Nursing syllabus gets a major revamp

Synopsis: The revamped programme for B.Sc nursing is aimed at standardization and includes medical ethics and simulation training.

Introduction:

The syllabus of BSC Nursing programmes has been revised. This is the first major overhaul after 1947. The revised curriculum has been standardized, updated and is aimed at bringing uniformity in nursing education across India.

Who made the changes?

Indian Nursing Council had revised and developed the syllabus under Section 16 of the INC Act.

What are the new additions to the syllabus?

Medical Ethics: It has been introduced for the first time.

Syllabus: Under the new system, a credit-based semester pattern has been adopted. Also, it has included forensic nursing, nursing informatics and ethics in the syllabus.

Assessments: Changes have been introduced in the internal assessment guidelines. Now there will be a continuous assessment based on attendance, written assignments, reports and other things.

Mandatory modules: The new system has also brought in mandatory modules for each specialisation. Students now have to pass in all mandatory modules placed within courses. Passing marks for each module is 50%.

Science Students: Students will only go to the clinical area after the compulsory training in the simulation laboratories. Also, the gazette does not permit the admission for non-science background students for B.Sc. The nursing program and minimum qualifying marks for the entrance test shall be 50%.

What are the new hospital norms?

Building: It is mandatory that an institution shall have its own building within two years of its establishment.

Hospital Beds: According to new norms, colleges of nursing should mandatorily have 100 bedded parent or own hospitals. The beds of the parent hospital shall be in the same building/same campus.

Modification of syllabus: The revised rules also state that no institution or university will modify the syllabi prescribed by the Council for a course or program. However, they can add units or subjects if required.

What are the negatives of the new curriculum?

Exclusion of the disabled: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act mandates inclusion of disability rights in higher education. Though the new system includes the pejorative expressions ‘handicapped’, ‘mentally challenged’ and physically challenged. It does not include disability rights and disability competencies.

Exclusion of gender: Curriculum also excludes gender expression and identity components which are mandated by Transgender Persons Act.

What are the advantages of the new curriculum?

Quality: New curriculum will enhance the quality and standardisation of the programme.  Based on the new curriculum, simulation-based training is given specific importance.

Source: This post is based on the article” Nursing syllabus gets a major revamp” published in The Hindu on 13^th September 2021.