Overview
A Nurse is a skilled professional, trained to care for sick and infirm patients at hospitals or nursing homes. Nurses work alongside other medical professionals and staff like doctors and surgeons. They administer prescribed medicines and take care of the overall health of a patient during the entirety of their stay at the hospital.
Where they work
- Hospitals/clinics
- Dispensaries
- Self-employed
Work environment
It is not a desk job and does not require travelling. Part-time work and contractual jobs are available. Nurses usually work in shift system. Hospitals/clinics usually work for 6 to 7 days a week and 8 to 9 hours everyday. This may vary from hospital to hospital.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You display a natural empathy and care for others
- You pay attention to detail
- You stay calm under pressure
- You are good at multitasking
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree (B.Sc/PB B.Sc) in Nursing (GNM/Post Basic/ANM)
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree, followed by a Master's degree (M.Sc) in Nursing (General or other specifications)
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete a Diploma or certificate in Nursing.
- 2There are various entrance exams for the nursing department, such as the AIIMS Nursing entrance examination, Indian Army Nursing Exam. The exams vary from institution to institution and no entrance exam necessary for Diploma courses.
Forms, exams and applications
Entrance exams vary by institution — examples include the AIIMS Nursing entrance examination and Indian Army Nursing Exam. No entrance exam is necessary for Diploma courses. Check official notification for current eligibility and dates.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Nursing.
Government institutes
- All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- Post Graduate Institute Of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
- Government College of Nursing, Kozhikode, Kerala
- Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra
- The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospitals, Pune, Maharashtra
- Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Acharya Institute of Health and Nursing, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Apollo College of Nursing, Hyderabad, Telangana
- Army Institute of Nursing, Guwahati, Assam
- SRM Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
- Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
- Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra
- NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Intern
- 2Assistant Nurse/Healthcare Assistant
- 3Nurse, General
- 4Head Nurse
Expected income
₹10,000 – ₹40,000 per month
These figures are taken from NCS (National Career Service) and are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
School Teacher
Education and Training
Guides and nurtures children in schools, teaching academic and practical knowledge.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Science.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to helping people.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Geeta Chandrakant Salgaonkar — With 21 years of experience in rural health, works at the Batora Sub-Centre in Goa, contributing to MCH, family planning, TB, HIV/AIDS and other national health programs. Her sub-centre was recognised as the best-performing centre by a WHO team in 2018-19 for its role in dengue control.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 377 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3XfpvyS
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.