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How to Become a Nurse: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Eligibility, Qualifications, Top Colleges, Jobs, Salary, Scope

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Ahana Bhaduri

Senior Content Specialist

Nurses are trained and skilled professionals who are in charge of taking care of patients who are admitted in hospitals and nursing homes. They administer prescribed medicines and take care of the overall health of a patient during the entirity of their stay at the hospital. During the pandemic, there was a huge demand of nurses and doctors globally.

In order to become a Nurse, aspiring students can pursue various undergraduate and postgraduate Nursing Courses from any of the Nursing Colleges across the country. The entrance for these collegese are done on the basis of various Nusring Entrance Exams. Apart from this, aspiring Nursing students can also pursue Certificate Nursing Courses and Diploma Nursing Courses.

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Students from medical streams such as BSc Nursing, GNM, ANM can become a nurse. The average course fee ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000 and the average salary earned by a nurse ranges from INR 2 - 5 LPA.

How to Become a Nurse: Quick facts 

Industry Health care
Eligibility Basic eligibility is Candidates must have completed class 12th with PCB(Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) as subjects and must have scored at least 45% marks. The eligibility criteria for postgraduate and Ph.D. courses vary depending on the college.
Starting Salary (INR) Average starting salary is INR 15,000 -INR 25,000
Job Opportunities Emergency room nurses, nursing assistants, telemetry nurses, staff nurses, nurse managers, travel nurses, clinical nurse specialists, operating room nurses, and so on.

What does a Nurse do

Nurses are responsible for a variety of tasks, including the following:

  • Managing patients' daily activities, such as providing adequate medication facilities.
  • Operate and monitor medical equipment
  • Analyzing the results of various diagnostic tests
  • Collaborate with the team members of the hospital.
  • Educate patients and their families on how to manage their health and recovery instructions.

Types Of Nurses 

There are more than 20 types of specialties available in the nursing department. Some of the common types are:

  • Registered Nurse: According to the Bureau of labor statistics, the requirements for registered nurses will grow by 7% in the next 8 years. They provide education to patients and their families, and it plays a crucial role in helping healthcare organizations to provide quality care. Most nurses have to work with a physician team and doctors in many departments. Various registered nurses can work as a part of a healthcare team to provide proper care. A bachelor’s degree is a must for this course.
  • Emergency Room Nurse: Emergency room nurses have to provide urgent care to patients who are suffering from life-threatening diseases and injuries. They must have skills like teamwork, good communication skills, and critical thinking to coordinate information among the team and try their best to save the patient's life. BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is a recommended degree to become an ER. Many ERs can go to pursue specialized certificate courses such as cardiac, pediatric, and newborn life support.
  • Medical Surgical Nurse: A medical surgical nurse has to deal with surgery in the hospital. They must possess the qualities of excellent time management and proper organizational skills as they have to take care of multiple patients at a point in time. They also need good communication skills as they have to communicate with doctors and surgical staff. A registered nurse (RN) certificate is compulsory to become a medical surgical nurse.
  • Nurse Practitioner: Nurse practitioners have to provide advanced care to patients that comprises health promotion, health prevention, and disease management. The most special type of nurse practitioner is a family nurse practitioner that works with patients of all age groups. There is a need for nurse practitioners in rural and underdeveloped areas and, according to statistics, the demand for nurse practitioners will grow by up to 55% in the coming years. Candidates willing to become nurse practitioners must complete their master’s degree in nursing.
  • Nurse Manager: The role of the nurse manager is to supervise the activities of the clinical path, most nurses work as an administrator that includes handling all tasks and recruitment of nurses. The experienced nurses ensure patient’s positive outcomes and make it possible for a hospital to achieve a higher standard of care. An RN certificate is required and a candidate must complete his bachelor’s in nursing or master’s in nursing (most recommended) for advanced roles.

Steps on How to Become a Nurse

Some of the key steps that should be followed in order to become a Nurse are listed below for your reference,

  • Decision Making: Before going into the field of nursing, you must think thoroughly about whether you are interested in the medical field or not. You have to make your decision very wisely, because this will be one of the most important decisions in your life.
  • Subject Choice: To go into the field of nursing, the candidate should choose PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) after the 10th grade and prepare for the nursing exams.
  • Entrance Exam preparation: There are various entrance exams for the nursing department, such as the AIIMS nursing entrance examination, Indian Army Nursing 2023. The exams vary from institution to institution. One can prepare through online lectures provided on Youtube and practice the previous year’s question papers and through good quality study materials that are available on some websites.
  • Selecting Correct Colleges: This is one of the most important and toughest tasks as there are many colleges available in India, but one has to choose the best college for a better future. Candidates must choose their college after due research and considering all the factors such as ranks, fees, etc.

How to become a nurse in India 

To become a nurse, one should be interested in the medical department and for most of the undergraduate courses and diplomas, the college requires biology as a compulsory subject.

  • School Level Preparation: To become a nurse, candidates must start at the school level. They must choose the Science stream with Biology as a compulsory subject. They must pursue Science stream in 10+2 and must also prepare for entrance examinations well in advance with full dedication.

How to Become a Nurse After 12th

Some of the crucial steps that are to be taken up in order to become a Nurse after 12th are listed below for your reference,

  • Undergraduate Level Preperation: After completing their schooling, candidates must score at least 70-80% to enter into a good college and complete the bachelor's program for 3 years. It is recommended that candidates should do some certificate courses in nursing to gain some experience and it will also help in building the resume of the candidate that helps to get better job opportunities.
  • PG Preparation Level: After completing the under graduation program, It will be advantageous for the student to complete his/her post-graduate program and gain more knowledge that will be beneficial to get good placements with a high pay package.

Nursing Courses

To pursue a career as a nurse, candidates can choose any undergraduate or postgraduate Nursing Courses 

Diploma in Nursing 

Diploma in nursing is a 3 years full time diploma level program ,the courses focuses on developing fundamental skills and it includes subject like Fundamentals of nursing ,Health economics,Community diseases,surgeries,operations and ward management

Particulars Details
Duration 3 years
Eligibility Candidates must score at least 45% in class 12th from any recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as their main subjects.
Average fees (INR) INR 20,000 - INR 1,00,000
Average starting salary (INR)  INR 2 – 3.5 LPA

PB BSc in Nursing 

PB BSc Nursing is a 2 year nursing course which is designed to enhance nursing skills of the professionals who already have a background in nursing or a similar field.

Particulars Details
Duration  2 Years
Eligibility  10+2 (Science stream)
Average Course Fees (INR) INR 20,000 - INR 40,000 per year
Average Starting Salary (INR) INR 3 – 5 LPA

Check: PB BSc Nursing Admission 2023

MSc in Nursing 

Msc Nursing is a 2 year postgraduate degree course that provides advanced-level knowledge and it is an entry-level for a career of nurse manager.

The course provides specialization in adult care, gynecological nurse, obstetrics, psychiatric and pediatric.

Particulars Details
Duration 2 Years
Eligibility BSc/PB BSc Nursing
Average Course Fee s (INR) INR 50,000 - INR 1.40 L per year
Average starting salary(INR) INR 4 – 6 LPA

Entrance exams to become a nurse

For some courses, the candidate has to give the entrance exam to get admission into colleges

The main entrance exam for admission in BSc Nursing in Indian colleges is AIIMS BSc.Nursing, CPNET.The entrance exam varies from college to college 

AIIMS Nursing Exam 

AIIMS Nursing Entrance Exams are conducted to offer admission to the AIIMS Institute.

Particulars Important Dates
Application Date  April – May, 2023
Admit card Release date June 2023
Examination Date

June 24, 2023

Result Date June 30, 2023

JIPMER Entrance Exam 

The JIPMER exam is conducted to offer admission to the Nursing courses in Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry

Particulars Important Dates
Application Date 1st week of January – Last week of January, 2023
Admit card Release date 4th week of March 2023
Examination Date May 7, 2023
Result Date 1st week of June, 2023

Eligibility 

  • Candidates must score at least 55% in class 12th from any recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as their main subjects.
  • For admission in a post-basic nursing course, candidates with a diploma in General nursing and Midwifery are required.

How to Become a Nurse Abroad 

Many countries provide nursing abroad, but the best countries that provide these courses are the USA, UK, and Australia.

How to Become a Nurse in the UK 

 Educational Requirements to pursue nursing courses in the UK are as follows

  • The educational requirements in the UK vary from colleges to colleges
  • A good score in class 12th is required for admissions to bachelor’s degree nursing courses.
  • Minimum 75-80% is required in class 12th and the compulsory subjects are English. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

The table below shows the top nursing colleges in the UK.

Name of the College  Average Annual Fees (INR)
King's College London  INR 16.74 L
University Of Manchester INR 24.57 L
University of Edinburgh INR 27.64 L
University of Nottingham INR 21.65 L
University of Glasgow INR 14.39 L

How to Become a Nurse in the USA 

Educational Requirements to pursue nursing courses in the US are as follows

  • For admission into UG nursing courses in the USA, a candidate must have cleared class 12th with a minimum of 80% and have studied english, chemistry, and biology in class 12th.
  • Some universities demand work experience in the nursing field.
  • For a master's degree, a student must have a bachelor’s in nursing degree from any country.
  • An average of 80% is required in the bachelor's degree to take admission for master’s program
  • A registered nursing license is mandatory to pursue master’s courses in the USA.

The top Nursing colleges in the USA are tabulated below.

 Name of the College  Average Annual Fees (INR)
Yale University  INR 49.02 L
University Of Pennsylvania  INR 40.43 L
Michigan state university  INR 35.80 L
University of washington  INR 26.57 L

How to Become a Nurse in Australia 

Educational Requirements to pursue nursing courses in Australia are as follows

  • Interested candidates must have proof of English efficiency by clearing the IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE.
  • Students must have english, biology, and chemistry as the subjects in class 12th.
  • Applicants must score a minimum of 50% in senior secondary school.
  • For a master's program, a candidate must have a graduation degree with a minimum of 60% 
  • A registered nurse license is a must for master’s programs in Australia.

The top Nursing colleges in Australia are given below for your reference

Name of the College  Average Annual Fees (INR)
Victoria University  INR 9.95 L
James Cook University  INR 16.34 L
La Trobe University  INR 20.06 L
Western Sydney  INR 16 L

Benefits Of Career as a Nurse 

There are various benefits of becoming a nurse, the main thing is that the need for nurses in the world never decreases. The following are the benefits of choosing a career as a nurse:

  • Excellent Salary: A career as a nurse provides a good level of salary to satisfy their needs and they are also paid for doing overtime work. They also have the coverage of health insurance. The nurses are earning a good amount of money as compared to the past.
  • Job Security: Job security is one of the biggest advantages of a nursing career, even in times of economic slowdown, the nurses will always be able to find work because it will be impossible to operate hospitals without the nurses 
  • Advancement Opportunities: A nursing career provides many advancements in job opportunities, nowadays many nurses are becoming so advanced that they get direct opportunities in the administration department.
  • Specialization: There are many specializations available in the nursing field. Nurses have the freedom to choose where they want to specialize. There are endless job opportunities for them.

Skills Required to become a Nurse 

The following are the skills that are required to become a Nurse.

Calm personality Teamwork
Logical Thinking Communication Skills
Patient Care skills Time management and organizational skills
Empathy Confidence
Leadership Multitasking 

Salary of a Nurse in India

Average Annual Salary

Type of the Organisation  Average Annual Salary (INR)
Government  3.99 L
Private 2.96 L

Specialization Wise 

Specialisation  Average Annual Salary (INR)
Staff Nurse  2.16 L
Staff Nurse Bsc 3.12 L
Critical Care Nurse 3 L
Nursing Supervisor  3.60 L
Home Nurse 2.16 L
Pediatric Nurse 2.70 L
OT Nurse 3.12 L
Nurse Manager  6 L
Nursing Director  8.42 L

Experience Wise salary 

Experience level Average Annual Salary (INR)
Fresher  2.20 L
Experienced 6.50 L

How to Become a Nurse: FAQs 

Question: Is Nursing a good career?

Answer: Yes, nursing is a good career as it provides social status, the demand for nurses is high all over the world. It is a career choice that will never end and there are various job opportunities available for nurses.

Question: Which is the better option Bsc nursing or BTech?

Answer: If you are a woman then you should go for BSc nursing, as there is a lot of scope in BSc nursing as compared to Btech, you can also do MSc nursing that will provide a decent job with a good salary.

Question: Which is better: BDS in Chandigarh or AIIMS, Delhi for BSc Nursing?

Answer: Nursing from AIIMS Delhi is better, the academic and clinical exposure is very good such that it can help to crack the recruitment-based examination. Government job opportunities are very high in AIIMS.

Question: I am planning to do a BSc Nursing course, so will I have to take the neet exam?

Answer: No, you don't have to take the NEET examination for BSc Nursing. You can pursue nursing after the 12th with 45% in PCB and some colleges conduct their entrance exam, one can get admission by clearing the entrance examination conducted by the institution.

Question: What are the scopes for Nurses abroad?

Answer: There is a great scope for Nurses abroad. The chances of getting a job with a good package are very high, as the institutions abroad are very developed and provide proper training and various job opportunities.

Ask your question

Answered Questions

TG

Trina Guha

29 Jun 22

RUHS BSc Nursing syllabus contains topics from 10+2 Biology, Physics, Chemistry of Rajasthan Board or equivalent. You can find the detailed syllabus on the official website of the institute. 

The video gives a detailed explanation of semester-wise RUHS BSc Nursing Syllabus

The questions asked in the examination are objective type. The question paper will be in English and Hindi both. There is no provision for negative marking.

...Show More

KS

Karan Darshan Shah

16 Feb 23

Yes, students who are willing to study BSc Nursing (Hons.) courses must appear for the NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test 2023.

NTA or the National Testing Agency will grant admission to BSc Nursing courses to students clearing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET 2023). NEET-UG is a national-level entrance exam for undergraduate medical programs like MBBS, BDS, BVSc, and AYUSH courses.

B.Sc eligibility for NEET 2023

  • The age requirement for NEET is 17-35
  • You must have completed class 12 with physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as English as the main subjects.
  • The minimum percentage scored in 12 must not be less than 45% of total marks (this may differ from university)
  • Must have passed NEET and met the required cutoff

Here is a video comprising all relevant details of BSc Nursing Admission through NEET

The NEET cutoff 2022 for General Category was 715-117.

...Show More

GS

Gayatri Sinha

17 May 22

AIIMS BSc Nursing 2022 entrance examination date is June 18. You will be able to get the admit card on 11th June. It is a computer-based test and will be conducted in 150 test centers in 14 cities across the country. 

Number of seats available for B.Sc Nursing (Hons.) at AIIMS Delhi is 571. B.Sc Nursing students need to pay a security deposit of INR 1000 for the hostel. Mess fees need to be paid separately. The current mess charges for four meal format fixed menu is around INR 2000. For student-run messes, mess fee is higher. 

...Show More

PR

Prashant Ranjan

10 May 22

CMC Vellore conducts a computer-based entrance test for B.Sc Nursing admission. It is a state-level entrance examination. CMC released the application form for the entrance test on 2nd May 2022. The last date for submission of the online application with the required payment is 3rd June 2022. The examination is scheduled for 12th July 2022. The course will start on 29 November 2022. 

...Show More

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