People call them the ‘Angels of Mercy’ and they are also referred as ‘sisters’ by many. The term has definitely suggested someone who really helps, cares and sympathies regardless of who we are and what we do.

 

Their profession is noble and virtuous and involves taking care. Nurses help patients suffering from all sorts of physical and psychological maladies and constantly monitor the condition of these patients and administer prescribed medicines at regular intervals. They also assist medical specialists and help set up medical equipment in operation theatres and clinical laboratories. Furthermore, nurses provide assistance to people who are unable to lead a normal life due to one reason or another or are recovering from illness.

 

Nursing is an ideal job for those who want to serve humanity. If you are compassionate, have an immense will power and spirit to serve the diseased and the weak and are willing to work long hours in stressful conditions then this is the right profession for you.

 

There is an unending demand for nurses in the country; however, the supply of nurses greatly falls short of meeting this ever growing demand. There is great demand for highly skilled nurses abroad. In fact, India has emerged as the largest provider of nurses to foreign countries. The lure of big money and better living conditions abroad often attracts experienced nurses from India. Other opportunities for qualified nurses include teaching, Corporate Nursing, Manager Nursing, Staff Nurse, Nursing Supervisor, staff nurse – operation theatre and research jobs.

 

 

An interesting aspect of this profession is that a vast majority of nurses are women. However, of late, men are also showing interest in the profession. Government has also allowed special hospitals to start M.Sc. Nursing programs without having the prerequisites to set up corresponding graduate programs. The norms for admission to nursing schools have also been relaxed so that married women can now get admission to various nursing programs.

 

To be a professional nurse is not easy, it needs four year degree to do BSc. Nursing which has ample scope for jobs including government sector. They can work in defence sector and earn high salary and reputation. The Indian armed forces admit unmarried women in the age group of 17 to 24 years to the BSc Nursing program. The basic qualification is a 10+2 with 45% aggregate in Biology, Chemistry, English and Physics. Further, candidates have to be medically fit and clear a written test. Once candidates obtain qualification they can get themselves registered with the Nurses Council of their respective state. This makes them eligible to obtain a job. Students interested in pursuing higher studies can opt for MSc followed by MPhil and PhD. The cost of study in nursing schools varies from institution to institution.

 

On successful completion of their studies, students can get jobs with many private as well as public sector undertakings. A few of the areas where students can get jobs comprise of Clinics and Heath Departments, Defence Services, Hospitals, Industrial Houses and Factories, Nursing Science Schools, Railways and Public Sector Medical Departments and Training Institutes.

 

Candidates who want to work in government sector should qualify the exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission. Railway Recruitment Board also recruits many B.Sc. graduates to staff nurse positions in Southern and Northern Railway. These graduates can look forward for a good salary and other benefits in the job.

 

 What it means to become a nurse:

• This is a secure job profile
• There is no paucity of opportunities within the country and abroad
• You get the satisfaction of alleviating pain and suffering and seeing people get hale and hearty again
• The monthly salary for the beginners ranges from Rs 7,000 to Rs 17,000. In India, experienced nurses also get a pay packet of 72000/-per month.
• Nurses usually have to work in shifts and night duties are common
• Stressful work condition can have an adverse effect on the psyche and health
• The role played by these angels of mercy often goes unrewarded and unnoticed
• It takes a lot of effort to stay in job after one gets married and starts a family
• Registered nurses have to work for 12 hours at a time, if required the same nurse again needs to do another shift at times which is really hectic.