The recent proposal of the Indian Nursing Council (INC) to open B Sc Nursing course for students from non-science backgrounds has met with strong opposition from nurses and nursing students’ associations in the country.

It was recently that the Indian Nursing Council put out a proposal which states that the students who studied in arts, humanities or commerce background in class 12 can also apply for the four-year B Sc Nursing course, just like the science students. However, many say that this will adversely impact the quality of education, and the nurses who pass out of the courses.

The Indian Nursing Council, after publishing the draft proposal had given time from the stakeholders to raise their feedback about it till January 24, and the associations say that many have stated their objections.

“There is widespread resentment among the nursing community against this proposal, so we hope they take it back or else, we will be forced to take streets against the move,” said Sona PS, Kerala state President of Trained Nurses Association of India.

Against eligibility of non-science students

Indian Nursing Council says that B Sc Nursing will be a four-year full-time program comprising eight semesters, which prepares a student to become a registered nurse qualified to practice in a variety of settings in either government or private healthcare settings. The proposal states that “candidates with Science/Arts/Humanities/Commerce who have passed the 12th Standard examination (10+2) and have obtained a minimum of 45% marks in the core/elective/academic subjects taken together and passed English individually” are eligible.