M.Sc. Nursing: Course Details, Admission, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs & Salary

M.Sc Nursing Overview

M.Sc. Nursing, short for Master of Science in Nursing, is a postgraduate level programme. The course aims at catering to the field of Nursing and Applied Sciences. The duration of M.Sc. Nursing is for two years. 

The delivery method of M.Sc. Nursing course includes lectures, seminars, practical work, extensive lab and on-field training. Students have to submit their research thesis in the final semester of the programme. In the final evaluation, class assignments of the students, research project and end-semester exams are taken into account. 

The eligibility criteria for M.Sc. Nursing includes a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. The syllabus of the course is divided into two years. In the first year of M.Sc. Nursing, students study about the Advanced Nursing subjects, Clinical Nursing, Nursing Education and Research and Statistics. In the second year of the programme, students study Nursing Management and work on their research thesis. 

Candidates can get all the details about M.Sc. Nursing course in India from specialization to admission process to job prospects in the content below.

M.Sc. Nursing Course Highlights

M.Sc. Nursing is a two year course for which one can apply after successful completion of B. Sc. Nursing or equivalent B.Sc.degree. It is a full time course but individual colleges offer part time specialization courses as well. Find below the highlights of the M.Sc. Nursing course.

When to do a M.Sc Nursing Course?

Candidates can opt for M.Sc. Nursing course after completion of a B.Sc. in Nursing from a deemed university. Candidates can also opt for M.Sc. Nursing after completion of Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing. While admission after completion of B.Sc. Nursing requires no added work experience, opting for M.Sc. Nursing after Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing requires a minimum of one year work experience before or after the B.Sc. Post Basic Nursing.

Colleges offering M.Sc. Nursing courses provide admission to the course depending on merit but at times, some colleges require the candidates to pass their entrances or the state entrance, if any.

Who should do M.Sc Nursing?

M.Sc. Nursing is a professional degree that enables the students to work as Nurses assisting the Doctors with the patients. Nurses with M.Sc. Nursing degrees are responsible for decision making and taking specialized care of the patients. It opens up positions of responsibility that will only increase with time and never go out of need. Candidates who look forward to helping people, take specialized care and are capable of handling the responsibility of making decisions and assisting the Doctors should opt for M.Sc. Nursing.

M.Sc. Nursing also opens up the prospect and eligibility for further specializations like M.Phil and PhD.

Why choose M.Sc Nursing?

M.Sc. Nursing as a course is highly beneficial for the professionals of this field. With its multiple specializations and prospects of higher studies, it single handedly boosts the career and scope of em[ployment.

• M.Sc. Nursing trains Nurses to work in different environments, under various situations. They are more capable and skilled and are in higher demand.
• M.Sc. Nursing opens up opportunities for higher education like M.Phil Degree and PhD.
• M.Sc. Nursing students are employed during their duration of study as part of their course. They receive a significantly higher salary package post completion of their M.Sc. Nursing degree.

M.Sc. Nursing candidates, post their degree, are employed in positions of significant importance as registered nurse, nurse in charge, nursing supervisor, nursing executive, nurse educator, paramedic nurse, certified professional coder, clinical nurse manager, nursing director. They are sought by Doctors to assist them in treating patients.

How many courses are there in M.Sc Nursing?

Unlike several other fields, M.Sc. Nursing is a specialized degree dedicated to one field with limited branches. There aren't many varieties available for students to choose from as it is already a dedicated degree. Yet, students can opt for a generic M.Sc. Nursing degree or opt for a specialization nursing course. There are a vast array of specialization courses for M.Sc. Nursing available in India. 

M.Sc. Nursing:

 The course follows a generic curriculum and covers the bases for all courses. It equips the students with skills, knowledge and practice to handle every situation and assist with every type of patient. Nurses with M.Sc. Nursing degrees are valuable assets in every situation and are well versed to assist Doctors from every field in their full capacity. 

M.Sc. Nursing Specialization: 

There are several specializations in M.Sc. Nursing. Few of them, for example, are- 

• Medical and Surgical Nursing
• Neuroscience and Mental Health Nursing
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Critical Care Nursing

While generic M.Sc. Nursing focuses on covering the bases for every field, department, situation, position, specialized courses focuses on the given specialization only and equips the student with knowledge, skills and relevant practices to take care and responsibility for patients within that specific field.

M.Sc. Nursing Specializations

There are various M.Sc. Nursing specializations in India that students can opt for. The specializations can be done as part of their M.Sc. Nursing course or a standalone course for a  more specific career path. Here is a list of the specializations to candidates’ reference. 

• Medical and Surgical Nursing
• Gynaecology and Obstetrics Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Neuroscience and Mental Health Nursing
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Critical Care Nursing
• Oncological Nursing
• Neonatal Infant and Newborn Nursing
• Nephrological Nursing

M.Sc. Nursing Eligibility Criteria

In order to get admission in the course, candidates must have to fulfill the eligibility criteria for M.Sc. Nursing. Candidates must know that the criteria may change from institution to institution. But, we have mentioned the common requirements for the course below. 

• Candidates must have pursued a B.Sc. (Bachelor in Science) degree in Nursing or Post Basic Nursing.
• The candidate must have a minimum of one year work experience before or after their B.Sc. in Post Basic Nursing for admission in M.Sc. Nursing. For students seeking admission in M.Sc. Nursing post completion of their B.Sc. Nursing degree, admission will be based on merit or entrance. 
• Candidates must have been awarded the degree from a recognised university. 
• The minimum required scores for different universities vary but on an average scoring 55% aggregate is required for admission in M.Sc. Nursing.
• For some institutions, candidates will have to qualify National Level/ State Level/ Institute Level entrance examinations to get admission in M.Sc. Nursing.

M.Sc. Nursing Types

M.Sc. Nursing is a very hands-on, practical degree with on field experience. The degree aims predominantly at imparting as much skills as knowledge. Even for theoretical knowledge, it is vital for M.Sc. Nursing students to know the application and use of the theory. Keeping these in mind, there are no distance learning courses for M.Sc. Nursing available for the students. It is a regular course, with two years of rigorous learning, practicing and sharpening their skills.

M.Sc. Nursing Admission Process

‘How to get admission in M.Sc. Nursing’ is a question that comes in every aspirant’s mind. So, here are the simple steps that candidates can follow to get admission in the course. It must be noted that the selection process can vary from college to college. So, it is always advisable for candidates to check with the official website of the intended colleges to ensure that they are well aware of the process. 

• Candidates will have to appear in different Nursing exams by applying for them. 
• After that, candidates who meet the cut-off scores of the entrance examination make it to the merit list. 
• The process is then followed by the counseling process. 
• After scrutinizing their documents, eligible candidates are allocated seats in the deserved college.
• In some colleges, candidates also have to appear in a personal interview round. 
• Some colleges offer direct admissions to the candidates based on their percentage at the undergraduate level.

M.Sc. Nursing Entrance Exams

Unlike NEET and other medical examinations, there are no combined entrances for M.Sc. Nursing. There are few state examinations for the state colleges but mostly the esteemed colleges prefer to conduct their own examinations or provide admission on the basis of merit. The few M.Sc. Nursing exams that take place in India are tabulated below.

M.Sc. Nursing Top Colleges in India

There are various government and private colleges in India offering M.Sc. Nursing courses. Some of the top M.Sc. Nursing colleges in India are tabulated below for your reference. Admissions in these colleges are done on the basis of their own entrances, and for the state colleges, on the basis of the state entrance exams, if any. 

Study M.Sc. Nursing Abroad

Candidates can also opt to study M.Sc. Nursing abroad. They can choose the college depending on the desired courses, fee structure and scholarships offered. The admission procedure and requirements vary from college to college. Candidates will have to apply to the colleges by visiting the official websites of the college.

M.Sc. Nursing Abroad Top Colleges

There are a lot of options when it comes to M.Sc. nursing colleges abroad. Picking up the M.Sc. Nursing abroad at top colleges can be difficult considering the number of options available. Choosing the colleges best suited for the students rely on a number of factors; fee structure, courses offered, scholarships, placement, practical experience. Tabulated below are the top colleges abroad for M.Sc. Nursing.

State Wise M.Sc. Nursing Admissions

As there are no combined entrances for M.Sc. Nursing, the admissions for M.Sc. Nursing is governed by states and different governing bodies. While not all colleges accept admissions on the basis of the scores of entrances and choose to conduct their own exams or just base the admission on merit basis, tabulated below are some of the exams conducted for state wise M.Sc. Nursing  admission.

M.Sc. Nursing Course Fee

There are over 850 Nursing colleges in India. The annual fee for M.Sc. Nursing varies from institution to institution. The average M.Sc. Nursing fee in India is 1.30 lakhs. Candidates can avail fee concessions or scholarships by applying for the fee waivers offered by different Nursing colleges. The average M.Sc. Nursing fees abroad can go as high as 60 lakhs INR.

M.Sc. Nursing Syllabus for Different Specializations

There are various specializations available for M.Sc. Nursing in India. While the base of the course remains similar, the syllabus for the specialization differs from the M.Sc. Nursing syllabus by focusing on the specialized field.

Required Skill Set for M.Sc. Nursing

A Nurse of M.Sc. Nursing works under varied environments and under different situations. They need an array of skill sets to keep them at the top of their game at all times and aid in the smooth functioning of work and ensure efficiency.

Course Curriculum for M.Sc. Nursing

The course curriculum for M.Sc. Nursing aims at instilling knowledge about the various fields of nursing and the skills required in the fields. It is a dedicated course and aims at skill development for caregiving professionals and assisting Doctors. The curriculum for M.Sc. Nursing includes the following subjects.

M.Sc. Nursing Course Syllabus

The duration of M.Sc. Nursing course is two years. Candidates can check the year wise detailed syllabus of the programme from the table below. 

M.Sc. Nursing Scope in India

M.Sc. Nursing scope in India is very high. It is a high in demand course as there is a high demand for Nurses. Keeping in mind the Covid scenario, the demand for specialized nurses over generic nurses has gone up. With a steep increase in the construction and setting up of hospitals, the need for medical practitioners- Nurses has also increased tenfold, a demand which is expected to keep increasing. Apart from their requirement in hospitals, the demand for Nurses for special care units and care homes have also skyrocketed around the world and the numbers hold true for India as well. Specialized Nurses are also sought as private caregivers for senior citizens and special needs children at homes.

What is M.Sc. Nursing salary?

M.Sc. Nursing salary in India starts from an average of 2 Lakhs per annum for a fresher. For experienced nurses, the salary packages go as high as 8 Lakhs per annum. The salary packages also depend on the recruiter. Nurses employed in private hospitals are offered higher packages compared to those employed in government hospitals. But Nurses employed in government hospitals are offered several perks alongside their salary packages. Nurses employed in care homes are likely to be paid upto 4 Lakhs per annum and those employed as caregivers at homes are likely to be paid upto 7-10 Lakhs per annum depending on their working hours.

Skills That Make You The Best M.Sc. Nursing Nurse

There are certain skill sets that are going to make one the best M.Sc. Nursing Nurse.

Caring: A Nurse is as much a caregiver as a healer. A caring Nurse can help relax their patients and keep them calm while helping them heal.

Attentive: A Nurse, at many times, is the first responder to cases. They should be able to gauge the situation and attention to detail is going to help them achieve the feat.

Calm: Many times, a Nurse can find themselves in chaotic situations. They should be able to keep their calm to work their way through it.

Patience: Patience is a Nurse’s friend; being patient and calm will help them while handling difficult cases.

Brave: Nurses, on a regular basis, see things that ordinary people cannot imagine. Bravery is their strongest ally to take them through the day.

Career Options and Job Prospects After M.Sc. Nursing

There are plenty of job opportunities for students after pursuing the master of Science in Nursing programme. Students can refer to some of the mentioned employment areas after M.Sc. Nursing. 

Fields of Employment after M.Sc.Nursing:

• Nursing Homes
• Military Hospitals
• Medicine Industry
• Medical Colleges and Universities
• Healthcare Centres
• Content Writing (Medical)

Other than that, here is a list of job posts mentioned for students who are looking for employment opportunities after M.Sc. Nursing. Candidates who have successfully completed their M.Sc. Nursing degrees can apply for the following posts. 

Posts for employment after M.Sc.Nursing:

• Ward Nurse
• Tutor (Psychiatric Nursing)
• Paramedic Nurse
• Occupational Health Nurse
• Nursing Tutor
• Nursing Supervisor
• Nursing In-Charge
• Nursing Executive
• Dietitian
• Medical Advisor
• Clinical Instructor
• Anaesthetist
• Assistant Nursing Superintendent