Best Courses and Career Options after BSc Nursing in India

Nurses are one of the most important groups of professionals in the world. Their role in healthcare is vital, and the demand for nurses has been increasing over time. Unlike doctors, nurses focus on taking care of patients and helping doctors with their tasks. Because the responsibilities of nurses are different from those of doctors, the training required to become a nurse is also different.

To start a career in nursing, you need to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing), which takes four years. To get admitted, you must have at least 55% in your 12th-grade exams and have studied science subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB). This program teaches you the knowledge and skills needed for a nursing career. During the four years, you will learn about patient care, medical procedures, and healthcare practices. Once you finish this degree, you’ll be ready for various nursing jobs in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.

To start your nursing career, you need to take entrance exams conducted by AIIMS, JIPMER, or CPNET. Once you pass one of these exams, you can get admission to top nursing colleges in India. In the four-year BSc Nursing program, you will learn about different subjects like anatomy, biochemistry, nursing basics, psychology, orthopedics, and operating room techniques. This education will give you the important knowledge and skills needed for a successful nursing career. After completing the program, you will be ready for various jobs in healthcare, such as working in hospitals, clinics, or other medical settings.

After finishing this degree, you have many career options. Graduates can find jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, health departments, pharmacies, and pathology labs, among other places.

If you want to become a specialized nurse and advance your career after your BSc Nursing, you can choose additional courses. Besides the two-year full-time M.Sc. Nursing program, there are also short-term courses you can take.

Courses after BSc Nursing

After completing your BSc Nursing, there are many courses you can take to specialize and improve your knowledge and skills. These courses will help you have better job opportunities in nursing. Here are some of the best options to consider after your BSc Nursing.

1. Diploma in Critical Care Nursing 

This is an advanced course for those who already have a nursing degree. Nurses in this program are trained to care for people in critical condition. Critical care is important for seriously ill patients who are having surgery or facing other serious health issues. 

Thus, critical Nurses handle patients admitted to an ICU or under other intensive care treatment. These patients need 24/7 care, and the nurses need to check up on them very frequently. 

Eligibility Criteria

1. The candidate must be from the nursing field and have completed BSc Nursing, GNM, or M.Sc. Nursing. 
2. It is a one-year course program. However, the duration can get extended varying from college to college. 
3. Candidates with no nursing background cannot be admitted to this course 

Admission

Admission is taken on a merit-based or entrance exam basis. 

2. Diploma in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Nursing 

A Diploma in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Nursing, also called CVT Nursing, is a course you can take after your BSc Nursing. In this diploma program, nurses learn to care for patients with heart problems, such as those who use a pacemaker, have bypass surgery, or need stents in their hearts. Nurses work with a team of cardiologists and are trained to handle various cardiology issues. The program lasts for 2 years.

Eligibility Criteria 

1. 10+ 2 along with GNM or BSc Nursing. 
2. The candidate must have enrolled as a medical caretaker by any recognized State Nursing Council or Nursing Board of India.

Admission 

Entrance exam and merit-based admission system.

3. Diploma in Nursing Administration

While many people aim to be bedside nurses, others want to manage teams and work in behind-the-scenes roles. This diploma course is designed for those interested in this path. It teaches students management and administrative skills. 

Nursing administrators will know and implement all nursing procedures in a healthcare environment. They manage a team of nurses who will work on the front lines interacting with the patients seen in the facility.

 They also ensure that standards and guidelines are followed at the health care center and ensure that there is enough staff to look after the patients. It is a one-year course after BSc Nursing.   

Eligibility Criteria

1. The candidate must have a valid nursing degree BSc Nursing, Post basic BSc Nursing or GNM. 
2. The candidate must have registered as RNRM and have 2-years of work experience. 

Admission

Admission is taken on an entrance and merit-based differs from college to college. 

4. Diploma in Surgical Nursing / Operations Room Nursing 

Clinical surgeons need skilled surgical nurses to help them during surgeries. To meet this demand, nurses should learn about the different techniques used in surgery and how these techniques affect patients. This course, taken after BSc Nursing, trains nurses in the tools and procedures used before surgery. It is a 1-year diploma program.

Eligibility Criteria

The candidate must have a BSc degree in nursing, or Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery, or a post-basic BSc in Nursing. With a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized college or university.  

Admission

Admission is taken on merit-based or entrance exams. 

PG Nursing Courses in India

Other than diploma courses, there are many PG courses one can do after BSc Nursing courses.  Here is a list of some of the best PG courses: 

1. PG Diploma in Paediatrics Critical Care Nursing

This is a one-year course after BSc Nursing that can be pursued. It is a specialized course that trains nurses to take care of infants and children. Nurses detect the condition of kids based on their responses. They know how to take care of children and their needs. 

Eligibility

The candidate must have scored 50% in Graduation with a related subject under the (10+2+3) scheme from a recognized college or university. 

2. PG Diploma in Neo-Natal Nursing 

This is again a diploma that trains nurses to deal with children. But this is a training in which they are taught to handle newborns. Newborns require utmost care since they are very delicate. This is also a one-year course after BSc Nursing. 

Eligibility

1. The candidate must have passed BSc Nursing with 55% marks. 
2. Candidates who passed Post Basic BSc Nursing or GNM with 55% aggregate marks, from a recognized university can also apply.  

3. PG Diploma in Emergency Nursing 

This is a one-year course that trains nurses to cater to patients who need immediate assistance. They get placed in emergency wards and deal with patients in emergency conditions. Emergencies include heart attack, stroke attack, trauma, or suicidal attempts. It is a very demanding job since patients constantly need nurses. 

Eligibility 

1. The candidate must have passed BSc in Nursing or GNM 
2. Have at least one year of work experience as a staff nurse. 
3. Should be a registered nurse R.N. & R.M. 

4. PG Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

This is also one of the best courses after BSc Nursing. This PG Diploma course trains nurses to deal with patients suffering from mental health issues. They assist people with mental anxiety, depression or personality disorder issues.  However, this job is very strenuous since nurses must work patiently as these patients need intensive care and attention. The nurses work under a psychiatrist and know how to treat unstable patients. 

Eligibility 

Candidate must have completed a BSc in nursing from a reputed university or college with valid marks. 

Top 10 Colleges in India for Nursing

If you have decided to choose the career option of becoming a Nurse, then it is crucial that you get your nursing education from the best institutes. Here is the list of the top 10 Nursing colleges in India. 

Institute Name	City
AIIMS Delhi	Delhi
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research	Chandigarh
Lady Hardinge Medical College	Delhi
Armed Forces Medical College	Pune
Kasturba Medical College	Mangalore
Christian Medical College	Vellore
Banaras Hindu University	Varanasi
Madras Medical College	Chennai
SDPS Women’s college	Indore
Jai Institute of Nursing and Research	Gwalior

Source 

Part-time Jobs for Nursing Students

Having a part-time job as a nursing student or nursing graduate is a great way for nurses to gain valuable experience and earn some side income. Here are some part-time jobs that you can do while pursuing your BSc in Nursing. 

i. Part-time Lab Technician

A nursing student can take up the job of a part-time Phlebotomist/ Lab Technician. The qualification required is just a BSc Nursing. So, while pursuing any of the after-BSc Nursing courses, you can earn through this part-time opportunity.  The responsibilities would include blood sample drawing and separation, vitals, and medical examination. The remuneration will be according to a per-hour basis/ duty hours. You can easily opt for a convenient time and make some money while doing your specialization. 

ii. Home Visiting Nurse 

A nursing degree is a minimum requirement for this part-time job. The nurse works with chronic disease patients. You need to provide infusion home counseling and guide the patients with day-to-day tasks.  You need to take care of the patients at home when the family is not available or fulfill tasks that only a professional nurse can do, such as administering daily medicines. The payment is according to per day/hour visits. 

iii. Nurse Trainee 

You can also enroll yourself under a Nurse Trainer to teach you the workings of the job. Shadowing their everyday activities is one of the best ways to learn from them. As a nurse trainee, you might not be interacting with the patients but understanding what the job entails and your response. 

iv. Take Online Classes 

There will never come a day when a student will not require extra help from tutors. This is where you can use your study material to help school students or even other college students and teach them online and earn some side income. It is one of the top ways to make money online using your skills and knowledge. 

Career Opportunities after BSc Nursing 

After completing your four-year program of BSc Nursing, you will have various BSc Nursing scopes opened up for you. Here are some of the best and most reputed career options that you can choose after a BSc in Nursing. 

I. Nurse 

Nurses are qualified medical professionals who assist doctors in managing the day-to-day operations within a hospital or a clinic. They are also tasked with caring for sick patients and providing support, emotionally, to the bereaved family members of the patients. One of the most important tasks for nurses is to do daily evaluations more than two times a day, check up on the patient’s needs, provide them with medications, and keep notes of their recovery. 

Average Salary 

The average salary of a nurse in India is INR 2 lakh per annum. 

II. Nurse Supervisor 

Also referred to as Nurse Administrator, the job of a nurse supervisor is to manage all the nurses in the hospital. They are responsible for coordinating the efforts of nurses and overseeing that the nurses meet all needs of patients. They also develop plans for the efficient functioning of the nursing department within the hospital. 

Average Salary

The average salary of a Nurse Supervisor after completing a BSc in Nursing is INR 4 LPA in India. 

III. Psychologist 

Completing a BSc in Nursing also opens up the door for enrolling oneself in the world of psychology. Studying the human mind has always been a fascinating endeavor, and one can seek this career option if one is interested in the workings of the human mind.
A psychologist makes symptomatic psychotherapy for patients who are experiencing mental problems. These problems can be from depression to addiction. 

Average Salary

After doing a BSc Nursing, the salary in India for Psychologists is INR 3 LPA.  

IV. Nurse Trainer

Every hospital does shuffles of their nurses. There is always an inflow of new nurses who need to be trained and educated on the workings of hospitals or about the duties of a nurse in general. Nurse Trainers do the task of training new nurses and their main task is to create a robust framework for including new nurses in the hospital with ease and get them aware of the processes of the hospitals, leading to a smooth and seamless transition. 

Average Salary

On average a Nurse Trainer earns INR 4 LPA. 

Start your Nursing Career  

Nursing is a noble profession, if doctors cure the patients, then it’s the nurses who take care of patients. Choosing this profession will not only give you a reputation but also provide you with great career opportunities. You know your first step towards becoming a nurse is doing BSc Nursing. But there are various courses after BSc Nursing, which you can pursue. 

Some of the best after-BSc Nursing courses have been mentioned in the article, which might interest you. And you can pursue these courses from the best colleges in India. So, without any delay start your career journey in nursing after completing your BSc in Nursing.  

Also Read- Nursing Interview Questions and Answers

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