Hi,

Nursing is a very noble profession. The politeness in their behavior and care that they provide to each and every patient is remarkably appreciated. To choose nursing as a profession is a holistic approach in itself. It doesn’t require further explanations. I too personally admire the extra care, friendly and polite behavior of the nursing staff. It really gives us the strength to recover soon. Florence Nightingale is well-known by all of us for his nursing profession. She still remembered by all of us as an angel of mercy. Nursing is not only to care for the sick people, but it also has a wide scope in teaching, administration, and research based jobs.

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The best thing about this profession is that it opens various job opportunities, especially for women. One can pursue this field in three ways:

• ANM (Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery): After completion of class 10^th, one can go with one and half year diploma course in Auxiliary nursing and midwifery.
• GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery): This course can be done after class 12^th with at least 40% aggregate marks in medical subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. It is a three and half year diploma course.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: This is an advanced qualification in nursing and is a post-basic program. Candidates can apply for a 2-year regular course which requires completion of class 12^th along with GNM. Students who want to study through distance learning can opt for a 3-year program which requires completion of class 12^th along with GNM. 2-years working experience is also required with this program. Students should have medical subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in class 12^th with at least 45% aggregate marks and age should be minimum 17 years to apply for the graduate program in Nursing.

One can also apply for B.sc nursing program through Indian Armed Forces. This requires Physics, Chemistry, English and Biology in class 12^th and age should be between 17-24 years. Students have to clear a medical test along with a written test. Selected candidates have to sign up a 5-year bond to serve the army.

• Specialization courses: After completion of the above qualification, one can do a one- year diploma course in any of the specialization courses for getting further growth in this field. Here is the list of such specialization courses:
• Cardiothoracic nursing
• Emergency and disaster nursing
• Critical care nursing
• Neuro nursing
• Neonatal nursing
• Nursing education and administration
• Operation Room nursing
• Oncology nursing
• Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation nursing
• Psychiatric nursing
• Practitioner in Midwifery

• Higher Qualification: Those who are interested in pursuing higher education in nursing can apply for Master Degree in Nursing followed by M.Phil. and D. degree programs.

• Skills required: Along with the qualification, nursing profession requires development in various skills such as team spirit, patient care, dedication, ability to take responsibility, decision-making, communication and negotiating skills.

The scope of nursing profession:

There was a time when there was not much scope in this profession and also this profession was not taken as a reputed one. As time passes, this profession offers various job opportunities and have a bright scope for growth in many ways:

• Staff nurse: Staff nurse has the responsibility to provide direct attention to an individual or a group of patients. One has to assist his ward manager and work under his supervision.

• Ward sister or nursing supervisor: One has the responsibility to take care of a ward or a unit to provide nursing facilities. He will be able to take complete charge of the ward. He can also assign work to his working staff in that ward and responsible for safety and comfort of patients in the same ward. He can also provide teaching sessions in a teaching hospital.

• Department nursing supervisor / Nursing superintendent / Assistant Nursing superintendent: One is responsible for supervising the nursing care and management of more than single ward. He can also get the responsibility to look after a surgical department or an outpatient department.

• Deputy nursing superintendent: One can also be promoted to deputy nursing superintendent to supervise nursing superintendent and can assist in the administration work of the hospital.

• Director of Nursing: One can get the post of director of nursing. He has the responsibility to provide nursing services and education in a hospital.

• CHN (Community Health Nurse): This is a profession in which aim is to provide nursing services to a reproductive child health programme.

• Industrial Nursing: This is a profession in which nursing is required for industrial hazards and prevention from accidents. It provides first aid and care during illness.

• Military Nursing: One can get the opportunity to work with Indian Army as a nurse. One can also follow up as a commissioned officer who can get ranks from lieutenant to major general.

• Teaching: One can also start his career as a teacher in a nursing profession. He has to instruct on various topics including planning, teaching, supervising and more.  One can be a clinical instructor, tutor, senior tutor, lecturer, reader and a professor of nursing.

• Administration: One can also get administration work in any hospital. He can also be a Deputy Director of Nursing at the state level directorate. He can also be promoted to the highest administration post as a nursing advisor to the government of India.

• Informatics: One can also get technical jobs in a nursing profession. He can use IT services to provide care to patients. It involves services such as a digital thermometer, city scan, MIR, HER and more.

One can also get the opportunity to provide overseas nursing facilities. He can get higher salaries and professional growth in this nursing profession. Only hard work and strong determination and dedication are required to get the edge of success in this profession. For further information feel free to have talks with the Professional Experts at CareerGuide. Hope this will help you!