GNM full form is General Nursing and Midwifery. The GNM course duration is 3.5 years. It’s a diploma course and after completing the course duration of 3 years, there is a mandatory 6-months internship that candidates must complete. This program is designed to train students to perform paramedic tasks such as delivering first aid, assisting in research programs, handling wound procedures, etc.
GNM course is not limited to a certain domain or expertise area. GNM Nursing course prepares the students to aid patients on a larger scale as this course training comes under the category of paramedics. It’s important to know that interested candidates would have to appear for different state-level exams GNM Nursing admissions are done based on state-wise entrance exams. The minimum admission criterion for GNM course is to score 40% or above in Class 12 exams.
GNM course fee can range from Rs 27,000 to Rs 3.5 lakh in government colleges; whereas, in private colleges, it can range from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 3.8 lakh. Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Parul University and NIMS Nursing College are a few of the top nursing colleges in India.
What is GNM Nursing Course?
General Nursing Midwifery (GNM) course trains the students in midwifery, community health and general healthcare such as mental health care, rehabilitation, post-trauma care, maternity care, etc.
The GNM course syllabus includes subjects like Child Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing, Midwifery, Mental Health Nursing, Gynaecological Nursing etc. Both theoretical and practical training are part of the syllabus.
There are no national-level entrance exams for GNM admissions; rather it is offered based on state-level entrance exams. The GNM entrance exams are held once every year and candidates are finalised based on the scores attained in the entrance exam.
GNM Nursing Course: Admission Process and Eligibility Criteria
Interested candidates should have passed Class 12 to appear in the GNM Nursing entrance exams. Unfortunately, candidates who are still in the class 12 are not eligible to appear in GNM course entrance exams. Students can fill the application forms and pay the required fee to appear in the exam. If they are able to clear the exam, they can get the admission in the GNM college chosen by them.
State-level exams help the students get seats in government GNM colleges. Also, class 12 score plays an important role in GNM admission. There are also some colleges, like BHU (Banaras Hindu University), have their own GNM entrance exam.
GNM Course Duration
GNM course duration is of 3.5 years, and it is a diploma level course. After qualifying class 12th, students can appear in the state-level entrance exams and once clearing the exam they can pursue the course. A 6-month internship is an integral part of 3.5 years curriculum.
Can Arts Students do GNM Nursing?
Though earlier it was only possible for Science students to pursue GNM nursing course, it has changed now. Even arts students can get admission to in GNM course, provided they have passed class 12 exams with English as a major subject from a recognized board. Other important criterion is to score at least 40 percent marks in English.
So yes, if you are also asking the same question, “Can I do GNM after 12th arts?”, you will be happy to know that you can certainly pursue this course.
GNM Course Entrance Exam
GNM Nursing entrance exams are conducted by State Nursing Councils along with State Health Departments. INC (Indian Nursing Council) – the highest regulating organization for nurses – provides the list of qualifying criteria for GNM Nursing exams.
Following is the list of few of the most popular state-level GNM Nursing entrance exams and respective conducting bodies’ name for those exams:
| GNM Nursing Exam Name | Conducting Body |
| West Bengal (WB) GNM | Government of West Bengal, Health and Family Welfare Department |
| Andhra Pradesh GNM | Directorate of Medical Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh |
| Assam GNM | Directorate for Welfare of Tea and Ex Tea Garden Tribe, Government of Assam |
| Bihar GNM | Ambedkar Institute of Higher Education, Patna, Bihar |
| IOCL BSc Nursing and GNM | Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Assam Oil Division & Assam Oil College of Nursing |
| Karnataka GNM | Karnataka State Diploma in Nursing Examination Board, Bengaluru |
| Kerala GNM | Directorate of Medicine Education, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) |
| Madhya Pradesh GNTST/PNST | Madhya Pradesh Board of Professional Education or VYAPAM |
| Maharashtra GNM | Maharashtra Nursing Council, Mumbai |
| Punjab GNM | Department of Health and Family Welfare Punjab |
| Rajasthan GNM | Government of Rajasthan, Directorate of Medical and Health Services |
| Tamil Nadu (TN) GNM | Directorate of Medical Education – Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu |
| Telangana GNM | Directorate of Medical Education, Government of Telangana |
| Uttar Pradesh (UP) GNM | Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai Etawah (Uttar Pradesh) |
The specific requirements for GNM entrance exam may vary depending on the state. Therefore, it’s recommended to check the admission criteria of the particular nursing school or college you are applying for.
Also Read: GNM 1st Year Syllabus
GNM Course Syllabus
Both theoretical and practical training are part of 3.5 years’ GNM syllabus. Few major subjects covered in the theoretical part of GNM syllabus are:
| GNM Course 1st Year Syllabus | |
| Anatomy and Physiology | Environmental Hygiene |
| Community Health Nursing I – Practical | Fundamentals of Nursing |
| Nursing Foundation-Practical | Health Education and Communication skills |
| GNM Course 2nd Year Syllabus | |
| Medical-Surgical Nursing – I | Medical-Surgical Nursing – I |
| Mental Health Nursing | Child Health Nursing |
| GNM Course 3rd Year Syllabus | |
| Midwifery | Gynecological Nursing |
| Midwifery and Gynecological Nursing Practical | Community Health Nursing – II |
Also Read: GNM Subjects
Types of GNM Nursing Courses:
There are 3 most popular types of GNM nursing courses in India – Nursing Basic, Post Basic, and Distance / Correspondence GNM.
1. Nursing Fundamentals
Basic GNM nursing course is the most popular one among the students. It is a bachelor level degree that provides an all-inclusive training on nursing care for the patients with different health conditions. The GNM Basic course is designed to create general nursing staff that can offer her / his services effectively in hospitals, clinics or other healthcare settings.
2. GNM Post-Basic
Post-basic GNM course students get to learn advanced nursing through clinical courses and educational travels. Post-basic GNM graduates can work in hospitals, clinics, nursing schools, clinics, and public health centers.
3. GNM distance
Though there are many universities that provide Distance GNM courses, students should check the accreditation of such universities to confirm whether the GNM course offered by them is valid or not – as nursing is a highly technical profession and one needs regular classroom exposure to get handy with all the tools and trainings provided.
Also Read: GNM 2nd Year Syllabus
What after GNM Nursing Course?
After completing GNM course, there are plenty of job opportunities in different health sectors. Few of the popular GNM job profiles include:
- Public Health Nursing: Public health nurses provide preventive care and community training to improve community health efforts. This job profile allows the GNM graduates to work in government agencies, community health centres, and non-profit organizations.
- Staff Nursing: A staff nurse is one of the most common job profiles to pursue after completing GNM course. You can work in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and different health care settings.
- Specialized Nursing: With additional training and certifications, the students can choose different specializations such as critical care nursing, pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, or community health nursing to get higher salaries.
- Nursing Manager / Administrator: With more experience, one can also pursue senior administrative roles in nursing departments such as organizing patient care, handling budgets, and setting rules and regulations.
- Private Nursing Services: One can also offer home health care services to patients in need at their own homes. This role involves visiting patients, monitoring their health, administering medications, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
GNM nursing course is a rewarding career path as it allows the GNM graduates to build successful careers in nursing and healthcare fields and contributing to the well-being community. By going through the above-mentioned information on GNM course, duration, eligibility criteria, admission process, and job opportunities, you can make an informed and right decision on whether and how to pursue this program.
Also Read: ANM vs GNM
FAQs on GNM Nursing Course:
Ans: The average salary for GNM nursing in India is from Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 4.2 lakhs for freshers. However, the salary package keeps on increasing with added experience. An experienced GNM nursing staff in specialized roles can easily earn up to Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs per annum.
Ans: GNM nursing course is considered better than ANM nursing course as it offers a wider curriculum, better career options along with higher salary package. GNM is a 3.5-year diploma course; whereas, ANM nursing course is a 2-year diploma program.
GNM nursing graduates can easily land jobs in different healthcare sectors, while ANM nursing course graduates are primarily placed in rural healthcare settings.
Ans: It depends upon the eligibility criteria decided by the college authorities and state government (or exam conducting body). The requirements can vary from college to college. Some nursing institutions may also need you to clear the entrance exam specified by them.
Ans: Yes, a registered GNM nurse from one state can work in another state. They simply have to register with the state’s nursing council where they want to practice. Indian Nursing Council is currently working on a model wherein GNM nursing staff can practice in any state without registering with every state’s nursing council. Let’s hope that this model will become effective and operational very soon.