The lowdown
Nurses manage the day-to-day care of patients, administer prescribed medicines and teaching them to take care of themselves. Nurses keep a watchful eye on patients and keep track of any changes in their physical condition, mental attitude, reaction to drugs or other treatment. Nursing was officially recognised in 1850s because of the legendary work done by the English nurse Florence Nightingale, considered the founder of modern professional nursing
Clock Work
The average workday of a nurse at a multispecialty hospital:
7am: Reach hospital and start duty
1pm: Lunch break
2pm: Attend to patients, assist doctors on their rounds
7.15pm: Pack up for the day
The payoff
At the entry level one can expect Rs8,000 to Rs15,000 per month.
At the middle level one can expect Rs20,000 to Rs35,000 per month.
At the senior level one can rake in upwards of Rs50,000 to Rs70,000 per month. One can earn more in the government sector
Skills/TRAITS
. An inherent desire to take care of the ill and the infirm
. Selfless dedication
. Emotional strength
. Ability to work for long hours
. Logical and analogical reasoning powers
. Ability to empathise rather than sympathise with the patient
. Technical competence and must have a comfort level with new technology
. Ability to make quick decisions
Getting there
After Class 10, one can do ANM (auxiliary nursing and midwifery). It is a two-year diploma programme.
One may also do the three-and-a-half year diploma in general nursing and midwifery (GNM) after Class 12.
A physical sciences and biology combination is required in Class 12 to do the four-year BSc nursing programme. This can be followed up with an MSc, MPhil and PhD for career advancement
Skills/TRAITS
. An inherent desire to take care of the ill and the infirm
. Selfless dedication
. Emotional strength
. Ability to work for long hours
. Logical and analogical reasoning powers
. Ability to empathise rather than sympathise with the patient
. Technical competence and must have a comfort level with new technology
. Ability to make quick decisions
Getting there
After Class 10, one can do ANM (auxiliary nursing and midwifery). It is a two-year diploma programme.
One may also do the three-and-a-half year diploma in general nursing and midwifery (GNM) after Class 12.
A physical sciences and biology combination is required in Class 12 to do the four-year BSc nursing programme. This can be followed up with an MSc, MPhil and PhD for career advancement
Institutes
. AIIMS, Delhi
www.aiims.edu
. RAK College of Nursing, Delhi
www.du.ac.in
. AFMC, Pune
afmc.nic.in
. St Stephen’s Hospital, Delhi
www.ststephenshospital.org
Pros and cons
. Trained nurses are immediately absorbed within and outside the country
. Mental satisfaction, as one is part of a process that alleviates suffering