Medical Education Commission to Introduce a New General Nursing Program
A new General Nursing program is being introduced in the field of medical education to address the increasing demand and limited enrollment opportunities in nursing courses. This program aims to offer a solution for students who have completed class 12 and are seeking a career in nursing.
Eligibility and Curriculum Details
Students from any subject background who have passed class 12 will be eligible to enroll in the General Nursing program. The Medical Education Commission has approved a comprehensive three-year curriculum for this course. According to Dr. Anjanikumar Jha, Vice-Chairman of the Commission, coordination with the Ministry of Education is ongoing to initiate the teaching and learning process for this program. Universities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, will manage the General Nursing program.
Difference from Existing Nursing Programs
The General Nursing program is designed differently from existing courses such as PCL Nursing, BSc Nursing, and BNS. Unlike these programs, which have specific entry requirements, General Nursing will be accessible as a pre-university course. This initiative aims to provide an alternative for students who might otherwise pursue similar programs abroad.
Alignment with International Education Practices
In many countries, nursing education begins after the completion of class 12. Following this model, the Medical Education Commission, with input from experts and the Nepal Nursing Council, recommends phasing out the PCL (Certificate Level) Nursing program over the next five years in favor of the General Nursing course. This change aligns with the Medical Education Act 2075, which has already discontinued sub-certificate level programs like ANM and CMA.
Infrastructure and Seat Availability
The implementation of a 100-bed hospital requirement for nursing education has led to the closure of many colleges offering PCL Nursing programs. Currently, the PCL Nursing program under CTEVT has 2,080 seats, but around 18,000 students have applied this year, indicating a significant demand. The task force suggests using larger government hospitals without existing nursing education programs to accommodate more students.
Challenges in Higher Nursing Education
The demand for higher nursing education is similarly high. In the fiscal year 2080/081, around 8,000 students applied for BSc Nursing, but only 4,000 could be admitted based on merit, with just 1,720 seats available. If the General Nursing program is introduced, it could provide additional opportunities for students who are unable to secure admission in existing programs.
Benefits of Post-Secondary Nursing Education
Experts believe that offering General Nursing education after class 12 will result in students being more socially and emotionally mature, reducing the likelihood of medical errors. The task force has also recommended that the government take measures to improve the quality of nursing services, ensuring better healthcare outcomes.
Current Nursing Education Landscape
Currently, the three-year PCL Nursing program is offered at 52 institutions with 2,080 seats. Other programs include Certificate Midwifery at two institutions with 60 seats, BSc Nursing at 63 colleges with 1,720 seats, BSc Midwifery at one college with 20 seats, BNS at 39 institutions with 1,120 seats, BM at five colleges with 130 seats, and Postgraduate Nursing at 13 colleges with 254 seats.
Conclusion
The introduction of the General Nursing program is a strategic response to the growing demand for nursing education and the need for more accessible entry points into the field. By aligning with international standards and addressing the limitations of current programs, this initiative promises to enhance the quality and availability of nursing education in Nepal.
