Nursing

Healing wounds

Nursing is a profession in which persons can take care of the sick. It is considered as one of the noblest professions in the world. The work involves giving medical care and also giving counseling and kindness. Nurses and nursing assistants play a vital role in the treatment of patients in the out-patient stage to the operation theater. This profession is mostly dominated by women.

Pre-requisites:

Duties in the nursing profession are multifaceted. They include bedside care of the patients to different departments like psychiatric, intensive, pediatric patient care. These duties require specialized skills. Dispensing medicines, keeping track of patients’ progress, assisting with medical equipments by setting them up for operations and assist in handling them and other administrative duties are some of the responsibilities of nurses. They must also posses’ alertness, compassion and tact. Courage and dedication and willingness for long hours of work including night shifts are the requisites for nursing profession.

Courses in nursing:

There are Diploma, Degree and post graduate courses in nursing. There are midwifery and nursing assistant courses available. The eligibility criteria for admission to these courses are a pass in 10 + 2 with science subjects. The Auxiliary Nurse has duration of 18 months and anyone who has passed 10th Standard can undergo this course. The courses can be divided into many segments namely hospital nursing, Industrial nursing, psychiatric nursing, military nursing, orthopedic and pediatric and community health nursing.

The public health nurses and health workers provide basic healthcare to local population, instruct families in health education, disease prevention, pregnancy and childcare, nutrition etc. They organize immunization, health check ups and follow up. Industrial nursing and occupational health nursing involves safety and preventive aspects and emergency care in case of accidents in the industrial houses and factories. Psychiatric nursing deals with patients suffering from psychological and emotional problems. They work in co-ordination with doctors and psychiatrists. Pediatric nursing involves care of babies and children. Orthopedic nurses have special knowledge of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Military nurses take care of the armed forces when they are injured or fall sick.

Career options :

Those who successfully complete the courses in nursing can find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, health departments, old age homes, orphanages, military and clinics etc. They are also in demand in factories and industrial houses, railways, public sector medical departments and teaching institutions.

Institutions teaching Nursing

Government Nursing schools and Private colleges have many different courses in nursing all over India. The nursing profession offers good salaries starting from Rs.6500/- onwards depending upon experience.