BSc Nursing Syllabus 2024

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Apr 03, 2024 12:14PM IST

BSc Nursing Syllabus

BSc Nursing syllabus in combination with the BSc Nursing subjects is explicitly designed to train students to acquire theoretical as well as practical knowledge and hands-on experience. In accordance with the National Health Policy of 2002, the BSc in Nursing programme is a four-year undergraduate course of study with a focus on the development of intensive care, analytical thinking, dexterity, and values-related capabilities. By upholding moral principles and standards of behaviour at all times, BSc Nursing syllabus trains students to be responsible citizens who can meet their personal, social, and professional obligations to achieve national goals.

Offered by the Indian Nursing Council (national nurse education regulatory body), BSc in Nursing syllabus structure is divided into eight semesters. The curriculum for each semester offers students a step-by-step guide to learning important aspects of nursing and healthcare sectors. Students with a diploma in nursing or who have completed their class 12th in Biology are eligible for a BSc in Nursing course. BSc in Nursing course consists of core subjects like Nutrition, Physiology, Genetics, and Anatomy along with subsidiary subjects like English, Ethics, Computer science, MBA, etc. After graduation, students can work as psychiatric nurses, nurse managers, nursing tutors, etc.

But before that, candidates must have a clear idea about what the BSc Nursing syllabus entails and how switching BSc Nursing subjects helps them amass the various aspects of the healthcare profession.

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BSc Nursing Course Structure

All candidates wishing to pursue BSc Nursing must be well-versed with the BSc Nursing subjects structure of the same. There are eight semesters in the course, spread across four years, and two sections are dedicated to core and electives of BSc Nursing Syllabus. Core subjects are subjects that all students must take, whereas electives are subjects that they may choose as per their interests.

The BSc in Nursing course structure is as follows:

  • Core Subjects
  • Elective
  • Research Project
  • VII Semesters
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BSc Nursing Syllabus (Year-Wise)

As discussed, BSc Nursing is a four-year undergraduate course of study that is divided into eight semesters, which means there are two semesters per year. The subsequent tables below discuss a detailed overview of the BSc Nursing course syllabus for all four years along with the subject details that will be taught to students over the whole study programme.

BSc Nursing 1st Year Syllabus

The following table outlines the first-year BSc Nursing subjects and their details:

Subject NameTopics Covered
BiochemistryBasics of proteins, iron metabolism, intermediary metabolism, lipids, nucleic acids, and the synthesis and decomposition of haemoglobin.
Human Anatomy
  • Urogenital system (demonstration of the structure of the kidney, ureters, bladder and urethra)
  • Joint and skeletal system (demonstration of the skeleton)
  • The respiratory system is made up of the lungs, bronchi, larynx, nose, and larynx.
  • The reproductive system
  • Unique system of nerves and sense organs
  • Cardiac muscles, skeletal structures, and the muscular system
  • Mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, entire gastrointestinal tract, and related glands make up the digestive system. the pancreatic gallbladder, the spleen, and the liver (structure and distribution in the body)
  • System of Circulation
  • System of Hormones
  • Concepts related to anatomy, human body parts, and tissues in general
Nursing Practices and First Aid 
  • Preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and other community health resources.
  • Introduction: Ward orientation, nursing etiquette, Nursing and its profession are defined. the range of nursing, etc. Also, analysing, reporting and recording patients' health, etc. 
Nutrition and DieteticsBasics, Food Composition, Water, Protein, Fat, and Carbohydrates the effects of various cooking techniques on food, Nutritional principles, a balanced diet, and Diet as medicine, techniques for adjusting diet in relation to caloric value and other nutrients, etc. 
Physiology
  • Blood (composition and function of various components of blood, normal and pathological hematopoiesis, destruction of red cells, jaundice and blood types)
  • Metabolic and Endocrine Systems
  • Mechanism of excretion
  • Stomach and intestines
  • A description of cell physiology
  • System of nerves and sense organs
  • Respiratory system
PracticalThe preparation, planning, and calculation of a typical diet, overseeing the kitchen and storeroom, analysis of several foods, including wheat, potatoes, eggs, milk, etc.
Practical Syllabus
  • Use of a spirometer and BMR equipment for the respiratory system
  • Examining the cardiovascular system, monitoring blood pressure in people, and determining how exercise affects blood pressure
  • Examination of the central nervous system and the extrasensory perception
  • Blood: Hemoglobin Differential Count, Blood Groups, ESR, CT, and BT

BSc Nursing 2nd Year Syllabus

The following table outlines the second-year BSc Nursing subjects and their details:

Subject NameTopics Covered
Medical and Surgical Nursing
  • Advanced nursing techniques include nasogastric intubation, endotracheal intubation, catheterization, fumigation, ostomy management, irrigations, abdominal and pleural aspirations, biopsies, endoscopies, and CPR.
  • Skin and communicable diseases include those caused by skin-insect infestation, fungus, viruses, scabies, immune system issues, malaria, cholera, smallpox, etc.
  • An overview of the anatomy and physiology of the eye, as well as information on conjunctivitis and common eye diseases such as squints, corneal ulcers, glaucoma, and trachoma.
  • Management of patients with circulatory, digestive, liver, and biliary illnesses, as well as those with respiratory disorders such as COPD, pneumonia, lung abscess, etc.
  • Blood circulation, maintaining the body's dynamic homeostasis, shock classification, symptomatology, pathophysiology, and care forms of haemorrhage, how to treat them, body fluid and electrolyte composition, balance of electrolytes and fluids management of the patient with a fluid and electrolyte imbalance, etc.
  • Different types of inflammation, their causes, pathophysiology, repercussions, treatments causes, signs, and remedies for ulcer causes, specific types, pathophysiology, and treatment of gangrene, etc.
  • Nursing care for women: patient gynaecological examination Menstrual cycle disruption and abortions ailments affecting the vagina and external genitalia diseases of the wide ligament, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus, among other organs.
  • ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Nursing: Assessment of the anatomy, physiology, and prevalent diseases or problems of the ear, nose, and throat. Routine nursing techniques used in ENT, Common ENT investigations like those for boils in the external meatus, otitis media, mastoiditis, and otosclerosis.
Psychiatric Nursing
  • Nursing's Function in Therapies
  • Mental health emergencies
  • The use of psychiatric nursing principles in general nursing
  • Social work in psychiatry and mental health
  • Mental disorders: their causes, symptoms, diagnostic standards, etc.
  • Relationships between people, the interaction between a nurse and a patient, the nurse's function on the therapeutic psychiatry team, and therapeutic impasse
  • Interviewing techniques, conversational abilities, process recording, and observation
  • Classifying mental illnesses (ICD & DSM)
  • In-depth historical analysis of psychiatry and psychiatric nursing in India and other countries
PracticalField trips and written exams
Operation Theatre Techniques
  • Types of anaesthesia, patient resuscitation techniques, and endotracheal intubation
  • Theatre preparation and theatre attire
  • Duties of an operating room nurse
  • Instrument, utensil, and dressing linen sterilisation
Microbiology
  • Fungi
  • An introduction to microbiology and its history
  • Bacterial morphology, characterisation, and identification
  • Host-parasite relationships and parasitology
  • Serological tests and the disorders they are associated with
  • Physical and chemical methods of sterilisation
  • Toxoids, toxins, vaccines, sera, etc.
Health Education
  • An introduction to the topic
  • Communicating and teaching about health
  • Strategies for Health Education
  • Audiovisual tools, etc.

BSc Nursing 3rd Year Syllabus

The following table outlines the third-year BSc in Nursing subjects and their details:

Subject NameTopics Covered
Cardio-thoracic Nursing
  • ECGs, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, etc.
  • Fallot's Tetralogy, mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis, etc.
  • The fundamentals of both open and closed cardiac surgery
  • Review of the heart's structure and physiology
Cardiology Nursing 
  • Amputations and plastic surgery
  • Principles and cancer patient treatment planning
  • Nursing in Neurology and Neurosurgery
  • Nursing in Nephrology and Urology
  • Cardiomyopathy, hypertension, Burgers disease, myocardial infarctions, etc.
  • intensive nursing care
  • Heart block, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, rheumatic fever, and congestive heart failure, among other conditions.
  • CHD, CAD, atherosclerosis, and artery disease
  • Cancer Nursing: The characteristics of cancer, such as how a cancer cell differs from a healthy cell in terms of growth, appearance, etc.
Advanced Nursing Procedures
  • Surgical techniques concern the urinary system
  • Procedures concern the heart and circulatory systems
  • Lumbar air study, Lumbar puncture, and other procedures focused on the neurological system
Maternal
  • Programme for student health
  • Children's dietary requirements
  • Indian culture's needs for and approaches to raising healthy children
  • Services for maternity and health
  • The Family Welfare Program
  • Growth of MCH Services
  • Organization for paediatric health
Social Medicine
  • Key categories of social groups
  • The importance of sociology in nursing
  • Communication and Human Relation
Trends in Nursing and Professional Adjustment
  • Indian nursing services
  • Legislation governing nursing and nursing registration
  • Indian Nursing Educational Programmes
  • The role of international organisations in the growth of the nursing profession
  • Governmental Organisations and Nursing Services

BSc Nursing 4th Year Syllabus

The following table outlines the fourth-year BSc Nursing subjects and their details:

Subject NameTopics Covered
Midwifery and Obstetrics Nursing
  • Puerperium
  • Delivery preparation
  • Pregnancy: Multiple births and abnormal pregnancies
  • The anatomy of pregnancy
  • Labor Physiology and Practice
  • Birth: Prenatal and postnatal care
  • Child care
  • Embryology
  • Antenatal care
  • Biochemistry and Anatomy
  • Irregularities in the puerperium
  • Abnormal labour practises
Nursing Services and Administration 
  • The fundamentals of accounting
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Structure of an organisation
  • Administration of personnel
  • A supervisor's guiding principles
Research and Statistics
  • Statistics 
  • Research
  • Computer Application
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BSc Nursing Syllabus for Distance Programme

BSc Nursing is also widely offered as a distance education course in India, for students who students cannot afford a full-time or regular education. While the BSc Nursing Syllabus of distance education is almost similar to that of regular programmes, the evaluation process differs in some aspects. 

Some of the popular colleges that offer a distance learning course in BSc Nursing in India are Acharya Institute of Health Science, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Christian Medical College, Chandigarh University, Armed Forces Medical College, NIMS University, Kasturba Medical College, etc.

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BSc Nursing Core Subjects

Students wishing to pursue BSc Nursing must be aware of the BSc Nursing subjects and syllabus of the course in order to acquire an understanding of the course structure. The core B.Sc Nursing subjects list is mentioned below: 

  • Introduction to Nursing
  • Human anatomy
  • Community Health and Nursing
  • Biomedical waste management
  • Chemistry
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BSc Nursing Elective Subjects

An elective subject, sometimes known as an ‘optional subject’, is one that is not obligatory (unlike core subjects discussed above). Students can choose what elective subjects they would like to take as per their interests. The following are the elective subjects for BSc Nursing:

Subject NameSubject Specifications
Infant Health NursingChild nursing places a high priority on the wellbeing of newborns, kids, and teenagers as well as their growth and development and ability to reach their full potential as adults. The course also covers topics such as an introduction to contemporary childcare principles, raising a healthy kid, nursing management of common paediatric disorders, managing behavioural and social difficulties in children, etc.
Nursing Statistics and ResearchApplying recent and cutting-edge research to patient care delivery is the focus of nursing statistics and research. Students gain information about health and its promotion throughout their lifetime through this course. Students learn how to successfully address current or potential health issues in this course.
Midwifery and Obstetrical NursingThe concepts and guiding ideas of midwifery and obstetrical nursing are covered in this course. In hospitals and community environments, students can learn about the competencies needed for high-risk pregnant women during the prenatal, natal, and postnatal stages.
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B.Sc Nursing Practical Subjects

Apart from the list of abovementioned core and elective subjects, BSc in Nursing also includes many practical subjects in the course curriculum. In the concluding year, the focus will be on imparting practical knowledge based on industry standards through different subjects as mentioned below:

Nursing FoundationMidwifery and Obstetric Nursing
Medical-Surgical NursingCommunity Health Nursing
Mental Health NursingResearch Project on Nursing
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BSc Nursing for Different Specialisations Offered

Being no stranger to the BSc Nursing Syllabus and subject specifications, let us discuss the different types of specialisations offered. The nursing programmes offer a wide variety of specialisations, all of which are thoroughly discussed below.

Offered SpecialisationSpecifications/DetailsTopics Covered
Advanced Diploma in Ophthalmic Care ManagementIt educates students about eye conditions. If students desire to concentrate on ophthalmology, they can select this one-year specialisation.
  • Equipment related to ophthalmology, refraction, and optics
  • Ophthalmic methods, glasses for refraction, and optics
  • Community ophthalmology, common eye problems, and health education
  • Scientific fundamentals to ophthalmology
Diploma in Emergency and Trauma Care TechnicianThe lectures train students to work in the healthcare industry and cope with injury and accident emergencies. Students are taught how to handle critical, emergency, and trauma cases in this course.
  • Practical anatomy and physiology
  • The fundamentals of critical care services
  • Medicine in practice
  • Emergency Equipment
  • Physiology and general anatomy
  • Molecular biology & pathology
  • Pharmacology
  • The use of triage
Diploma in Home NursingFor people who desire to work as in-home nurses, this can be a specialisation. The study of techniques that treat patients and save their lives is the focus of this medically connected course.
  • Nursing in community health
  • Environmental cleanliness
  • First aid
  • The basics of nursing
  • Medical economics
  • Nursing in medicine and surgery
  • Psychiatric and mental health nursing
  • Personal grooming
  • Sociology
Diploma in Nursing AdministrationStudents can manage the nursing team at a care facility with the help of this diploma. They create the timetables, carry out the directives, and create the budget.
  • Societal dynamics
  • Administration of a school, hospital, and neighbourhood
  • Nursing administration's guiding principles and techniques
  • Management of resources
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BSc Nursing Important Books

For BSc Nursing to be a highly coveted course with diverse specialisations, students must read a wide range of books over the course to concrete their understanding of the subject matter. The following table highlights some most important books to study BSc Nursing course subjects in detail:

Book NameSubject of StudyBy AuthorBrief Book Description
Textbook of biochemistry & biophysics for nursesBiochemistryDr C P BavejaThe use of chemistry in the investigation of cellular and molecular biological processes.
Essentials of human anatomy & physiologyHuman anatomyElaine MariebThe study of human body structure.
Food & nutrition for nursingNutritionRuma SinghAdvantages of food nutrients and how they relate to health, disease, and diet.
Psychology for nursesPsychologyR SreevaniThe scientific investigation of the mind and behaviour through this field.
The sociological imaginationSociologyWright MillsThe study of social change, social interaction, and the effects of human behaviour on society.
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BSc Nursing Best OBG Books

The books on midwifery and obstetrical nursing listed below are written by well-known writers. Students can use them as resources as they prepare for the course. The following table outlines the best OBG books that are suitable for the BSc Nursing syllabus:

Book NameBy Author
Casebook of Midwifery & Obstetrical Nursing for BSc Nursing StudentsYasmin Mansoori
DC Dutta’s Textbook of ObstetricsHiralal Konar
Midwifery and Gynecological NursingPV Books
Midwifery and Obstetrical NursingNima Bhaskar
Midwifery and Obstetrical NursingJ B Sharma
Midwifery & Obstetrics for BSc Nursing StudentsDr Shally Magon- Sanju Sira
Midwifery Record Book for BSc Nursing StudentsMarie Elizabeth Pinto
Textbook of Midwifery and Gynecological NursingRam Kumar Gupta
Textbook of Midwifery and Gynecological NursingNisha Clement
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BSc Nursing Syllabus for Projects

BSc Nursing course is a 4-year program which also includes a final research project to be worked on and submitted by the students in their final year of the undergraduate program. All students are eligible to independently choose their research topic for projects, which are designed to help them learn about a specific topic or specialization in greater depth and detail. Mentioned below is the list of best examples of some popular research essays:

Study on Pathology and GeneticsMedical-Surgical Nursing
Community Health NursingChild Health Nursing
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FAQs about BSc Nursing Syllabus

How many subjects are there in BSc Nursing 1st year?

The first year syllabus of BSc Nursing iis divided into 2 semesters including the following subjects: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Nutrition, Microbiology, Introduction to Computers, English, Psychology, Microbiology, Nursing Foundations

Is first year BSc Nursing Syllabus difficult?

The BSc Nursing 1st year syllabus is somewhat difficult for freshers. However, with proper guidance and best books to abide by, one can easily score g9od marks in BSc Nursing first year.

Is BSc Nursing easy?

The answer is, yes. However, it requires to study hard, get organized, and prepare to gain insights into the practical challenges in the field of Nursing. 

Which is the hardest subject in BSc Nursing 1st year?

Some of the hardest subjects in BSc Nursing first year syllabus are Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Evidence-Based Practice, etc.

Which is the easiest subject in nursing?

Some of the easiest classes in nursing school tend to be general education courses. These often focus on the memorization of key terminology or the development of soft skills, such as collaboration and communication.

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