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Manavta
18 October, 2024
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The healthcare sector goes beyond doctors. It is a vast field that leads to different job roles, from medical technicians, nurses, and therapists to even nutritionists. If you have a knack for healing and compassionate care, then you are naturally talented to become a nurse. According to the WHO standard rate, India falls short of nurses, with 1.96 nurses per 1,000 people. What does this imply for aspiring medical candidates? It highlights the dire need for skilled nurses to fill this gap.
A nurse must have the right training, strong interpersonal skills, networking, and job satisfaction. But the question is how to become a nurse. In this blog, we provide a complete guide to a nursing career. How do you pursue a nursing career, what are the right qualifications to become a nurse, what various nursing jobs are available in the market, and so on?
Let’s explore the essential steps and information to navigate towards a rewarding nursing career.
Simply follow the steps below and embark on a fulfilling career in nursing.
Choose the Right Nursing Programme – As per your needs, you can choose between diploma courses like ANM or GNM or nursing degree courses like BSc in Nursing or MSc in Nursing.
Meet the Eligibility Criteria – You must meet the university’s eligibility criteria or any additional requirement based on entrance exam performance.
Enrol to Nursing College – Research recognised and accredited colleges and submit your application before the deadlines.
Complete Your Nursing Programme – Attend your theory and practical classes diligently. Clinical training is also a mandatory aspect of the curriculum.
Obtain Your Practice License – After graduation, register with the State Nursing Council to obtain your license to practice as a nurse.
Hurray! Start practicing at clinics, hospitals, or healthcare centres.
Related: Online MBA in Hospital & Healthcare Management 2024 Guide
Do you know what are the essential nursing skills you need to have? There are both hard skills and soft skills that can improve your on-the-job performance if you are a nurse.
Whether you are pursuing a nursing course or creating a resume for a nursing job. These are the essential nursing skills that you must develop as well as mention on your resume.
Hard Skills – Deals with the technical qualities that a nurse must learn to offer effective patient care in a clinical setting.
Checking the vitals of a patient
Emergency medical care
Patient safety protocols
A thorough understanding of the latest medical technology
Soft Skills – Deals with skills that nurses have to use when dealing directly with patients.
Effective communication
Metal and physical stamina
Problem-solving skills
Coordinator and team player
Ethical practice
Related: 7 Best Medical Courses After 12th
In India, you can find various nursing courses for students at different education levels, catering to those who aspire to take the nursing profession or advance their careers in the field of healthcare.
The eligibility criteria for the different nursing courses are shared below:
The minimum age for admission is 17 years and the maximum age is 35 years.
The student shall be 10+2 passed in any discipline from a recognised board.
The students qualified in the 10+2 arts or science examination conducted by NIOS (National Institute of Open School) are also eligible.
The student shall be medically fit.
The minimum age for admission is 17 years and the maximum age is 35 years.
The student must be a 10+2 passed with proficiency in English. He/she must obtain 40% at the qualifying examination and English individually from any recognised board.
Candidates from State Open Schools recognised by the State Government and the National Institute of Open Schools (NIOS) recognised by the Central Government are eligible. However, science is preferred over any other discipline in 12th.
10+2 passed with English having 40% of marks in vocational ANM course from the school recognised by Indian Nursing Council are also eligible.
10+2 passed with English, having 40% marks in vocational stream-health care science from a recognised CBSE board, and are also eligible.
Registered ANM students with qualifying marks
The minimum age for admission is 17 years and the maximum age is 35 years.
The student must be 10+2 passed with science (PCB) & English core/English elective from a recognised board. He/she must score an aggregate of 45% marks in the qualifying exam.
Students qualifying 10+2 examination in science conducted by the National Institute of Open School with 45% marks are also eligible.
Students should be medically fit.
The candidate should be a registered nurse (RN) or a registered midwife or equivalent with any State Nursing Registration Council.
The minimum qualification requires the student to pass a B.Sc. Nursing/B.Sc. Hons. Nursing/Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing with 55% of qualifying marks.
The candidate must have a minimum of 1 year of work experience after B.Sc. Nursing.
The candidate must have atleast 1 year of work experience prior to or after B.Sc. Nursing.
Nursing is a multi-faceted profession. Understanding the role of each department is important in nursing. Here are the 7 highest paying nursing job roles to pursue (The most up-to-date salary information is also included with each job role).
Nursing assistants (certified nursing assistants – CNAs) play a critical role in providing physical care and emotional support to patients. They assist in the patient’s daily activities such as bathing, dressing and feeding. Their responsibilities also include checking up on their vital signs, helping them with medical procedures and keeping their room neat and sanitized.
A nursing assistant also coordinates with the rest of the patient’s care team and updates them immediately if encounter any issue or abnormality in the patient’s health.
Average Annual Salary of a Nursing Assistant: INR 2,23,225/-
A nurse anaesthetist is a skilled practitioner who administers anaesthesia to patients during surgeries and medical procedures. They look into patients’ medical history and determine the appropriate type and dosage of anaesthesia to be given. A certified nurse anaesthetist also observes anaesthesia levels during operations, ensures proper sedation and helps patients to have a safe and smooth recovery.
They are trained professionals, who are also adept at responding to emergencies such as allergic reactions, or changes in patients’ vital signs.
Average Annual Salary of a Nurse Anaesthetist:INR 21,80,000/-
Registered nurses (RN) play a vital role in providing the best care to patients. They assess, coordinate treatments and administer medications. They are also responsible to maintain records of the patient’s recovery. An RN has to work with physicians and coordinate with their fellow nurses to develop a personalised care plan for each patient. Registered nurses also keep track of patient’s health history and ensure smooth communication between medical staff and patients.
Average Annual Salary of a Registered Nurse (RN): INR 4,20,000/-
Clinical nurses focus on advanced patient care and specialise in certain domains like cardiology, oncology and emergency care. They are involved in hands-on care and management to provide a well-rounded approach to treatment. They review patients’ history, conduct medical tests, develop customised care plans and coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams.
Their job responsibilities also include nursing for patients with life-threatening conditions in intensive care units (ICUs). They play a key role in monitoring patients’ progress and supporting fast recovery.
Average Annual Salary of a Clinical Nurse:INR 2,47,778/-
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse who diagnoses illness, advises patients about preventive measures and prescribes treatment plans. Nurse practitioners work independently in many settings offering customised and specialised medical care.
Some practitioners often perform physical examinations, order lab tests, prescribe medications and assess patients’ symptoms to develop the right treatment plans.
Average Annual Salary of a Nurse Practitioner: INR 3,00,345/-
A pediatric nurse (also called a children’s nurse) is a healthcare professional who provides medical support to children (from infants to adolescents). They assess various developmental stages, administer vaccinations and treat common childhood illnesses.
They work in various medical settings such as hospitals, clinics, or medical campaigns. Also, play an important role in communicating with children of different abilities and interpreting the patients’ vital signs and lab results.
Average Annual Salary of a Pediatric Nurse: INR 2,74,993/-
Critical care nurses are typically employed at hospitals, emergency rooms, and specialised care units to handle emergency medical situations. They deal with patients who are in serious medical conditions, undergoing critical procedures, or recovering from severe injuries.
Their primary duties involve monitoring a patient’s ongoing progress and communicating with doctors and surgeons about the treatment plans. They respond swiftly to emergencies and ensure that patients receive the best treatment and optimal care.
Average Annual Salary of a Critical Care Nurse: INR 4,40,000/-
Nursing is a challenging, yet fulfilling career option. It is a noble profession known for helping and caring for others in their wellness journeys. Although the profession has challenges, however, its benefits and rewards outweigh its difficulties.
The 6 notable advantages of pursuing a nursing career are as follows:
One of the notable benefits of pursuing a career in nursing is a great deal of personal fulfilment. It is a noble profession that involves caring for others and helping them achieve health and wellness. This effort is the core of the nursing profession, where professionals provide holistic care and save the lives of patients.
Nursing is a rewarding path in terms of job stability, salary and added benefits. Although nursing is not a high-paying profession in the beginning, there is job security and growth opportunities. Through specialisations, certifications, and experience, you can increase your salary. If you have the needed qualifications and experience, then you can easily enjoy competitive salary packages, incentives and added perks such as healthcare benefits, retirement plans, etc.
Related: Top MBA Specialisations for Nursing Graduates
Nurses get ample opportunities to earn overtime pay by choosing to work extra shifts. In India, according to the Minimum Wages Act of 1948, overtime pay for nurses is typically twice the regular hourly wage. Nursing is one profession that offers additional income sources in addition to daily work duties. On average, nurses in India earn nearly INR 4,80,000/—annually in overtime pay from extra shifts.
If you take up the nursing profession, then you’ll have access to a variety of specialisation options. These specialities allow professionals to explore a wide set of skills and nursing areas, such as pediatric care, critical care, and mental health nursing.
It is better to choose sub-fields that best fit your needs and interest you at the same time. Having access to popular specialisation options can increase your productivity, professional satisfaction and your knowledge base about the chosen field.
Nurses can enjoy flexible working schedules. A nurse can have 8, 10, or 12 working-hour shifts, depending on the employer. This gives added benefits as working 10- or 12-hour shifts typically decreases the number of days you work each week.
And with that bonus time, nurses can always work side gigs for extra income and added experience. School nurses, travel nurses, community health nurses – all can use their bonus business hours for side income.
As a professional nurse, you can have various career advancement opportunities. For example, if you have specific interests, you can quickly escalate your professional stature to become a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist.
Additionally, you can also become a shift leader, a floor manager or a nurse manager. If you want you can also take up other healthcare roles like physician assistant, or public health specialist starting from being a nurse.
Nursing can be a highly fulfilling career choice where you enjoy working flexibility and job satisfaction. Those who enjoy providing care to others and work for holistic well-being can thoroughly enjoy the profession. If you want to become a nurse, you can pursue a variety of diploma and degree programmes. These include General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM), B.Sc Nursing, or Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing.
For advanced career growth, you can opt for M.Sc Nursing, MBA or specialised certifications in areas like critical care or pediatric nursing. So, are you passionate about making a difference in healthcare? Now is the perfect time to embark on this rewarding career path—explore nursing programmes today!
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