Nurse a uniformed dream

Sanjay Arora

If you want your career in nursing and Army life allures you, then military nursing services offers good career prospects. Only women are eligible for these services. Although there is not much difference in the role and responsibilities for nursing professionals in military and civilian set ups, but donning the olive uniform takes the challenges of nursing job a notch higher.

There are different advantages and opportunities available for nurses in military like getting a rank of Lieutenant, Captain and Major, free rations, accommodation and other facilities. They are also paid well as compared to their civilian counterparts.

They have to clear a rigorous selection process and training period though. The selection test is conducted by the Directorate General of Medical Services to get candidates for admission to four years BSc Nursing programme in six different colleges in India.

Eligibility

• Educational Qualifications: The female candidate should have passed Senior Secondary Examinations (10 2) or equivalent (12-year schooling) with biology (botany and zoology), chemistry, English and physics with at least 50 per cent marks in first attempt as a regular student from a statutory/recognised board/university/exam. Those who will be appearing for Class XII next year can also apply, but they have to submit proof of passing the qualifying exam with essential subjects and marks before joining the course.
• Nationality: Indian
• Any female candidate who is unmarried/divorced/legally separated/widow is eligible
• Date of Birth: Between October 01, 1995 – September 30, 2003 (Both these dates are inclusive)
• Physical Standards: It will be checked as per standards of the Commission in the Armed Forces as amended from time to time. X-ray examination of chest and USG (abdomen and pelvis) is done. Minimum height required is 152cm. This is reduced to148cm for Gorkha and North Eastern region candidates.

— The writer is chief mentor, Maven Career Coaching

Exam Pattern

The Directorate General of Medical Services (Army) uses a three-step way to select their required candidates.

Stage I- Written exam

This exam will be held in April. Candidates have to go through a 90-minute written test that will include topics from biology, chemistry, English, general intelligence and physics. This question paper is outlined to test your basic knowledge in different topics of physics, chemistry and biology. It is also aimed at examining the candidate’s basic understanding in English and its general awareness.

Stage II- Interview

The result of the written exam will be announced in the same month (April 2020). The selected candidates have to undergo a face-to-face interview. The panel can be a mixture of men and women interviewers. Generally, questions related to family, education and nursing are asked.

Stage III- Medical examination

After the interview, candidates have to appear in the medical examination. As per their performance, they are declared fit/unfit and results are announced by the President of the medical board.

Firstly, the result of written examination is published on their website. Once the interview and medical examination is done, a final merit list is issued.

Roles and responsibilities

The selected candidates will be called for the BSc Nursing programme. During training, the candidates are provided with free ration, accommodation, uniform allowance and monthly stipend. According to terms and conditions, these BSc nursing students will be granted permanent and short service commission at the ratio of 60:40 depending on their merit. The students of short service commission have to execute a bond of agreement stating a minimum period of 5 years military nursing service after the completion of their course.