Time to savour ‘domestic’ gains

Sanjay Arora

Nursing is generally seen as a career that has a lot of scope abroad. Over the years it has become a trend for those with a degree or diploma in nursing to look for greener pastures abroad because of the good pay and perks in several countries. However, for those planning a career in this field in India government sector offers the maximum opportunities and job profiles. With the launch of Ayushman Bharat Yojana or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) or National Health Protection Scheme in 2018, government is pumping in a sum of Rs6,400 crore in this sector. Thus, it goes without saying that this will make government sector jobs for nursing assistants in India much more lucrative now. Various nursing vacancies are on offer in Indian Government (Public) Hospitals such as AIIMS, JIPMER, ESIC Hospital apart from the Indian Army Hospital and Nursing Corps.

Vacancies to check out

As many as 78 positions of Nursing Officers are available in Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). The application form will be available on PGI website till November 20, 2019. The last date of deposit of application fee in the bank and submission of online application/ updating of challan receipt is November 22, 2019.

All India Institute of Medical Education and Research (AIIMS), Rishikesh has also invited online applications from BSc Degree or Diploma holders for filling up 372 vacancies of Nursing Officer (Staff Nurse Grade-II), Group ‘B’. The Online Registration process has started start from November 9 onwards and will close on December 24, 2019.

National Health Mission as announced the ecruitment Notification for 71 posts of Staff Nurse. Candidates ho have completed GNM/BSc Nursing and are aged less than 40 years can apply. Application Fee: Rs150 for General and OBC Rs100 SC/ST

Selection Procedure: On the Basis Interview or Written Examination.

Last date for submitting applications is November 14, 2019.

National Health Mission websites of different states are the right place to look for vacancies for staff nurses and ANMs from time to time. Usually these posts are advertised in the first half of a year.

Institutes and Admission Process

The number of institutes offering Nurses courses in India is very large. Around 2,000 institutes offer Auxiliary Nurse and Midwifery in Nursing (ANM), 3,500 institutes offer General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), more than 2000 institutes offer BSc Nursing, more than 800 offer Post Basic BSc Nursing, more than 643 offer MSc Nursing and around 350 institutes offer post basic diploma in Nursing (PBDP). In addition, IGNOU offers several distance courses namely Post-Graduate Diploma in Maternal and Child Health (PGDMCH), Post-Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine (PGDGM), BSc Nursing (Post Basic) (BScN (PB)), Diploma in Nursing Administration (DNA), Diploma in Critical Care Nursing (DCCN).

Courses

1. After Class X: 18-month Auxiliary Nurse Midwife/ Multi-Purpose Health Worker: This course is conducted by various hospitals all over the country. Admission at this stage is normally on basis of merit of Class 10th result.

2. After Class XII:

• Three-year Diploma in General Nursing: This course is open to students who have completed Class XII or equivalent. Most nursing/ medical colleges prefer students who studied science at Plus II level, however, a few colleges/ training institutes are also open to non-science students. It is important to have an aptitude for physics, chemistry, and biology group of subjects. Some states give merit-based admission, others conduct an entrance exam , mostly objective type in English and General Science.
• Four-year BSc Nursing: This course is for those who have studied science (PCB combination) at Plus II level except for, may be a few exceptions. Admission is based on entrance exam scores. Some states also accept marks of Class XII for granting admission.
• Two-year BSc Nursing Post Basic/Certificate course: This is offered to those who have completed Plus II or equivalent in science with work experience (3-5 years) after a General Nursing Midwife training.

3. Master’s course: For those who would like to rise further in the profession with the option of teaching assignments, then 2-year Master’s degree in Nursing is also available in some colleges.

4. Nursing specialisations: Specialist courses are also available either as part of Master’s degree or a Post-Diploma course in fields such as Medical Surgical Nursing, Paediatric, Psychiatric, Obstetrics and Gynaecological, Community Health, and Rehabilitation Techniques.