PERSPECTIVES OF NURSING EDUCATION

GLOBAL AND NATIONAL

The demand for higher education has increased worldwide and the response has
been an impressive expansion of education offerings both within and across countries. In
recent years there has been a proliferation of educational courses that target international
clientele. This h as led to concerns about quality and consistency and also the need for
international standards of education.

Internationalization in education, according to knight “the process of integrating

an international, intercultural or global dimension in the purpose, functions and delivery
of post – secondary education”.

Exported education service are delivered in various ways.

 As students travel abroad to receive their education.

 As education is delivered to them through distance learning.
 As educational institutions from one country provide onsite classes in another
country, often through establishing branch campuses.

Education of health professionals, specially nurses, cannot be entirely homogenous

given population health issues, such as endemic diseases, along with social, cultural and
economic differences. The standards for nursing education need to be established through
out the world to provide a guide for local services and to assure a minimum standard for
important issues such as essential qualifications for nurse educators.

PATTERNS OF NURSING EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN

INDIA

INTRODUCTION

Nursing Council Act came to existence in 1948 to constitute a council of nurses

who would safe guard the quality of nursing education in the country. The mandate was
to establish and maintain uniform standards of nursing education. Today, Indian nursing
council is a statutory body that regulates nursing education in the country through
prescription, inspection, examination, certification and maintaining its stands for a
uniform syllabus at each level of nursing education. The strive for maintenance of a
uniform standards and pattern of nursing education has curbed creative development
and experiments for expansion of nursing in to newer horizons of nursing education.

There are six levels of nursing education in India today. They are :

1. Multipurpose Health Worker Female training (ANM or MPHW-F)

2. Female Health Supervisor training (HV or MPHS-F)

3. General nursing and midwifery (GNM)

4. BSc. Nursing

5. MSc. nursing

6. MPhil and PhD

The ANM, HV, and GNM are conducted in schools of nursing. The last 3 are university
level courses and the respective universities conduct examinations. Beside there are
several certificate and diploma courses in specialties.

MULTIPURPOSE HEALTH WORKER (+) TRAINING

The training grew out of the earlier auxillary nursing and midwifery (ANM)
course.

The ANM training was for 2 years. Mainly covers maternal and child care and
family welfare.

The Indian Nursing Council revised the ANMs syllabus in 1977 and reduced the
duration to 18 months.

At the end of the course candidates are eligible for working in health subcentres.

There are nearly 500 schools offering this course in India at present.

FEMALE HEALTH SUPERVISOR TRAINING

 This course was initially meant as a health visitor training course. It went to
several modifications and finally became metamorphosed into the current six months
promotional training.

The female health supervisors or Multipurpose Health Assistant (F) course is

being conducted in 21 centres in the country.
GENERAL NURSING AND MIDWIFERY

The general nursing and midwifery course is conducted in 477 centers in the
country. The syllabus has undergone many revisions according to the change in the
health plans and policies of the Government and changing trends and advancements in
general education, nursing health sciences and medical technology. The latest revision
of syllabus by INC in 2004 has increased the duration of the course from three year to
three and half year. The basic entrance has become intermediate or class 12 instead of
earlier class 10. Both science and arts students are eligible. The focus of general nursing
education is the care of sick in the hospital. Schools of nursing are generally attached to
teaching hospitals. Three Board examinations are conducted, one at the end of each
year. On passing the candidates are registered as registered nurse and mid –wife by the
respective state nursing councils.

PHILOSOPHY

The Indian Nursing Council believes that the basic course in nursing is a formal
educational preparation which should be based on sound education principles. The
council recognizes that the program as the foundation on which the practice of nursing
is built and on which depends further professional education. It also recognizes its
responsibility to the society for the continued development of student as individual
nurse and citizens.

Purpose

The purpose of general nursing programme is to prepare general nurse who will
function as member of the health team beginning with competence for first level
position in both hospital and community. The programme is generated to the health
needs of the society, the community and the individual and will assist nurses in their
personal and professional development so that they may take their maximum
contribution to the society as individual citizens and nurses.

Objectives
1. Demonstrate awareness of and skills required in the nursing process in the provision
of health care and nursing of patients

2. Apply relevant knowledge from the humanities biological and behavioral sciences
in carrying out health care and nursing activities and functions.

3. Show sensitivity and skill in human relationship and communication in his or her
daily works

4. Demonstrate skill in the problem solving methods in nursing.

5. Gain knowledge of health resources in the community and the country

6. Demonstrate skill in leadership

7. Demonstrate awareness of necessity of belonging to professional organizations.

8. Promotion of health, precaution against illness, restoration of health and

rehabilitation.

Students admission

1. Age for the entrance shall be 17 years to 35 years, provided they meet the minimum
educational requirement ie 12 years of schooling.

2. Minimum education all students should pass 12 classes or its equivalent, preferably
with science subjects

3. Admission of students shall be once a year.

4. Students should be medically fit.

The selection committee should comprise tutors, nurse administrators, and

educationalist/psychologist. The principal of the school shall be the chairperson.

Training programme

The course in general nursing shall be of three and half years duration as follows,
two years practice in general nursing , one year  community health nursing and
midwifery and six months internship which includes nursing administration and nursing
research classes. There will be alternate course for male students in lieu of midwifery.
The ANM who wishes to under take general nursing course will not be given any
concessions. The maximum hours per week per students shall be 36 hours, which
includes instructions and clinical field experiences.

BACHELOR OF NURSING COURSE

Graduate nursing education started in India in the year 1946 in CMC, Vellore
and in the RAK college of nursing at Delhi university. At present several universities in
India offer the course.

Eligibility for admission

A candidate seeking admission should have:

1. pass the 2 year of pre university exam or equivalent as recognized by concerned

university with science subjects ie Physics, biology and chemistry.

2. students of vocational courses

3. obtained at least 45%of total marks in science subjects in the qualifying exam, if
belongs to a scheduled caste or tribe , should have obtained not less than 40 % of
total marks in science subjects.

4. completed 17 years of age at the time of admission or will complete this age on or
before 31st December of the year of admission

5. is medically fit

Objectives of study

The programme is designed :

1.  to provide a balance of professional and general education

2. to enable a student to become a professional nurse practitioner who has self direction
and is a responsible citizen.

Through planned guided experiences students are provided with opportunities to

develop

 a broad concept of the fundamental principles of nursing care  based on sound

knowledge and satisfactory levels of skill in providing care to people of all ages
in community or institutional setting
  understanding of the application of principles from the physical biological and
social sciences for assessing the health status

 ability to investigate health care problems systematically

 ability to work collaboratively with members of allied disciplines towards

attaining optimum health for all members of the society

 understanding of fundamental principles of administration and organization of

nursing service

 understanding of human behaviour and appreciation of effective interpersonal

relationship with individuals families and groups

 ability to assume responsibility for continuing learning

 appreciation of professional attitudes necessasary for leadership roles in nursing

appreciation of social and ethical obligations to  society.

Course of study

The course of study leading to bachelor of nursing  degree comprises 4 academic years.

BACHELOR OF NURSING COURSE (POST CERTIFICATE) FOR

QUALIFIED NURSES
Philosophy and aims of the programme

  The faculty believes that nursing is an integral part of the health care delivery
system and shire responsibility in collaboration with other allied health professions for
the attainment of optimal health for all members of the society. The faculty conceives
education as a life long  learning process. It seeks to render appropriate behavioral
changes in students in order to facilitate their development , which assist them to live
personally satisfied and socially useful lives.

The goal of post certificate degree programme leading to bachelor of science in

nursing is the preparation of the trained nurse as a generalist who accept responsibility
for enhancing the effectiveness of Nursing care

Eligibility for admission

The candidate seeking admission must:

1. hold a certificate in General  nursing.

2. be a registered nurse

3. have minimum of two years of experience

4. have passed pre university exam in the arts /science/commerce or its equivalent
which is recognized the university

5. be medically fit

6. have a good personal and professional record

7. have working knowledge of English

PROGRAMME OF STUDY

Duration –the programme of the study is two academic years from the date of
commencement of programme. Terms and vacations shall be as notified by the
university from time to time.

Objectives—the goal of the post certificate programme leading to the bachelor of

nursing is the preparation of the trained nurses as a generaralist who accept
responsibility for enhancing the effectiveness of nursing care.

 Administer high quality nursing care to all people of all ages in homes , hospitals
and other community agencies in urban and rural areas

 Apply knowledge from the physical, social and behavioral sciences in assessing
the health status of  individuals and make critical judgment in assessing the
health status of the individuals and make critical judgment in planning ,directing
and evaluating primary, acute and long term care given by themselves and
others working with them

 Investigate health care problems systematically

 Work collaboratively with members of other health disciplines

 Teach and counsel individuals , families and other groups about health and
illness

 Understand human behavior and establish effective interpersonal relationships

 Teach in clinical nursing situations

  Identify underlying principles from the social and natural sciences and utilize
them in adapting to , or initiating changes in relation to those factors

 Acquire professional knowledge  and attitude in adapting for leadership roles

DEGREE OF MASTER OF NURSING

Philosophy

Nursing faculty presents the following beliefs about the master of nursing programme:

1. the master of nursing programme is offered by institution of higher education and is

built up on a recognized bachelor’s curriculum in nursing (in India-by Indian
nursing council)

2. the programme prepares nurses for leadership position in nursing and other health
fields who can function as specialists nurse practitioners,
consultants ,educators ,administrators and investigators in a wide variety of
professional setting in meeting the national priorities and the changing needs of the
society

3. the programme prepares nursing graduates who are professionally

equipped ,creative, self directed and socially motivated to effectively meet with the
needs of the social change

4. further the programme encourages accountability and commitment to life long

learning which fosters improvement of quality care

Objectives

Graduates of master of nursing programme demonstrate:

 increased cognitive ,affective and psychomotor competencies and the ability to

utilise the potentials for effective nursing performance

 expertise in the utilization of concepts and theories for the assessment ,planning
and intervention in meeting the self care needs of an individual for the
attainment of fullest potentials in the field of specialty.

 Ability to practice independently as a nurse specialist

 Ability to function effectively as nurse educators and administrators

  Ability to interpret the health related research

 Ability to plan and initiate change in the health care system

 Leadership qualities for the advancement of practice of professional nursing

 Interest in life long learning for personal and professional learning advancement

Eligibility

The candidate seeking admission must:

1. have passed BSc. Nursing/post certificate BSc, or nursing degree of any university

2. have a minimum of one year of experience after obtaining BSc, in hospitals or

nursing educational institutions or community health setting

3. for BSc, nursing post certificate, no such experience is needed after graduation the
candidate shall be-a registered nurse or registered midwife for admission to medical
surgical nursing, community health nursing, pediatric nursing obstetric and
gynecological nursing.

A registered nurse for admission to psychiatric nursing

4. the candidate shall be selected on merit judged on the basis of   academic
performances in BSc nursing, post certificate BSc, or nursing and selection tests.

Specialties

Candidate will be examined in any of the following branches—

1. branch1-medical surgical nursing

2. branch2-community health nursing

3. branch 3-paediatric nursing

4. branch4-obstetric and gynecological nursing

5. branch5-psychiatric nursing

Four common papers are there included in the syllabus. They are:

 advanced concepts of health and nursing

 education and nursing education

 bio-statistics, research methodology and nursing research

  administration and nursing administration

MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAMME IN NURSING

In 1980 RAK college of nursing started an MPhil programme as  a regular and
part time course. Since then several universities started taking students for the MPhil
course in nursing. Prominent among these are: MGR Medical University, Rajive
Gandhi University of Health Sciences, SNDT University and Delhi University and
Manipal Academy of Higher Education 

Philosophy

Nursing shares with the whole university a main focus of preparing its students
for service and assisting them to achieve a meaningful philosophy of life. The student is
encouraged to develop judgment and wisdom in handling knowledge and skills and
achieve mastery of problem solving and creative skills.

Commitment to life long learning is the mark of truly professional person. In

order to maintain clinical competencies and enhance professional practice the student
must stay abrupt of the new developments and contribute to the advancement of nursing
knowledge.

Objectives

The objectives of M.Phil degree course in nursing are:

 to strengthen the research foundations of nurses for encouraging research

attitudes and problem solving capacities

 to provide basic training required for research in undertaking doctoral work

Duration

Duration of the full term M.Phil course will be one year and part time course will
be two year.

Course of study

At the time of admission each candidate will be required to indicate her priorities
in regard to the optional courses .a candidate may offer one course from M Phil
programme from the department of Anthropology, education, sociology and physiology
or any suitable department. The M.Phil studies will be into two distinct parts, part1 and
part 2.

Part1----it consist of 3 courses, ie research methods in nursing, major aspects of

nursing, allied disciplines 

Part2----after passing the part1 examination, a student shall be required to write a

dissertation. The topic and the nature of the dissertation  of each candidate will be
determined by the advisory committee consist of 3 members. The dissertation may
include results of original research, a fresh interpretation of existing facts, and date or a
review article of critical nature of may take.

DOCTORATE OF PHILOSOPHY IN NURSING

A candidate for admission to the course for the degree of  doctor of philosophy in
the faculties of medical science must have obtained an M Phil degree of a university or
have a good academic record with first or second class master’s degree of an Indian or a
foreign university in the concerned subject.

The candidate shall apply to the university for the admission stating his
qualifications and the subjects he proposes to investigate  enclosing a statement  on any
work he may have done in the subject. every application  for the admission of the
course must be analyzed by  the board of research studies. 

Board of research studies (medical sciences)- members-

 dean and the head of the departments concerned

 Principals/ head of institutions recognized for post graduate medical studies.

 Two members nominated by the medical academic council

 Three persons nominated by the medical faculty( for their special knowledge in
the medical science

 Eligibility criteria

 The candidate should be post graduate in nursing with more than 55% of
aggregates of marks

 Should have research background

  May or may not published articles in journals

  The course duration is far  regular PhD course is 3 years and for part time is 4
years

REFERENCES

1. Neeraja KP. Text book of nursing education.2005.1 st edn. Noida. Jaypee brothers
medical publishers( p) Ltd. Page 41 – 77.

2. Sankara Narayana, Basics of Nursing Education, 2002, 1st edition, Page No.15 – 18.

3. education.portal.com

4. currentnursing.com

5. Journals