What is BSc Nursing?
BSc Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a 4-year undergraduate course in the field of Medical Science through which students learn how use medical treatments to aid others and treat ailments. To meet the minimum eligibility criteria for admission to BSc Nursing, students must obtain a higher secondary degree with at least 50% marks in the science stream with English, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics as core subjects. Another way to apply for a BSc Nursing degree is to complete a Diploma in Nursing. Along with imparting knowledge to students on critical care and advanced analytical skills, a BSc Nursing course also helps them inculcate values that are necessary for becoming professional nurses.
There are more than 6,000 approximately Nursing colleges in India that offer various degrees to students interested in this field. Aspirants can pursue a BSc Nursing degree in either of the three modes: online, offline, and through distance learning. BSc Nursing Syllabus covers a detailed course structure including topics related to the human body such as Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Psychology, Nutrition and Dietetics, etc. BSc Nursing Admission Process is conducted through major entrance exams such as AIIMS Nursing Exam, JENPAS, etc. Admission to BSc Nursing is also done through some individual state conducted native nursing entrance exams for prestigious institutions.
The BSc Nursing course fee in India is usually within the range of INR 10,000 to INR 2 LPA, depending upon the type of institution. Students who complete a BSc in Nursing degree have a wide scope of career avenues that they can embark upon. Some of the most popular BSc Nursing jobs include the roles of a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, case manager, nurse anaesthetist, nurse educator, nurse practitioner, or staff nurse. Among the top BSc Nursing colleges in India are AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, CMC Vellore, BHU, etc. The average BSc Nursing Salary may range from INR 2 LPA to INR 12 LPA based on a number of factors.
BSc Nursing Course Highlights
A BSc Nursing degree can propel a student’s career in the right direction. Check out the important highlights of BSc Nursing course in India.
| Particular | Detail |
| Course Name | BSc in Nursing |
| Course Level | Undergraduate (UG) |
| Course Duration | 4 Years |
| Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects |
| Admission Process | Through Entrance Exams followed by Counselling Process |
| Entrance Exams | NEETAIIMS BSc NursingRUHS BSc NursingCMC Vellore Nursing ExamJENPAS |
| Course Fee | INR 10,000 – 2,00,000 per annum |
| Top Colleges | All India Institute of Medical Science (New Delhi), Acharya Institute of Health Science (Bangalore) , Christian Medical College (Vellore), Armed Forces Medical College (Pune), Chandigarh University (Chandigarh), NIMS University (Jaipur),Kasturba Medical College (Mangalore), Madras Medical College (Chennai), King George’s Medical University (Lucknow) |
| Average Salary | |
| Job Profiles | Rehabilitation Specialist Assistant ,Nursing Officer Critical Care, Nurse Chief Nursing Officer Paramedic, Nurse Educator, Nurse Manager Instructor Lecture, Community Health Specialist, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Public Health Departments, Hospitals ,Home Health Agencies ,Community Organizations Wellness Centers, Faith Communities , Schools, etc. |
Why Study BSc Nursing?
There are several reasons to study a BSc Nursing course if candidates have a substantial interest in this field. Listed below are some gripping facts that will help students who are wondering whether a BSc Nursing course is the right choice for them. Go through these solid reasons that state why one should choose the course to begin their career as a licensed and professional nurse:
- Diverse Specializations: While a registered nurse is eligible to work in any hospital or clinic, the nursing profession offers you the choice to specialize in different sub-fields. After completing a BSc Nursing degree, many students opt for a field of specialization that makes them qualified to become an infant nurse, midwife, or neonatal nurse.
- Learning Opportunities: Every job comes with its set of challenges and difficulties and therefore, this is no exception. However, 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.
- Increasing Demand for Nurses: Nurses will always be in demand due to the continuous expansion of the healthcare sector. Just like a healthcare setting cannot function without qualified doctors, qualified and registered nurses are an imperative aspect without which the hospital mortality rate will increase and there will be a reduction in patient satisfaction and quality of life. The demand for jobs after BSc Nursing including RNs (Registered Nurses) will increase in future.
- Good Placement Record: Almost 94% of nursing graduate students get a job within 6 months of completing their 4-year undergraduate degree.
- Job Satisfaction: One of the most important reasons behind choosing to study BSc in Nursing and joining the nursing profession is job satisfaction.
- 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 opt for frontline trauma care or extend to public health or community settings. If a candidate is interested in teaching, job roles as educators in nursing schools also are excellent career choices.
Types of BSc Nursing Courses
There are two types of BSc Nursing courses that students can choose from. The eligibility criteria and admission process for both BSc Nursing courses vary with respect to colleges.
| BSc Nursing Course | Eligibility Criteria | Admission Process |
| Basic BSc Nursing | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as mandatory subjectsMedical fitness is mandatory | Entrance Exam + Counselling Process |
| Post-Basic BSc Nursing | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as mandatory subjects Certificate in GNM Nursing ,Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife (RNRM) from the State Nurses Registration Council Proof of INC Training (domains given below) | Entrance Exam + Counselling Process |
Candidates aspiring for admission to Post Basic BSc Nursing also have to provide proof of their training done under the INC (Indian Nursing Council) or a body that is equivalent in these domains:
| Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing | Community Health Nursing |
| fitnessPsychiatric Nursing | Cancer Nursing |
| Leprosy Nursing | Operation Theatre (OT) Techniques |
| TB Nursing | Orthopedic Nursing |
BSc Nursing Eligibility Criteria
Meeting the BSc Nursing eligibility criteria is mandatory for any aspirant willing to pursue the course. Depending upon the type of BSc in Nursing course in which a candidate seeks admission, they will have to ensure they qualify all educational and personal requirements of the colleges for which they are aiming. Go through the detailed eligibility criteria for BSc Nursing courses listed below:
- Educational Qualification: The candidate must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English Core or English Elective with a minimum aggregate score of 50% from recognised boards under AISSCE/ CBSE/ ICSE/ SSCE/ HSCE or any other equivalent board.
- Age Limit: For getting admission in a BSc Nursing course, the minimum age of the applicant must be 17 years on the 31st December of the year of admission.
- Physical Requirement: The 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 have scored a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
Note:
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:
- Ophthalmic Nursing
- O.T. Techniques
- Leprosy Nursing
- TB Nursing
- Psychiatric Nursing
- Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Cancer Nursing
- Orthopaedic Nursing
BSc Nursing Admission Process
Admission to the BSc Nursing course is mostly based on BSc Nursing entrance exams in India. Eligible candidates have to apply for the required entrance exam in online or offline mode. It is mandatory for students to know the entire BSc Nursing admission process of their desired medical college before applying. This will help them be prepared for each stage of admission beforehand without missing any deadline.
The step by step BSc Nursing admission process has been explained briefly in the points below. Students must check the detailed procedure followed by the college in which they seek admission.
BSc Nursing Application Process
Step 1: Fill out the required BSc Nursing entrance exam application form by submitting documents and paying the application fee.
Step 2: Appear for the entrance examination.
Step 3: Apply for admission to different colleges, if required.
Step 4: Colleges will start conducting their BSc Nursing counselling process soon after the entrance exam results are out. Participate in the counselling (online or offline) and complete all formalities.
Step 5: Pay the BSc Nursing admission fee once you secure your seat in the allocated college.
BSc Nursing Course Syllabus
BSc Nursing syllabus includes a wide range of topics encompassing medical treatments and the medical industry. Students can also choose to specialise in a particular BSc Nursing subject of their interest. Given below is the year wise syllabus and subjects of BSc Nursing course. Students must note that this is the general curriculum and it may vary from college to college.
BSc Nursing 1st Year Syllabus
In the very first year of pursuing a BSc Nursing course, the BSc Nursing syllabus may acquaint students 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 BSc Nursing syllabus:
| Name of BSc Nursing Subjects | Syllabus (1st Year) |
| Physiology | Composition and Function of BloodCardiovascular SystemExcretory SystemEndocrine and Metabolism |
| Anatomy | Skeletal and Joint SystemRespiratory SystemMuscular SystemDigestive System |
| Nutrition and Dietetics | Different methods of cooking and their effect on the bodyMeaning of Food, Nutrition, and DieteticsMethods of Calculating CaloriesTherapeutic adaptations of a normal diet |
| Biochemistry | Amino AcidsIntroduction and Classification of CarbohydratesCatabolism of Nucleic AcidEnzymes, Nature, and Functions |
BSc Nursing 2nd Year Syllabus
While studying BSc 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:
| Name of BSc Nursing Subjects | Syllabus (2nd Year) |
| Psychiatric Nursing | Principles and Applications of Psychiatric NursingNursing approaches as per the behaviours, disorders, aggression, etcRole in Chemotherapy, Psychotherapy, Occupational Therapy, etc.Psychiatric Emergencies |
| Medical-Surgical Nursing | Maintaining the body dynamic equilibriumMedical and surgical nursing management of patients with Angina, hypertension, etc.Principles of Orthopaedic Nursing and TechniquesENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Nursing |
| Operation Theatre Techniques | Sterilisation of InstrumentsTypes of AnaesthesiaHow to care for patients before, after and during the operationKnowing the instruments |
| Health Education | Concept, Scope, Limitations, and Benefits of Health EducationHealth Communication and TeachingAudio-Visual AidsMethods of Health Education |
| Microbiology | Morphology and classification of bacterial Factors and conditions affecting the growth of bacteria Immunity and Immunisation Process Serological tests and their corresponding diseases |
| Advanced Procedures | Blood Examination, Lumbar Air Study, Electrocardiography, Angiocardiography |
BSc Nursing 3rd Year Syllabus
The third year is crucial in the BSc Nursing 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:
| Name of BSc Nursing Subjects | Syllabus (3rd year) |
| Public Health Nursing and Health Administration | History of Community Medicine and Community NursingOrganisation and Administration of Health ServicesRole of Epidemiology in Community HealthPrinciples and Concepts of Public Health |
| Maternal and Child Health | Nutritional needs for children and adultsDevelopment of the Maternal and Child Health CareSocio-Economic Factors affecting childcareFamily Welfare Programs |
| Sociology and Social Medicine | Social structure of the society and individualThe city and the country: Sociological and Economical contrastsHuman RelationsSignificance of Sociology in Nursing |
| Trends in Nursing and Professional Adjustment | Popular Nursing ProgramsRole of famous international organisations in the development of the nursing professionNursing Registration and LegislationNurse’s role in family planning |
BSc Nursing 4th Year Syllabus
The final year of the BSc 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. Check out the BSc Nursing syllabus for 4th year in the table given below:
| Name of BSc Nursing Subjects | Syllabus (4th year) |
| Midwifery and Obstetrics Nursing | Anatomy and PhysiologyEmbryologyPreparation for DeliveryPhysiology of Labour |
| Principles of Nursing Services, Administration, and Supervision | Formal and Informal Organizational Structure Elementary Principles of MedicinePhilosophy of SupervisionMedico-Legal Aspects of MCH services |
| Introduction to Research and Statistics | Types of measures, graphs methods of presentationIntroduction to Computer ScienceMicrosoft WindowsIntroduction to Database |
| English (or any other Foreign Language) | Literature book as prescribed by the college/ universityEssay, Letter WritingGrammar topics like Speech, Articles, Direct and Indirect, Idioms, etc. |
BSs Nursing Practical Subjects
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.
| Research Project on Nursing | Mental Health Nursing |
| Nursing Foundation | Medical Surgical Nursing |
| Midwifery and Obstetric Nursing | Community Health Nursing |
Popular BSc Nursing Courses and Specializations
A number of BSc Nursing specializations are available for students after they complete a BSc Nursing course. Some popular BSc Nursing specializations include Critical Care Nursing, Cardio-Thoracic Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Operation Room Nursing, Oncology Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Dialysis technology, etc. The table given below provides some important details of each course specialization along with its duration.
| Course Name | Course Duration | Course Details |
| Diploma in Critical Care Nursing (DCCN) | 1 – 3 years | 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. |
| Diploma in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Nursing (Diploma in CVT) | 6 months – 2 years | By pursuing this course, nurses become proficient in cardiology and cardiothoracic care which often demand special care for patients with heart problems. Nurses who completed their Diploma in CVT, after getting their BSc Nursing degree can work in operation theatres, path labs, special wards and ICUs. |
| Diploma in Nursing Administration | 1 – 3 years | This course enables and prepares nurses to take up the role of leader. Along with a BSc Nursing degree, candidates will also need to have at least 2 years of working experience. |
| PG Diploma in Emergency Nursing | 1 – 2 years | 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) | 1 year | This course teaches nurses to handle major surgeries and any function related to them in the operating theatres of hospitals and institutes. |
| PG Diploma and Fellowships in Paediatric Critical Care Nursing | 1 year | This course teaches nurses to take care of children and infants who are being treated in an ICU. Nurses who complete their PG Diploma and Fellowships in Paediatric Critical Care Nursing are an important part of the ICUs in various hospitals. |
| PG Diploma in Mental Health Nursing | 1 – 2 years | Nurses who have completed their BSc Nursing course and want to receive specialized training to take care of patients who are suffering from various mental health issues and diseases can opt for this specialization. This course allows them to work in the department of psychiatry and psychiatric ICUs. |
Skills Required for BSc Nursing
The BSc Nursing course requires candidates to possess certain skills that will help them in having a successful career. To excel in the chosen medical field, candidates who wish to pursue a course in BSc Nursing must possess some distinguishing characteristics or traits that separate them from the rest, to help build a successful career in the future. Therefore, let us take a look at the skills required for BSc Nursing that will lead to a bright future after completing the degree:
- Empathy
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to network
- Well-organized
- Punctuality
- Discipline
- Ability to tackle challenging situations
- Staying calm under extreme pressure
- Multitasking
- Problem solving skills
Career Options after BSc Nursing
There are a number of career options after BSc Nursing that candidates who have completed their degree can pursue. Students can also choose to opt for higher studies after BSc Nursing and apply for a course like MSc etc.
Some of the popular jobs after BSc Nursing that candidates can apply for are listed below:
- Nursing Assistant
- Home Care Nurses
- Nurse- Nursery school
- Nurse and Patient Educator
- Junior Psychiatric Nurse
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Staff Nurse
- Nursing Service Administrators
- Industrial Nurse
- Department Supervisor
- Nursing Supervisor
- Nursing Superintendent
- Community Health Nurse
- Director of Nursing
- Military Nurse
- Deputy Nursing Superintendent
- Teacher of Nursing
BSc Nursing Salary in India
BSc Nursing salary varies depending upon several factors like a candidate’s work experience, their specialization, work place, abilities, etc. As per Payscale, the average BSc Nursing salary in India is 3.03 LPA. The BSc nursing salary per month is INR 25,399. The starting salary after BSc Nursing is around INR 2.78 LPA, which can go as high as INR 8 LPA.
The table below consists of a range of BSc Nursing salary in India for different job roles:
| Job Role | Average Salary |
| Staff Nurse | INR 6.98 LPA approx |
| Military Nurse | INR 8.4 LPA approx |
| Department Supervisor | INR 3.56 LPA |
| Professor | INR 10.00 LPA |
| Nurse Executive | INR 3.00 LPA |
| Psychiatric Nurse | INR 6.13 LPA |
| Homecare Nurse | INR 3.20 LPA |
| Medical Representative | INR 5.96 LPA |
| Nurse Educator | INR 5 LPA |