of service to humanity is very strong. It is a
service dedicated to the relief of human pain and suffering and prevention of diseases. The
profession has attained the stature of both an art and a science.
All across the world, nursing is seen as one of the noblest professions. In a hospital, from the
general ward to the operation theatre, nursing is the most important component of patient care.
Contrary to popular belief, nursing is not a second choice career for those unable to gain entry in
a medical college. The two professions, though complementary, require separate skills and
temperaments. Where the doctor's contact with the patients is fleeting, nurses are expected to
establish and maintain a relationship with them.
Eligibility:
The basic eligibility for a B.Sc. in Nursing is a 10+2 with Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
The basic eligibility for a course in General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) is also 10+2 with Biology,
Physics and Chemistry.
Duration:
Every state has arrangements for training of nurses. The following courses are offered by a
large number of hospitals / institutes spread all over the country.
• B. Sc. Nursing (4 years)
• General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) -Course (3 years)
• Auxiliary Nurse / Midwives (1 - 1/2 years)
• Multipurpose Health Workers (Male & Female) (1 year)
Personal Attributes Required
Nurses have to be compassionate; they have to have sympathy for the sick and the old, without
sentimentality and a willingness to perform what many consider menial tasks.
Nursing is a very demanding profession which calls for a great deal of personal commitment.
Nurses need.....
-To be alert, observant, show initiative and be able to act decisively
-Physical and mental stamina
-Tact, patience and sensitivity
-Maturity and a sense of humour
-Communication skills for dealing with patients, their relatives and members of staff.
Nurse’s Work
Their work covers a range of functions and responsibilities that vary with the levels of qualification
and the working environment. Some nurses concentrate entirely on bedside care, while others
manage whole groups of people. The main functional areas of nursing include - general nursing
in hospitals, nursing homes, sanatoriums as well as schools. Industrial nurses render first aid and
provide preventive and other services under an Industrial Physicist, Psychiatric nurses work with
emotionally disturbed and mentally handicapped patients, and midwives look after mothers and
children, from early pregnancy until about four weeks after the birth of the baby.
Nurses everywhere are involved in the crucial tasks of dispensing medication, keeping records of
the patients' progress, setting up and operating medical equipment, administration and several
other routine chores.
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Working Conditions
The types of hospitals vary widely from large general hospitals with a number of specialized
departments and wards, out-patients and accident and emergency departments, to much
smaller specialist units treating patients with particular health problems, e.g. orthopedic and
geriatric units. Some of the other older buildings, however, are dark and comparatively dismal.
Most hospital nurses are based in one particular ward at a time but may quite regularly move
around escorting patients to X-ray or operation theatre for example.
Job Prospects
There are various job opportunities open to those who take up Nursing:
• In various hospitals / clinics and health departments,
• In the railways and public sector medical departments,
• In private hospitals / nursing homes / clinics etc,
• Teaching / research in concerned areas of specialization.
Nursing service is primarily wage paid oriented. However, there is scope for selfemployment
also. There are opportunities to work on a part-time or daily basis in homes, private
clinics, maternity centers and nursing homes as private nurses.
Future Prospects
Anywhere in the world, the demand for qualified, skilled nurses is ever present. In India, as the
government attempts to widen the availability of health services, this demand for trained nurses
continues to grow.
The existing nurse-patient ratio ranges from 1:10 to 1:50 in most government hospitals. With
projected requirements of 1:3 and 1:5 in teaching and non-teaching hospitals, the country needs
at least another 6.6 lakh nurses by the year 2004. For those who feel that caring for people is
their vocation, there will always be work available.
Institutes
1. Institute of Nursing Education, Byculla, Mumbai- 400001 Training College Of Nursing,
J.J.Hospital, Dist.Mumbai State-Maharashtra Phone No:-3735555 Ext;2355
Courses Offered:-
Affiliation:-Under Govt.Undertaking
COURSE BRANCH ELIGIBILITYDURATIONSEATS
General
Nursing
Midwifery(For
Females)
Psychiatry(For
Males)
10+2 Science,
Preferably with
60%
3 yrs 130
Contact Person: - Mrs. S.D.Bhore-Principal
2. Leelabai Thackersey College of Nursing (Affiliated to S N D T Women's University), 1
Nathibai Thackersery Road, Mumbai- 400020
TOTAL SEATS COURSE
50 4 years B.Sc. Nursing
QUALIFICATIONS :
Candidate should have pass 12th standard examination with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as
compulsory subjects with 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC candidates).
AGE :
Minimum age is 16 years on 31st December of the year of admission.
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SELECTION :
Selection is made on the basis of merit of the qualifying examination, aptitude test and Interview.
The test consists of English, General Knowledge, Nursing Practical Test, Science and Maths
subjects.
HOW TO APPLY :
Application Form and Prospectus can be obtained in the month of March from the Principal on
payment of prescribed fee and last date for submission of form is in the month of May/June.
3. College of Nursing, Wanles Hospital, Miraj Medical College Centre, Miraj- 416410
4. Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Nursing (Affiliated to Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed
University), Katraj-Dhankawadi, Pune- 411043
TOTAL SEATS COURSE
30 4 years B.Sc. Nursing
QUALIFICATIONS :
Candidate should have pass 12th standard examination with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as
compulsory subjects with 50% marks in one attempt.
ALLOCATION OF SEATS :
Free Seats- 50%.
Payment Seats- 50%.
AGE :
Age should be minimum 17 years.
SELECTION :
Selection is made on the basis of merit of the qualifying examination and interview.
HOW TO APPLY :
Application Form and Prospectus can be had from the college on payment of the prescribed fees.
5. College of Nursing (Affiliated to Pune University), AFMC, Pune- 411040
6. College of Nursing, Armed Forces Medical College Wing, Sholapur Road, Pune-411040
TOTAL SEATS COURSE
30 4 years B.Sc. Nursing
QUALIFICATIONS :
Candidate should have pass 12th standard examination with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as
compulsory subjects with 50% marks. Only unmarried female candidates are eligible. Divorcees
or widows or those legally separated and without encumbrances are also considered.
RESERVATION OF SEATS :
SC/ST- 2 Seats.
NCC Grade II trained- 1 Seat.
AGE :
Age should be between 17 to 25 years.
SELECTION :
Selection is made on the basis of merit of the qualifying examination and aptitude test.
Examination centres are in different parts of the country depending on the number of candidates.
HOW TO APPLY :
Candidates should apply on the printed format published in the leading newspapers. Completed
applications should reach the DGMS, 4B, AG's branch, Army Headquarters, Room No.47, LBlock
Hutments, New Delhi-110001 in the month of August/September and last date for
submitting the Application Form is in the month of October. Test conducted in the month of
February/March, followed by interview in the month of May/June.
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OTHER COURSES RELATED TO NURSING
MILITARY NURSING SERVICE
Probationer Nurses are recruited for training in the following military hospitals:
Army Hospital, Delhi Cantt.
Command Hospital, Central Command, Lucknow.
Military Hospital, Jullundur Cantt.
Military Hospital, Secundrabad
I.N.H.S., Ashwini, Bombay.
Air Force Hospital, Bangalore.
B.Sc. (Nursing) : B.Sc. (Nursing) trainees Trainees are recruited for B.Sc. (Nursing) Course of the
duration of four years.
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune conducts this course.
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING
Psychiatric nursing is emotionally more demanding. The specialization course includes the study
of human development and behaviour, deviations from normal behaviour, psychophysical
disturbances and principles and practice of psychiatric nursing.
Some of the renowned training institutes in Psychiatric Nursing are :
INSTITUTE OF PSYCHIATRY, Ranchi
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND NURO - SCIENCES, Bangalore
AIIMS, New Delhi
The all India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mumbai conducts a one-year
post-graduate course in rehabilitation techniques for nurses (general) with three year experience.
Remuneration
Salaries in government hospitals are governed by fixed scales but in the private sector hospitals
and nursing homes, there is more frequent upward revision. The most lucrative prospect in
nursing continues to be exodus to the Gulf countries where salaries are very high. At home
nurses who take on assignments of personal care of bedridden or otherwise ill patients in their
own homes earn very high fees while being removed from taxing hospital schedules. Taking fulltime
care of a patient is not an easy task which is why fees for personal nursing are exorbitant.
Promotions depend upon experience and ability. In the highest positions in hospitals and other
large institutions, the responsibilities become more administrative in nature. Teaching and
research are also very good options for trained nurses and may be taken up alongside nursing
duties. At present, there is a shortage of trained nursing personnel in all spheres.
FAQs
Q. Do nurses have specific duty hours?
A. Duty hours of nurses are generally in shifts which are continuously rotated so that every
nurse has equal quotas of day and night duty. Day or night nurses, while on duty, have to be
alert and vigilant with regard to the needs of their patients. They have to be fresh and cheerful
while going about their work.