New Delhi: The count of educational institutions offering bachelor’s degree programs in nursing has escalated from 1,641 in the year 2014 to a commendable 2,229 as of March this year, showcasing a substantial surge of 36 percent, as announced by the Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, in a session of the Lok Sabha on Friday.
In a similar vein, the quota of available undergraduate seats has also witnessed a noteworthy ascent, progressing from 83,192 to an impressive 1,16,595, reflecting a robust growth of 40 percent during the corresponding timeframe. Mandaviya, in response to an inquiry, unveiled this commendable augmentation.
At present, the nation boasts a total of 5,203 institutions dedicated to nursing education, out of which 715 bear the imprimatur of governmental affiliation. Mandaviya’s address laid out the statistical trajectory, affirming, “The quantity of nursing institutions furnishing courses at the undergraduate level has burgeoned from 1,641 in 2014 to an impressive 2,229 in the year 2023 (up until March). This chronicles a remarkable expansion of 36 percent. Similarly, the capacity for graduate admissions has also experienced a momentous leap from 83,192 to 1,16,595, signifying a substantial growth of 40 percent over the same duration.”
The existing roster accommodates 35.14 lakh registered nursing professionals, aligning with a population ratio of 2.06 nurses per 1,000 inhabitants, Mandaviya appended.
The dispersion of nursing colleges and institutions can be attributed to an interplay of myriad geographical and socio-economic determinants, ultimately shaping the accessibility and availability of nursing pedagogy across disparate regions within the country, the minister expounded.
“In an endeavor to rectify the skewness in the geographic distribution of nursing institutions, bolster the corps of nursing professionals, and elevate the caliber of nursing instruction proffered, the government has undertaken an array of measures,” Mandaviya continued, enumerating the reforms.
Among these measures, the government has flexed land requisites for the construction of nursing schools and colleges, along with their accompanying hostels. The prerequisite of a 100-bed parent hospital has been eased for regions characterized by hilly or tribal terrains, a concession aimed at enabling access to quality education.
Furthermore, the student-to-teacher ratio for the MSc (Nursing) program has been adjusted from 1:5 to 1:10, and the student-patient ratio within nursing institutions has been amended from 1:5 to a more personalized 1:3.
To the list of ameliorated guidelines, Mandaviya appended that eligibility for nursing admissions has been extended to married candidates as well.
The stipulated proximity requirement between educational institutions and the nearest healthcare facility has been relaxed from 15 kilometers to 30 kilometers. However, for hilly and tribal vicinities, the maximum permissible distance has been extended to 50 kilometers.
Furthermore, the eligibility criteria for admission to diploma and degree courses have been modulated by a leniency of 5 percent.
Additionally, provisions have been made for the establishment of MSc (Nursing) programs. Super-speciality hospitals can now initiate MSc (Nursing) courses without a compulsory undergraduate program.
Within the framework of the budget for the year 2023-24, a noteworthy proclamation outlined the establishment of 157 nursing colleges within medical institutions, duly approved under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the “Establishment of new Medical College attached with existing district/referral hospital.” This strategic move is anticipated to contribute approximately 15,000 nursing seats to the governmental sector, as asserted by Mandaviya.
Moreover, under the ambit of the government’s initiative “Development of Nursing Services,” states and Union Territories receive financial assistance to elevate schools of nursing to the stature of colleges of nursing, the minister concluded.