Two extensions later, 5,700 nursing seats vacant in state

Balwant Garg

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Tribune News Service

Faridkot, January 2

Despite extensions in the last date for admissions in 109 nursing colleges in the state, at least 5,700 seats are still vacant.

For the first time, even four government nursing colleges (Faridkot, Badal, Jalalabad and Goindwal Sahib) have about 100 vacant seats in BSc and MSc nursing courses.

While relaxing the eligibility criteria on December 31, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) had invited students from across the country for walk-in counselling, but not even a single aspirant turned up.

Earlier, nursing seats in government colleges were much sought-after, but this time, even the University College of Nursing in Faridkot has nine vacant seats in MSc course. At the State Institute of Nursing, Badal (Muktsar), 24 out of 25 MSc seats are vacant.

Similarly, the Institute of Nursing, Jalalabad, and Regional Centre of BFUHS, Sri Goindwal, have 12 and 28 vacant BSc seats, respectively. At least, 23 seats of GNM course are vacant at Jalalabad institute.

Initially October 31, 2018, was the last date, but over 70 per cent seats had remained vacant. The date was extended till November 30 and again till December 31, with relaxed eligibility criteria.

According to sources in BFUHS, about 500 MSc, 3,100 BSc and 2,100 B.Sc (post basic) nursing courses seats are vacant.

The authorities had even scrapped the entrance test to qualify for admission in MSc. All BSc nursing graduates are now eligible. However, even this move failed to attract many students.

The Department of Medical Education and Research had also relaxed norms to fill BSc seats. Even the candidates who had scored zero or negative marks in the entrance test were made eligible.

Exams put off

The two-month delay in the admission process has taken its toll on the studies of nursing students. The teachers are yet to cover the syllabus. The BFUHS has to put off the exams due to non-completion of the course duration and syllabus, sources said.

Admission deadlines

Initially October 31, 2018, was the last date for admissions in 109 nursing colleges, but over 70 per cent seats had remained vacant. The date was extended till November 30 and again till December 31, with relaxed eligibility criteria.