Diploma in Nursing

Diploma in Nursing is a full time diploma program that can be pursued by the applicants after they have completed their higher secondary degree in science stream with at least 50% marks in aggregate. The curricular work of the Diploma in Nursing involves studies regarding fundamental principles and practices of nursing, medical science, basic healthcare, health economics, assistance in medical surgeries, administration, and management. The total duration of the course is 3 years. A diploma in Nursing primarily prepares medical students to function effectively as members of the healthcare team and to deal with competencies in both hospitals and other types of healthcare organizations.

To secure a seat in a reputed institution for the course, students must obtain at least 50% in class 12th. Some institutes also conduct entrance exams such as AIIMS Nursing, AFMC Nursing, BHU UET, CPNET, or NEET as part of the selection process. 

A Diploma in Nursing course prepares students to be valuable assets to the healthcare sector by assisting doctors during medical procedures. Nurses are in high demand as a result of the growing need for nurses and medical practitioners. As a result, the number of job opportunities has increased in hospitals, government healthcare centres, nursing homes, defense, community centres, clinics, and more. 

Some of the top Diploma in Nursing colleges in India include SRM Institue of Science and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Vels Institue of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, and more. The average cost incurred for pursuing the programme is up to INR 2,00,000  per annum. Read further to know everything about Diploma in Nursing courses. After the completion of a Diploma in Nursing degree, students will be able to work in both the private and the public sectors of the country. Some of the popular designations after completing a Diploma in Nursing are Clinical Nurse, Nursing Assistant, ER Nurse, and OT Nurse. The average salary scale after completion of the Diploma in Nursing lies within the range of INR 20,000 to INR 60,000 depending on the experience level of the individual. 

Mentioned below are some of the important highlights of the Diploma in Nursing courses:

If you are considering a career in nursing, here are some of the best reasons to pursue  Diploma in Nursing courses to get started and thrive in the healthcare industry:

• Nursing is a rewarding and fulfilling career path in India and around the world. 
• The Diploma in Nursing professionals are readily placed since they meet our country's overall demand for healthcare expertise.
• The Diploma course develops the student's interpersonal and communication skills, which are critical in this profession.
• This course's career prospects and opportunities provide greater employment stability and even greater career freedom.
• There is also a huge scope and freedom to work in other countries (as Registered Nurses).
• Diploma in Nursing graduates can earn salaries ranging from INR 2 to 5 Lakh per year.
• Their medical and professional knowledge is also useful outside of the workplace.
• Every day is different at work. In other words, working as a nurse is far from monotonous and boring.
• There are affordable Nursing degrees and diplomas available too.
• There are a plethora of Nursing specializationsto choose from like Midwifery Nursing, Anesthesia Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, General Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, and many others.

Admission to the programme at a top university or college is only possible if students meet the eligibility requirements listed below: 

• The student must have completed the 12th class with mandatory subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
• They must have received a cumulative percentage of at least 50% in class 12th.
• The minimum age for applying for the course is 17 years, and the maximum age is 30 years.
• Many colleges and universities conduct their entrance examinations, and to get admission, candidates must score well in these entrance exams.

Aspirants must know that Nursing is a broad discipline which consists of many different types of specialisation studies. Here are a few examples to choose from:

There are various types of exams that students consider depending on the college. The following are some of the entrance exams for a Diploma in Nursing course that are held across the country:

Aspirants seeking admission to the programme should be aware that the common admission process can be completed both offline and online:

If a student applies for Diploma in Nursing courses online, they can do so through the college's website and complete the admission process.

For the offline application process, students can fill out the application form and pay the fees on campus.

Students must submit all of the necessary documents as required for admission. 

After all applications have been received, the admission committee inspects all applications received and then compiles a merit list of all eligible applicants.

The cutoff for the merit list is determined based on the number of available seats.

Students must also be aware that each college has its selection process. One must have passed the entrance examination and earned the minimum marks required by the college or university. 

Eligible students are offered admission to Diploma in Nursing courses based on their overall eligibility criteria met.

In the table below, we have gathered information regarding the top 10 nursing colleges in India that students can study, along with the average course fee and location for the convenience of the students:

Students can pursue Diploma in Nursing courses in both government and private institutions. They can select the college of their choice based on their requirements. Some of the best colleges in India for the programme are listed below:

Aside from pursuing a career in Nursing in India, students have a huge scope and opportunity to pursue Diploma in Nursing courses abroad at some of the best universities like:

One must know that different institutions across the country have different fee structures depending upon many factors like:

Location

Course curriculum

On-campus facilities

Type of college

Type of Nursing course 

Ranking and reputation of the college

Generally, a Diploma in Nursing programme fees can be placed within an average range of INR 30,000 to INR 2 lakhs per annum. Having said that, for some private institutions, the course fee can go up to INR 4 lakhs per annum.

Students can check out the year-wise syllabus of the Diploma in Nursing programme in the tables given below.

First Year 

Second Year 

Third Year 

Note: The syllabus provided above is generic. Aspirants should be aware that while the syllabus of different institutes may differ, the core subjects remain the same.

The Diploma in Nursing course structure is designed to last 3 years and is divided into six semesters, with each year having two semesters. 

Students are introduced to the fundamentals of Nursing departments and basic analogies during their first year. 

In the second year, students learn about nursing assessment as well as different organs of the body. They also learn about computers and disc operating systems. 

Students learn about the Indian health system and community health care in their third and final year. For a better understanding and practical approach, students are given laboratory practices and research materials. 

The following is the course structure:

6 semesters

Laboratory practices

Research projects

Practical workshops

Internship (optional)

Important Note: Diploma in Nursing programmes are also available at several reputable private health centres and educational institutes in India. The certificate course will typically take 6 months to a year to complete. Having said that, most Diploma in Nursing programmes last three years.

The course has a huge scope in today's age and time, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Further, it opens up a plethora of career options for aspirants. Some of these are:

Higher Studies  

After completing a three-year Diploma in Nursing programme, a student can pursue advanced and higher studies in this field to gain expertise and guide them toward better career opportunities. A higher education degree course in Nursing will undoubtedly provide better theoretical knowledge while making advancement in the career easier. Upon completion of the programme, students may pursue the following courses:

BSc in Nursing 

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing 

MSc in Nursing 

PhD in Nursing

Career Scope 

A Diploma in Nursing is a recognised degree with numerous career opportunities in the nursing field. It is possible to explore them in both private and public organisations, discovering their methodological and relational skills. The job comes with a variety of benefits, including tax breaks, travel allowances, medical insurance, and more. 

Some of the most popular and in-demand job roles for graduates are listed below:

Clinical Nurse

Head Operations Nurse

Nursing Assistant 

Community Health Nurse

ER Nurse 

OT Nurse 

Dialysis Nurse 

Surgical Assistant Nurse

Labor and Delivery Nurse

Home Care Registered Nurse

Although the pandemic has expanded job opportunities and availability in India's healthcare sector, aspirants should be aware that the salary one receives after completing a Diploma in Nursing programme is highly subjective and based on a student's skills, medical knowledge, and prior work experience. 

• A monthly average salary of INR 20,000-30,000 per month is possible for entry-level nursing professionals with less than a year of experience.

• Nursing professionals can expect a decent raise in their salaries after gaining some reliable work experience in the healthcare sector and can end up earning INR 35,000-45,000 per month.

• A professional with about five years of experience can expect to earn around INR 50,000-60,000 per month or more if working at the managerial level.

There is no doubt that we require specialised skills to perform clinical tasks in order to be successful nurses. These are commonly referred to as hard skills, as they are the things we learn through our education programmes and on-the-job training. However, it is equally important to recognise and develop soft skills, which are just as important - if not more so - for professional success. 

The following are the top 10 skills required by Diploma in Nursing graduates: