Educational Preparations for Nurses

Introduction:
Nursing is interpreted in different ways by different people.
It is still thought by many people that nursing is only taking care of sick person.
It is only helping the doctor in treatment of the patients.
No medical service is complete without nursing or without trained nurses.
Nursing comprises of several responsibilities like dealing with patients of medical
illness, clients having surgeries, psychiatric or pediatric patients.
Nursing also involves other duties like maintaining patients, dispensing
medication, setting up the equipments of an operation theatre and many other
routine jobs.

Meaning
Educational preparation for nurses means preparing the nurses at university level
and school of nursing, at hospital level and at community level.

Growth of health industry

The demands for nurses is also increasing making a ‘career in nursing’.
Schools, colleges, hospitals, community health centers need trained and qualified
nurses (source indian nursing council 1986)
Last 40 years have produced 4271 B.sc nursing and M.sc nursing
degree nurses. Around 200,000 general nurses are produced. For large
infrastructure of health centers, for 600 million population of rural india around
100,000 of ANM / FHW are produced till date.

Studies reveal nurses dissatisfaction with staffing because they are overloaded with
work. This is because of the lack of nursing personnel so there is need for
educational preparation for nurses.
Total nursing man power required for urban and rural nursing services given by
high power committee up to 2006
Nurse Midwives : 743114
Public Health Nurses : 34875
Health Supervisor : 107960
ANM/Health Worker : 323882

Criteria for selection in nursing

Candidates who wish to apply for nursing courses should pass physics and
chemistry and biology as main subjects.

Major Courses in nursing

The major courses their duration and their eligibility requirements are:

Name of Course Duration Eligibility

ANM/Health Worker 18 Months 10th Standard

10+2 with
G.N.M 3 ½ Years Biology, Physics
and Chemistry
10+2 with
B.Sc Nursing 4 ½ Years Biology, Physics
and Chemistry

Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery Program

It is a nursing programme with the duration of 18 months. It was first started at S.

Mary’s Hospital Taren in Punjab in 1951. Initially, very few training centers
undertook to give this course, but the financial aid given by the Govt. of India
under the scheme for preparing personnel for Primary Health Centers gave a great
impetus to the training programme.

General Nursing Midwifery Programme

1. The Indian nursing council at its meeting in 1950 came out with some important
decisions relation to the future pattern of Nursing Training in India. One of the
important decisions was that there should be only two standards of training of
nursing and midwifery. So, the General Nursing and Midwifery course was started.

Basic B.Sc Nursing

1. It is the nursing programme at university level. It was first started in 1948 in Raj
Kumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing, New Delhi. Similar Course in B.Sc
Nursing were started by other universities also.
After the completion of these major courses, there are other certificate courses and
master degrees in Nursing and doctorate in Nursing.

Name of Course Duration Eligibility

Name of Course Duration Eligibility
Post basic B.Sc Nursing 2 years 1 year experience with
diploma in nursing
M.Sc Nursing 2 years B.Sc Nursing with 1 Year
experience
M.Phil in Nursing 2 Years Part Time M.Sc Nursing
1 ½ Yrs Regular
Ph.D in Nursing 3 Years After MSc Nursing
2 Years After M.Phil Nursing

1. Post Basic Post Certificate B.Sc Nursing:

The need for higher training for certificate nurses was stressed by Mudaliar
Committee, and the two years Post Basic certificate B.Sc. Degree programme after
G.N.M. was started in 1962.
2. Post Graduation Education:
Two years formal course in Master of Nursing programme was started in 1959 in
Raj Kumar Amrit Kaur College of Nursing and one can choose specialty according
to his/her choice.
3. M.Phil Nursing Programme:
M.Phil Nursing programme is first started in Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur, College of
Nursing on Oct. 15, 1986. This is the programme for one and half year for regular
candidates and two years for part time candidates.
4. Ph.D. Programme:
Ph.D programme was started in few colleges like College of Nursing P.G.I.,
College of Nursing CMC vellore, R.A.K. College of Nursing, Delhi. It is a 3 years
programme after M.Sc Nursing and 2 years programme after M.Phil in Nursing.

Continuing Education
Meaning:
• It is “an extension of opportunities for reading, study and training to any person
and adult following their completion of or withdrawal from full time school/or
college programmes.

Definition of Continuing Education

• "Continuing education is all the learning activities that occur after an
individual has completed his basic education". -"Cooper"
• "That education which builds on previous education". -"Shannon"

• Continuing education is an “educational activity” primarily designed to keep the

registered nurses abreast of their particular field of interest and do not lead to any
formal advanced standing in the profession (Nursing Thesaurus of the International
Nursing Index.)
• Continuing education in nursing consists of planned learning experience beyond a
basic nursing educational programme. These experiences are designed to promote
the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes for the enhancement of nursing
practice, thus improving health

Need for continuing education in nursing

1. Phenomena of Change:
Basically the need for continuing education emerges from phenomena of change,
Change in what is known about man and how he functions in health and illness,
changes in the ways in which people meet the challenge to survive in a dynamic
age, and change in the objectives organization and financing of health
2. Altered professional roles:
As the society changes and as new technologies and knowledge is emerges, the
professional roles are altered. The individual who avoid chance of acquiring new
knowledge, he meet the challenge of change, he cannot adopt himself according to
the changing demands.

3. Effective and wise leadership and competent practitioners:

For the development of good leaders, continuing education must be there in
nursing educational according to the demands of society she has to become
competent practitioner.

4. To fulfill needs of nurse practitioner:

The nursing profession itself and larger society highlight the need for planned
programmes of continuing education. These include charging functions of the
nurse, an increasing trend toward specialization.

The nurse and responsibility of continuing education

• With the scientific advancement, technologic innovations, social changes and
with the emergence of new patterns of health care, traditional roles of nurses are
under close scrutiny and some must inevitably give way to new roles.
• If goal of providing the best possible health care for all people is to be achieved,
nurses must become involved in creating new solutions for problems both old and
new.
• They must justify and initiate charges needed for the improvement of nursing
care. This must become the responsibility of every nurse.

Philosophy of Continuing Education:

• It has been believed that the system of higher education which provides the basic
preparation for the members of a profession must also provide opportunities for
practitioners to keep abreast of advances in their field.

Philosophy of Continuing Education in Nursing

It encompasses various aspects of life and is not limited to the professional
education.
Continuing education is concerned with development of the nurse as a citizen.
These are closely interrelated but each must be considered in identifying
philosophy of education.
Nurses philosophy of life nursing and education belief etc. will influence the
philosophy of continuing nursing education it focuses on the individual learner
Philosophy in thought of relating to basic belief
Actions are guided by one’s belief how one teaches relates to his belief about
learning and education
Philosophy is based on value social change the thoughtful teacher recognizes that
one’s philosophy of education is always an emerging on rather than a static one
Learning must be a continuous process throughout the life span not limited to
formal courses of study.

Planning for continuing Education

• A successful continuing education programme is a result of careful and detailed
planning.
• Planning is essential if learning needs of nurses are to be met and if available
resources are to be met and if available.
• Planning is required at all levels, local, state, regional and national and eventually
• Planning help to keep a minimum gap in meeting the continuing education needs
of nurses.
• Planning must be on going or continuous because rapid technologic advances and
proliferation of knowledge demands continuous planning to meet ever changing
learning needs.

Planning Process:
Nurses identify most closely with planning for client care, but the principles of
planning apply to a wide variety of situations various approaches may be used in
planning for continuing education.
The Planning Formula

1. What is to be done?
Get a clear understanding of what your unit is expected to do in relation to the
work assigned to it. Break the unit’s work into separate jobs in terms of the
economical use of men, equipment, space, materials and money you have at your
2. Why is it necessary?
• When breaking the units into separate jobs, think of the objectives of each job.
This may suggest alternate methods or the possibility of eliminating parts of jobs
or whole jobs.
• 3. How is it to be done?
In relation to each job, look for better ways of doing it in terms of the utilization of
men, materials, equipment and money.
• 4. Where is to be done?
Study the flow of work and the availability of the materials and equipments best
suited men for doing the job.
• 5. When is it to be done?
Fit the job into a time schedule that will permit the maximum utilization of men,
materials, equipment and money, and the completion of the job at the wanted time.
• 6. Who should do the job?
Determine what skills are needed to do job. Successfully, select a train the man
best fitted for the job

Career Opportunities
For the nurse means opportunities for a nurse to develop her own career in nursing.
• There was a time when professional nurses had very little choice of service
because nursing was mostly centered in the hospital and bedside nursing. Many
nurses served as staff nurses only with practically no chance of change

The Opportunities for a nurse can be set as:-

1. Hospital Nursing Services
2. In School of Nursing
3. In college of Nursing
4. In Community Health Nursing
5. Nursing service in Industry.
 6. Nursing service as private duty nurse.
7. Nursing service in the Red Cross society.
8. Nursing service for military personnel.
9. Nursing service abroad.
10.Opportunities for male nurses.
11.Clinical Nurse Specialist.
12.Licensed Practical Nurse.
13.Nurse Anesthetist.
14.Nurse-Midwife.
15.Nurse Practitioner.
16.Nursing Assistant.
17.Registered Nurse.

1. Hospital Nursing Services

• Staff Nurse (3yrs G.N.M./Psychiatric Nursing Diploma/Certificate,
recognized by INC).
• Senior Staff Nurse (G.N.M. or B.Sc Nursing and have experience as staff
Nurse of not less than 5 years).
• Nursing Superintendent Grade II (Experience as a senior staff Nurse).
• Nursing Superintendent Grade-I (should have experience as Nursing).

2. Nursing Services in the School of Nursing

• Nursing Tutor (B.Sc Nursing or M.Sc Nursing) or a diploma in Nursing
education and administration.
• Clinical Instructor (B.Sc Nursing or M.Sc Nursing with or without
experience).
• Principal, School of Nursing (M.Sc Nursing or B.Sc Nursing and should
have teaching experience in school of nursing not less than 5 years.)

3. Nursing Services in the College of Nursing

• Principal, College of Nursing (M.Sc nursing or equivalent degree or Ph.D in
Nursing or other doctorate degree and teaching experience in college not less
than 5 years)
• Lecturer (M.Sc Nursing)
• Senior Lecturer: Experience as Junior Lecturer.
 • Assistant Professor: (M.Sc Nursing or Ph.D in Nursing with any specialty)
and have teaching experience in the college of Nursing not less than 5
years).
• Clinical Instructor (B.Sc Nursing or M.Sc Nursing with or without
experience)
• Professor (M.Sc Nursing or Ph. D in Nursing with any specialty and should
have teaching experience in the college of nursing not less than 5 years.)

4. In Community Health Nursing

• Community Health Nurse/Community Nursing Officer (B.Sc Nursing or
G.N.M)
• Health Supervisor
• Nurse Midwife (G.N.M or B.Sc Nursing)
5. Nursing service in Industry Industrial Nurse (G.N.M & B.Sc Nursing
Experienced)

6. Nursing Service as a Private Duty Nurse (B.Sc Nursing /Post Basic B. Sc

Nursing)

7. Nursing Service in the Red Cross Society

8. Military Nursing Services (G.N.M/ B.Sc Nursing or M.Sc Nursing) and were
given the rank from Lieutenant to Brigadier.

9. Nursing Service in abroad

(G.N.M./B.Sc. Nursing/ M.Sc Nursing with or without experience)

10. Opportunity for Male Nurses

They are valuable in activities of professional organizations where travel is often
necessary.

11. Clinical nurse specialist

• Clinical nurse specialists are advanced practice registered nurses who
function in one of a number of nursing's areas of specialization.
 • They may provide direct care to patients, teach in a variety of health care
settings, and work as researchers, consultants, or nurse managers.

Work Environment
• Community
• Hospitals
• Industry
• Nursing homes
• Private homes
• Private practice settings
• Public health departments
• Research centers
• School

Clinical Nurse Specialist Academic Requirements

• In order to enter a clinical nurse specialist program one must be prepared as
a registered nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

12. Licensed Practical Nurse

• Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic bedside care and may also
give injections and medications.
• They change dressings, evaluate patient needs, implement care plans, and
supervise nursing assistants. In an office setting they make appointments and
keep patient records.

Work Environment
• Community health clinics
• Hospitals
• Long-term care facilities
• Mental health institutions
• Nursing homes
• Physicians' offices
• Private homes
• Public health departments
Licensed Practical Nurse Academic Requirements
• Completion of an accredited practical nursing program usually takes
between 12 and 18 months to 4 yr.
13. Nurse Anesthetist
• Anesthesia is the use of drugs, gases, and nerve blocks to provide a partial or
total loss of pain during surgery
• During surgery, nurse anesthetists administer anesthetic drugs, monitor the
patient's vital signs and adjust the doses of anesthetics and other medications
to assure optimal patient safety and comfort.

Work Environment
• Dental offices
• Hospitals
• Military
• Outpatient surgical centers
• Pain clinics

Nurse Anesthetist Academic Requirements

• A bachelor's degree, a current nursing license, and a minimum of one year's
experience as a registered nurse in an acute care area are required.
• Nurse anesthesia programs last from 24 to 36 months, depending upon the
institution and the type of degree offered.

14. Nurse-Midwife
• Nurse-midwives provide care for healthy women before, during, and after
childbirth.
• They assist in labor and delivery, help in newborn care, and counsel mothers
on infant growth and future pregnancies.

Work Environment
• Birthing centers
• Clinics
• Hospitals
• Public health departments
Nurse-Midwife Academic Requirements
• A college preparatory diploma is recommended. A Bachelor of Science in
Nursing, a current nursing license, and experience in a related field are
usually required to enter a master's level program in nurse midwifery.

15. Nurse Practitioner

• Nurse practitioners (NPs) assess health conditions, identify and diagnose
problems and develop plans to improve healthcare outcomes.
• NPs conduct health screenings and physical exams, prescribe tests and
medications, and educate patients about their conditions and the need for
preventive activities.

Work Environment
• Academic institutions
• Clinics
• Community health centers
• Hospitals
• Migrant health clinics
• Military
• Physicians' offices
• Public health departments
• Rural health clinics Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioner Academic Requirements

• To enter a nurse practitioner program one must be a registered nurse and
hold a current nursing license and master's degree.

16. Nursing Assistant

• Working under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed practical
nurse, or physician, they answer patient call lights, serve meals, and check
blood pressure, temperature, pulse and breathing.
 • They have a great deal of patient contact and are important in developing
patient relationships.
• They assist with medications, change linens, and teach family members to
care for the patient during recovery.
Work Environment
• Home health agencies
• Hospitals
• Mental health institutions
• Nursing homes
• Physicians' offices
• Private homes

Nursing Assistant Academic Requirements

• A high school degree is usually required. Training is available at many
technical schools. It may be offered by employers and usually consists of at
least 90 hours of lectures, demonstrations, and supervised practice.

17. Registered Nurse

• Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients by providing both treatment and
education.
• They interpret and respond to patient symptoms, reactions and progress.
• RNs also teach patients and families about proper health care, assist in
patient rehabilitation, and provide emotional and physical support to
promote recovery and well-being.

Work Environment
• Colleges and universities
• Community health clinics
• Hospitals
• Industry
• Public health departments
• Mental health institutions
• Migrant centers
• Military
• Nursing homes
 • Physicians’ offices
• Prisons
• Public schools
• Rehabilitation centers
Registered Nurse Academic Requirements
A college preparatory diploma is recommended. Students must complete an
accredited nursing program, including any one of the following:
• Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.), Associate of Applied Science
(A.A.S.), or Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.N.). Offered primarily by
community colleges these are two-year programs.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.). Offered by colleges and
universities, this is usually a four-year program.
• Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) or Master’s in Nursing (M.N.).
Offered by colleges and universities, a masters generally requires one or two
years of additional training after obtaining a B.S.N.
• Doctor of Nursing (D.N.Sc., D.N.S., D.S.N.), Doctor of Nursing Practice
(D.N.P. or Dr.N.P.) or Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Offered by
universities, a doctorate requires numerous years of additional education and
research experience.

Professional Advancement :
• In the course of a nurse’s career, there are times that favour professional
advancement and moments that call for maintaining the status quo.
• There are many prudent ways to approach taking ones nursing career to that
next level when and if the time is right.

Role of Nursing Education

• Nursing education is the professional education for the preparation of nurses to
enable them to render professional nursing care to people of all ages, in all phases
of health and illness, in a variety of settings.
• Nursing Education helps in developing well qualified, competent nurses to meet
the needs of people in the society.
• Implementation of advanced scientific knowledge and professional skills in
meeting the needs of people by adopting nursing process and its steps.
• Nursing education impart scientific and up to date knowledge in the area of
medical, social, behavioral and biological sciences.
• Nursing education helps the nurses to inculcate the appropriate nursing skills and
the right attitude to the students. Theoretical and practical knowledge is essential
for rendering intelligent and efficient nursing care.
• Nursing education prepare nurses as a good leader to provide qualitative care.
• Nursing education helps to implement health care programmes and health care
services in community.
• Nursing education helps to improve the professional development of each nurse
and their profession.
• Nursing education helps the nurse to develop as a person of self awareness, self
direction, and self motivation through curricular and extra-curricular activities.
• Nursing education prepare nurses in participating scientific nursing research
investigations, its results will be added up to the body of nursing knowledge.
• Nursing education inculcate democratic values, eg. Respect to individuality,
equality, toleration, cooperative living, faith in change.
• Nursing education enable the nurses to co-operate with team members who re
engaged in health and welfare work.
• Nursing education enable the nurse to understand the functioning of body and
mind in health and disease.
• Nursing education prepare the individual to earn his/her livelihood and make
himself/herself self-sufficient and efficient economically and socially.

Scope of Nursing Education

• Increase in health consciousness in India, the quality of health services has also
improved. So, skilled and specialized nurses can get excellent employment
opportunities in government or private hospitals.
• Nurses can also get employment in clinics, nursing homes, orphanages, old age
• Nurses can get specialized duties like taking care of patients in pediatric,
orthopedics, psychiatry, obstetric and other sections.
• Nursing education provides the scope in teaching, supervising and higher level of
administration.
• Nursing education has great scope for male nurses. They are valuable in activities
of professional organizations where travel is necessary.
• Nursing has great scope in abroad. They can find jobs in specialized field like
surgical, medical, ICU, CCU and Emergency Room (ER)
• Nurses get high pay packet in abroad.
• Nurses get many opportunities for studying and settling there in abroad

Conclusion:
It is concluded that every individual who went to be a nurse must have some
special education and nurses can have variety of career opportunities and have
wide scope in nursing.

Bibliography:
A Text book of Advanced Nursing Practice
EMMESS Publications
Shebeer P.Basheer and S.Yaseen Khan
Page No. 37 to 42

Internet
https://www.slideshare.net/
www.PubMed.gov/
 SEMINAR
ON

EDUCATIONAL PREPARATIONS

Submitted To Submitted By
Mrs.Percis Madam A.Margarete
Ass.Professor M.SC Nursing1stYear
EBMCON EBMCON