BSc Nursing Course

BSc Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a 4-year undergraduate program that prepares students to serve humanity with the help of medical treatment. Students can pursue this course after completing their 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (as compulsory subjects). BSc Nursing course can also be studied by General Nursing and Midwifery (G.N.M) degree holders.

A BSc Nursing course focuses on imparting knowledge to students on critical care, and advanced analytical skills, and helps them inculcate values that are necessary for becoming professional nurses as per the National Health Policy 2002. This program is designed to help students address the healthcare sector’s needs of the nation, society, and individuals. 

Admission to a BSc Nursing Course is provided through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). However, some states also conduct their own nursing entrance exam or have their own admission process by filling out online application forms. There is a chance of creating a bright future and promising career by studying BSc Nursing such as becoming a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, case manager, nurse anaesthetist, nurse educator, nurse practitioner, or staff nurse. 

BSc Nursing can be pursued online, offline, and in distance learning mode. Some of the top BSc Nursing colleges are AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, CMC Vellore, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Insitute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, BHU, Varanasi, etc. The average course fee for BSc Nursing ranges from INR 8000 to INR 1LPA. 

According to the Indian Nursing Council, the BSc Nursing course is based on CBCS (Choice-Based Credit System). While individual BSc Nursing colleges and institutions have the freedom of designing the program, every educational institute needs to abide by the rules and regulations specified by the Indian Nursing Council (INC). The guidelines also dictate that the students pursue courses that are foundational, core as well as elective.

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing has a lot to offer to students in terms of a bright career. Here are some of the important highlights to focus on:  

If a candidate is wondering whether a BSc Nursing course is the right choice, then there are some solid reasons that state why one should choose the course to begin their career as a licensed and professional nurse:

• Job satisfaction

The most important reason behind choosing to study BSc in Nursing and the nursing profession is job satisfaction. Almost 94% of nursing graduate students get a job within 6 months of completing their 4-year undergraduate degree.

• Career mobility

After completing a BSc Nursing course, a Registered Nurse can choose to work in a variety of workplaces like hospitals, healthcare facilities, etc. They can also choose to work in frontline trauma care. A nurse’s role also gets extended to public health or community setting. If a candidate is interested in teaching, job roles as educators in nursing schools also are excellent career choices.

• Apply for specialisation

A registered nurse is eligible to work in any hospital or clinic. But the nursing profession offers you the choice to specialise in different sub-fields. Many students after completing their BSc Nursing degree opt for a field of specialisation that makes them qualified to become an infant nurse, midwife, or neonatal nurse. So choose the desired field accordingly and pursue a master’s degree in the future for specialisation.

• Endless learning opportunities

Every job comes with its set of challenges and difficulties. But a nurse can tell you that each day is different and they keep learning more and more which keeps them interested and excited about their profession.

• Collaborating with other professions

Nurses often need to work with teams of healthcare professionals and are required to lead the team. They have managing duties while coordinating with patient care, planning, implementing and evaluating different programs. So these are all learning opportunities that a student can look forward to when studying for a BSc Nursing degree.

• Nurses will always be required

A nurse will always be needed and they play a huge role in a hospital care setting. Just like a healthcare setting cannot function without qualified doctors, without qualified and registered nurses, there will be an increase in the hospital mortality rate and a reduction in patient satisfaction and quality of life. Hence, a nurse’s job is here to stay and the demand for RNs (Registered Nurse) will increase in future.

After completing the BSc Nursing course students can choose from a number of specialisations to choose from like Critical Care Nursing, Cardio-Thoracic Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Operation Room Nursing, Oncology Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, and Dialysis technology. Let’s take a look at some of them:

Diploma in Critical Care Nursing (DCCN)

Professionals who have already completed their BSc in Nursing can pursue this specialised course. The job of a critical care nurse is to provide care to individuals who are admitted to an ICU or are under some other extensive care therapy. The duration of the course can range anywhere from 1 to 3 years.

Diploma in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Nursing (Diploma in CVT)

Nurses also can join another important specialisation where they learn how to enhance their knowledge of taking care of patients suffering from acute and chronic cardiac issues. By pursuing this course, nurses become proficient in cardiology and cardiothoracic care. Nurses who completed their Diploma in CVT, after getting their B Sc Nursing degree can work in operation theatres, cath labs, special wards and ICUs. Based on the structure of the course, it can take a few months to two years to complete this course.

Diploma in Nursing Administration

After completing a B Sc Nursing course, a candidate can also choose to pursue Diploma in Nursing Administration as a specialisation. This enables and prepares nurses to take up the role of leader. However, in order to go for this specialisation, one must not only have a BSc Nursing degree but also have at least 2 years of working experience. This course can take anywhere between one year to 3 years.

PG Diploma in Emergency Nursing

If you have completed your BSc Nursing course and want to work in the emergency department, this is your course. Emergency Nursing Diploma trains nurses to perform various procedures like handling patients with trauma, resuscitation process, intubation, etc. This speciality is highly in demand in hospital and healthcare settings.

Post Basic Diploma in Operation Room Nursing (PBDORN)

This important course teaches nurses to handle major surgeries and any function related to that in the operating theatre of hospitals and institutes.

PG Diploma and Fellowships in Paediatric Critical Care Nursing

A specialised course in Paediatric Critical Care Nursing is designed to teach nurses to take care of children and infants who are being treated in an ICU. This course is extremely specialised and nurses who complete their PG Diploma and Fellowships in Paediatric Critical Care Nursing are an important part of the Intensive Care Units in various hospitals.

PG Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

Nurses who have completed their BSc Nursing course and want to receive specialised training to take care of patients who are suffering from various mental health issues and diseases can opt for this specialisation. This course allows nurses to work in the department of psychiatry and psychiatric intensive care units.

BSc Nursing has two-course options for candidates to choose from:

Basic BSc Nursing - To enrol on this course, a candidate needs to pass his or her 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as mandatory subjects. They also need to be medically fit.

Post-Basic B Sc Nursing – Candidates must have Physics, Chemistry and Biology as mandatory subjects and get a certificate in GNM Nursing. He/she must also be a Registered Nurse Registered Midwife (RNRM) from the State Nurses Registration Council.

One also has to provide proof of their training done under the INC (Indian Nursing Council) or a body that is equivalent in these domains:

• Operation Theatre (OT) Techniques
• Community Health Nursing
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Leprosy Nursing
• TB Nursing
• Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing
• Cancer Nursing
• Orthopaedic Nursing

In India, there are a number of entrance exams that are conducted so students can gain admission in B Sc Nursing courses. Here is a list of the most common entrance exams:

• JIPMER exam
• AJEE exam
• AUAT exam
• BHU UET exam
• MNS Entrance Exam
• NEET exam

BSc Nursing Entrance Exam Preparation Guide

In order to enrol oneself in a B Sc Nursing, preparing for the entrance exam is extremely important. Check out some of the most important guidelines for clearing the BSc Nursing Entrance exam without any kind of difficulty.

• Get an early start: it is important for students to know the right time to begin their preparation for it. At least 6 months’ time would be required to score good grades in the exam and allow candidates to choose from the top colleges in India offering a B Sc Nursing course.
• Analysis of the subjects as per their importance. Students also need to pay more attention to subjects like Medical-Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Genetics, Nutrition, etc.
• Staying updated on the extra papers and secondary BSc Nursing subjects is also crucial for the preparation of B Sc Nursing entrance exam.

The B Sc Nursing course is available in two segments- BSc Basic and BSc Post Basic. Here are the details of the eligibility criteria:

BSc Nursing Course

• For getting admission in a BSc Nursing course, the minimum age of a candidate must be 17 years on the 31st December of the year of admission.
• A minimum educational qualification of 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English Core or English Elective. An aggregate score of 50% marks from recognised boards under AISSCE/CBSE/ICSE/SSCE/HSCE or any other equivalent board.
• Candidates need to be medically fit.
• Candidates who are appearing for their 10+2 exams in Science under the National Institute of Open School must achieve a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.

 Post Basic BSc Nursing

•  Candidates must pass the higher secondary or senior secondary or intermediate or 10+2 or any equivalent exam which is recognised for this purpose. Candidates who have completed their 10+1 in or before 1986 are also eligible for BSc Nursing admission.
• Candidates also need to be medically fit
• Candidates must have obtained a certificate in General Nursing and Midwifery and have registered themselves as R.N.R.M. under the State Nurses Registration Council. Any male nurse who has received training prior to the implementation of the new and integrated course besides being registered as a nurse under the State Nurses Registration Council must produce evidence of training that is approved by the Indian Nursing Council for a similar duration to that of midwifery in any of these following areas:

o   Ophthalmic Nursing

o   O.T. Techniques

o   Leprosy Nursing

o   TB Nursing

o   Psychiatric Nursing

o   Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing

o   Community Health Nursing

o   Cancer Nursing

o   Orthopaedic Nursing

The process of gaining admission in a BSc Nursing is both through entrance exam score and merit. However, top medical and BSc Nursing colleges in India mainly consider marks scored in entrance exams. The application form for BSc Nursing is mostly released between the months of April and June followed by the process of admission.

Candidates who have qualified the eligibility criteria for the entrance test need to go through two steps before the final selection in BSc Nursing colleges in India:

• Filling out the online application form
• Appearing in the entrance exam

A nursing course trains students on several medical aspects and different ways to take care of a patient. Hence, prior to BSc Nursing admission to any of the undergraduate nursing courses, it is important to understand the difference between BSc Nursing and Post Basic BSc Nursing.

BSc Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an undergraduate course of four years. The main objective of this program is to make students develop skills and knowledge that make them competent in nursing care. The approach adopted is based on problem-solving in hospitals, communities, and the like. BSc Nursing aims toward the development of critical thinking skills, competence and standards that are necessary for the practice of professional midwifery and nursing. The BSc Nursing course in India falls under the jurisdiction of the Indian Nursing Council. Once a candidate completes his or her B Sc Nursing degree, options of post-graduation, specialisation, and doctorate degree in Nursing are also available.

Post Basic BSc Nursing, (also referred to as P.B.BSc Nursing) is an undergraduate course of two years. The course moves in a similar way to that of BSc Nursing and contains a holistic mixture of hands-on training as well as classroom lecturers. The aim of Post Basic Nursing is to create nurses who are experts and can work in hospitals and healthcare establishments. Some of the objectives of this course include monitoring the medical condition of patients, administering medicines, communicating with doctors, filling up charts and maintaining records. By opting for Post Basic BSc Nursing, students also have the chance of pursuing higher education.

In India, there are several BSc Nursing Colleges for students to choose from and become professionals in the field. Some of the institutions are private while others are government institutes. Here is a list of the top B Sc Nursing Colleges in India:

Candidates who can afford to study BSc Nursing Abroad have an amazing chance of developing practical knowledge in the field in comparison to domestic students. Course duration varies from one college to another. However, the course duration on average is 3 to 4 years which varies from country to country.

BSc Nursing Abroad Eligibility

Before you decide to study BSc Nursing Abroad, check the eligibility criteria as mentioned here:

• A student needs to successfully complete 15 years of study qualifications
• Personal statement from the student
• At least 70% in the class 12 boards’ exam
• A minimum of 2 references
• 1 to 2 years of work experience
• Proof of proficiency in the English Language
• A high-quality portfolio
• Good interview performance

A candidate also needs to have these language requirements for studying B Sc Nursing abroad below:

• A minimum of 5.5 in IELTS
• A minimum 90 in TOEFL
• A minimum of 61 in PTE

Here is a list of the best colleges abroad for studying B Sc Nursing

Here is a comprehensive tabular form for the BSc Nursing course fees along with their NIRF Ranking:

BSc Nursing 1st year syllabus

The very first year of the BSc Nursing syllabus makes students familiar with a wide variety of BSc Nursing subjects list and foundational concepts like anatomy, physiology, first aid, fundamentals of nursing, etc. Take a look at the 1st year B Sc Nursing syllabus:

BSc Nursing 2nd year syllabus

 While studying B Sc Nursing in 2nd year, the focus will be on surgical assistance along with health education. Here is a comprehensive view of the second year of the BSc Nursing syllabus pdf:

BSc Nursing 3rd year syllabus

The third year is crucial in the course and involves the completion of training programs in emergency wards of hospitals and clinics. A great deal of theoretical emphasis will be present on the economic as well as sociological fundamentals of nursing. Here is a table containing the BSc Nursing syllabus for 3rd year:

BSc Nursing 4th year syllabus

The final year of the B Sc Nursing syllabus includes imparting practical knowledge that is based on the industry standards with the help of different BSc Nursing subjects like midwifery, research methodologies, obstetrics nursing, etc.

BSs Nursing Subjects - Practical

There are several practical concepts and topics that students must know about along with theory subjects in the overall course curriculum. The table given below depicts the major practical subjects taught in most of the best BSc Nursing Colleges in India.

B Sc Nursing course spans over a period of 4 years and along with theoretical concepts, there are many essential skills related to child and mental health nursing, management of nursing services, anatomy, community health, etc. are imparted.

Here is a table containing various topics covered throughout the 4-year course of BSc Nursing:

There are a number of opportunities for candidates who have completed their B Sc Nursing. It can be either a job or to continue with higher education.

Some of the popular jobs that candidates can apply for after B Sc Nursing:

The medical and healthcare sector is extremely dynamic and it is always expanding. Hence, the demand for well-trained nurses is only to increase further in the forthcoming years. Moreover, nurses form one of the key pillars of the healthcare sector. Hence, there is a lot of scope for development in terms of jobs as well as higher education for students choosing B Sc Nursing.

According to the data available in the public domain, the average salary for candidates with B Sc Nursing in India can range anywhere between INR 3- 7.5 Lakhs per annum. However, the salary also varies on the designation of candidates:

Candidates study from the best universities and colleges to ensure that they land a job at an esteemed organization. They wish to secure lucrative packages and build a bright future. Here are the top recruiters for BSc nursing graduates.

• Apollo Hospitals Enterprise

• Medanta Medicity

• Fortis Healthcare

• Columbia Asia Hospital

• Global Hospitals

• Wockhardt Hospitals

• Manipal Hospital

• Max Hospital

Learning is a never-ending process. Some choose to grasp practical knowledge on the job while others opt for pursuing further studies. Students who aim to polish their knowledge with quality information along with gaining some experience in practical work can go for higher Masters’ or doctoral degrees.

Higher education not only adds value to your skills, but also provides you more experience and knowledge. Here’s one of the most sought after course after BSc nursing.

MSc Nursing
MSc Nursing is a PG qualification program that lasts for 2 years. Listed below are some more details about MSc nursing.

• The course is hinged around thinking about the patients and how to assist them to the best of one's capabilities.

• One must complete BSc Nursing studies or Post Basic BSc Nursing (P.B.B.Sc.) course with a minimum of 55% marks to secure admission in MSc Nursing. 

• Admissions are strictly entrance-based. The total average fee charged to pursue this course ranges anywhere between INR 30,000 to INR 1 lakh per annum. 

Other courses one can pursue are:

• MSc (Medical-Surgical) Nursing

• PG Diploma in Nursing

In order to excel at what you do, one needs to have the X-Factor; a distinguishing aspect or trait that separates you from the rest. Similarly, to build a bright future after completing BSc nursing degree, one must possess these skills:

• Empathy

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to network

• Well-organized and punctual

• Ability to tackle challenging situations

• Staying calm under extreme pressure

• Multitasking