List of Nursing Courses/Specializations in India

Nursing is referred to as the noble profession. Focused on the care of individuals and families, nursing is an important part of healthcare. Nurses are often the second touchpoint for a patient after doctors. 

A career in nursing is rewarding and satisfying as well as respectable, however, it can also be strenuous at times, just like all medical streams.  

Nursing is a wide terminology. It includes everything from giving a basic first aid to making treatment decisions. There’s a misnomer that nursing is mostly a women’s job, but the fact is it’s also open to males.

As a nurse, you’ll have a hand in people’s health. Quite Literally

DGNM (Diploma in General Nursing)

Also referred to GNM in some colleges, the 3.5-year diploma programme is aimed at preparing general nurses that can effectively perform nursing duties in hospitals and other places where their services might be required. 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing or B.Sc. Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing or B.Sc. Nursing as it’s also known as the common four-year basic nursing programme in India. To be eligible for a nursing programme, you have to study science with physics, Chemistry, Biology and English at +2 or 12th class or equivalent with 40% aggregate in all subjects or 35% for SC/ST/OBC students.

After completing your 12th standard, you’ll have to attempt the Common Entrance Test conducted by Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) for admissions to nursing colleges in Bangalore. 

Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing

Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing is a two-year nursing programme. To be eligible for this programme, one must have studied any stream in the pre-university/+2 or equivalent level. Those holding a diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) are also eligible for this academic programme. Others that are eligible for this programme are registered nurses or someone with a minimum of two-years experience in a hospital or community health nursing. 

All admissions are based on the results obtained in the Common Entrance Test (CET) conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA).

Post-Graduate Nursing

After successfully completing B.Sc. Nursing, one is eligible to do further specialisation such as two-year M.Sc. Nursing.  All admissions are based on scores in the Common Entrance Test conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Medical-Surgical Nursing

Master of Science in Medical-Surgical Nursing is a two-year postgraduate programme that is aimed at arming nurses with advanced and comprehensive knowledge of cardiovascular and thoracic nursing and surgical interventions

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Paediatric Nursing

Master of Science in Paediatric Nursing is a two-year postgraduate programme that centres around childcare needs. The programme is completely focussed on paediatric nursing-- both surgical and non-surgical. 

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Psychiatric Nursing

Master of Science in Psychiatric Nursing is a two-year postgraduate programme that is focused on dealing with patients suffering from mental health problems.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Community Health Nursing

Master of Science in Community Health Nursing is a two-year nursing speciality that deals with the community. Nurses are trained to assess communities and population and identify the best nursing intervention in order to help the community live well. 

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing

Master of Science in Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing is a nursing speciality that deals with the reproductive health of women. They are also trained to help women during pregnancy, labour, and childbirth.

Nursing is a globally recognised profession and also one of the oldest in the world. Nursing has evolved over the years and there are ample opportunities for nurses in India and abroad with high earning potential.

1. Teaching: After getting a master’s degree, you can opt to become a teacher in a nursing college. 
2. Research: As a nurse, you can also get into the research field.

Indian Red Cross Society, Nursing Councils, Private and Government Hospitals, Armed Forces, Government and Private Companies, Orphanages, Old Age Homes, Physiotherapy Centres and more.

Nurses: Nurses employed by hospitals, medical centres, and clinics. Their main job is to help doctors, deal with patients, and perform other duties. 

Staff Nurse: A staff nurse looks after the patients who are admitted in their care. They maintain charts and administer their charts and medications according to the chart. They carefully monitor the patient’s diet and proper timing of their medicines.

Midwives: Specialists whose job is to help expecting mothers before, during, and after childbirth.

Health Workers: Specialists that help patients in rural areas.