Medical and Nursing Colleges to Increase 1,800 Nursing Seats, SOPs to Be Created for the First Time

Another 1,800 nursing seats will be added to the state’s government medical and nursing colleges. The high-powered committee constituted to administer nursing courses has recommended this increase. Furthermore, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be developed for the first time for the operation of nursing courses. A meeting of the Special Powers Committee, chaired by Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, was held at the Secretariat on Friday. The committee recommended a proposal to increase 1,800 seats in 39 institutions under the Medical Education Department. Five government medical colleges, 11 government nursing colleges, and private paramedical colleges offer B.Sc. Nursing and GNM courses in the state. Currently, a total of 9,804 approved B.Sc. Nursing and GNM seats are available. The department has submitted a proposal to the government to increase nursing course seats. The Chief Secretary directed the establishment of a single-window system for nursing courses, instead of scrutinizing applications from institutions at various levels.

21,541 nurses are registered with the State Nursing Council.
During the committee meeting, Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar stated that the total number of nurses registered with the State Nursing Council by 2024 is 21,541. Currently, training is being offered for a total of 9,804 nursing and GNM seats in government and private nursing colleges. Finance Secretary Dilip Jawalkar and other officials were also present at the meeting.