What is the GNM Nursing Course?

The General Nursing and Midwifery or GNM course is an undergraduate nursing program that prepares candidates to become professional nurses and midwives. The GNM course imparts knowledge in providing basic medical care to people across ages and in assisting women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.

The GNM Nursing Course covers various topics such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, nutrition, biochemistry, pharmacology, psycho-social aspects of health and illness, health education, medical-surgical nursing, and community health nursing among many others. Nursing students develop fundamental nursing skills under the guidance of faculty in skills laboratories and training hospitals associated with nursing schools.

The GNM Nursing Course prepares graduates to join hospitals, clinics, health camps, community health centers, and various health programs run by government and non-government organizations. GNM graduates are titled auxiliary nurse midwives or ANMs. They work under the supervision of doctors and senior nursing staff.

Role and responsibilities of GNM graduates

As GNM graduates, the role and responsibilities include:

• Providing basic medical care to patients including administering injections and intravenous infusions under doctor's supervision.
• Assisting in surgeries, delivering babies, and taking vital signs of patients.
• Rehabilitation of post-surgical patients by conducting physiotherapy and helping them with activities of daily living.
• Monitoring patient's health condition and informing doctors about changes.
• Educating patients about medical conditions, dietary changes, and personal hygiene.
• Counseling patients and their family members.
• GNM graduates or ANMs working in community settings are responsible for maternal and child health care including conducting antenatal check-ups, providing contraception advice, assisting normal deliveries, and immunization of infants and children.
• ANMs conduct health camps to spread awareness about health issues, common diseases, and family planning methods.

Career prospects after the GNM Nursing Course

• Staff Nurse: GNM graduates are eligible to apply for Staff Nurse roles in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics once they gain adequate experience of 2-3 years.
• Nursing Officer: GNM nurses can apply for Nursing Officer roles in government hospitals after 3-4 years of experience.
• Midwife: GNM graduates primarily work as midwives assisting women during pregnancy and childbirth.
• Public Health Nurse: ANMs can join the public health sector and work as public health nurses conducting community outreach programs, organizing health camps, and spreading health awareness.
• Teaching Faculty: After gaining adequate experience, GNM graduates can join nursing schools as teaching faculty and train aspiring nurses.
• Eligibility Criteria for GNM Nursing Course
• To be eligible for the GNM course, candidates must meet the following criteria:
• Passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English. The minimum marks required varies from 45% to 50% depending on the nursing institute.
• Minimum age of 17 years and a maximum of 35 years as on 31st December of the admission year. Upper age relaxation is given to reserved categories as per government norms.

Should be medically fit. Certain physical standards like height, weight, and vision are assessed at the time of admission.

Various nursing institutions offer the GNM course approved by the Indian Nursing Council. State-level entrance exams like ANM and GNM Nursing Entrance Exam conducted by state governments are required for admission to government nursing schools. Private nursing colleges admit students based on qualifying exam marks and entrance test conducted by them.

In conclusion,

the GNM nursing course provides a strong foundation to pursue a career in nursing and community health care. GNM graduates play an important role in providing primary health care and assisting doctors. The course also opens up opportunities for higher studies and specialization in the nursing field for the Baidyanath Institute of Nursing & Paramedical Science (BINPS) a leading GNM college in Jharkhand here with their top GNM Course.