New Online Applications Start for the IGNOU BSC Nursing Entrance Exam
The IGNOU BSC Nursing Entrance Exam is the gateway for students who want to build a career in nursing. If you dream of becoming a nurse and are waiting for the entrance exam, now is the perfect time to apply. If you are interested in IGNOU BSC nursing, fill out the application before the last date of 31st January.
IGNOU is a well-known university that offers the BSC Nursing program to help students gain the right skills and knowledge in nursing. This course is designed for those who want to learn and work at the same time, making it a great choice for working professionals too.
Students can easily apply to IGNOU and start their journey towards a successful career in healthcare because of its online application form. This blog will guide you for the IGNOU BSC Nursing Entrance exam. Keep reading to know about the eligibility, fees, exam details, and career opportunities after completing the course.
What is the IGNOU BSC Nursing program?
The IGNOU BSC courses in Nursing Entrance Exam is an important step for students who want to build a career in nursing. Nursing is a profession where people take care of patients, help doctors, and ensure good health for everyone.
The BSC Nursing course teaches students about healthcare, patient care, medicines, and how hospitals work. It helps them become skilled nurses who can work in hospitals, clinics, and even in homes to take care of sick people.
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers this course through distance learning. This means students can study from anywhere without attending regular classes. They get study materials, online classes, and practical training at hospitals.
IGNOU is one of the top universities in India for distance education and its nursing program is recognised by important bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC).
| Programme Type | Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| Mode | Open Distance Learning |
| School | School of Health Sciences |
| Duration | 3 years (may extend up to 6 years) |
| Medium | English |
| Specialisation | Nursing |
| Description | A comprehensive nursing program to develop skilled healthcare professionals ready to serve in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. |
| Eligibility | Candidates must have completed 10+2 with GNM and required work experience or 10th with GNM and additional experience as per IGNOU guidelines. |
| Course Fee | Approx. ₹60,000 for the full program |
| Expected Salary | Starts from ₹3-6 LPA, with growth over time |
| Notification link | Announcement |
Choosing IGNOU BSC Nursing has gives many benefits. It is affordable, flexible, and provides quality education. Students can continue their jobs while studying. It makes IGNOU BSC Nursing a great option for working professionals. The course also opens doors to many job opportunities in India and abroad.
Overall, the IGNOU BSC Nursing program is the best choice for students who want a nursing degree with flexibility and recognised certification. It offers the perfect blend of theory and practical learning, making students ready for a successful career in healthcare.
Main Objective of IGNOU BSC Nursing Program
The BSc from IGNOU Nursing program has many important objectives to help nurses improve their skills and provide better healthcare services. The main objectives of the program are:
- Upgrade Knowledge and Skills: The program allows working nurses to enhance their skills and knowledge.
- Ensure Quality Patient Care: Nurses are encouraged to maintain their clinical competence through continuous learning.
- Develop Teaching, Administration, and Research Skills: The course helps nurses learn how to train new healthcare professionals.
- Promote Personal and Professional Growth: The program encourages nurses to take on new challenges and expand their career options.
These objectives ensure that graduates of the IGNOU BSC Nursing program are able to meet the latest healthcare demands and make positive contributions to the healthcare industry.
Entrance Exam for IGNOU BSC Nursing Program
The IGNOU BSC Nursing Entrance Exam is an important step for students who want to join the nursing program. Here’s how the exam is conducted and key details students should know:
- Filling Online Application:
- Students can apply online on the official IGNOU website at www.ignou.ac.in.
- You should fill out and submit the applications before the deadline.
- Various Exam Centers in India:
- IGNOU conducted entrance exams at its various centres in the country.
- The exact exam date and location will be shared on the IGNOU website.
- Admit Card Download:
- Your admit card will be available on the IGNOU website.
- Students need to take the admit card to the exam centre for verification.
- Exam Pattern:
- The test includes 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from subjects in general nursing and midwifery (GNM).
- Each question carries 1 mark, and the test is divided into different sections (A to H).
- Offline or OMR Sheet Response:
- Students will mark their answers on an OMR sheet provided during the exam.
- Exam Duration:
- The total duration of the test is 2.5 hours (150 minutes).
Students can prepare for the IGNOU BSC Nursing entrance exam and secure admission by understanding these points.
Selection Process for IGNOU Nursing
The selection process for the IGNOU BSC Nursing program is fair and follows a clear step-by-step process. Here is how students are selected:
- Merit-Based Selection:
- IGNOU prepares a region-wise merit list based on the marks obtained in the OPENNET Entrance Test.
- This list is displayed on the IGNOU official website and regional centre websites after the results are announced.
- Tie-Breaking Criteria:
- If two or more candidates score the same marks in the entrance test, IGNOU uses the following methods to decide their rank:
- Work Experience: The candidate with more nursing experience will be ranked higher.
- GNM Marks: If experience is the same, overall marks from the General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) exam will prefer to break the tie.
- Date of Birth: The older candidate will get a higher chance to stand or rank.
- Draw of Lots: If there will still be a tie, then the final selection will be based on a lucky draw.
- If two or more candidates score the same marks in the entrance test, IGNOU uses the following methods to decide their rank:
- Document Verification:
- Selected candidates must submit their original documents for verification.
- Admission will only be confirmed after document verification and payment of fees.
- Important Notes:
- Applicants should give or fill in a valid email ID and mobile number for clear communication.
- The allotted study centre cannot be changed later.
- Paid fees are non-refundable.
By following these steps, IGNOU ensures a smooth and transparent selection process for the IGNOU BSC Nursing course.
IGNOU BSC Nursing: Course Structure
The IGNOU BSC Nursing program follows a credit system to ensure students complete their studies step by step. Each credit equals 30 hours of study, which includes reading, assignments, and practical work. The entire program requires students to earn 112 credits over a flexible period of 3 to 6 years, depending on their schedule.
The course is divided into 22 subjects, which include 11 theory subjects and 10 practical sessions. Both theory and practical parts are important, and all courses are compulsory to get the degree. This structure helps students gain complete knowledge and practical skills in nursing.
| THEORY CREDITS | |
| 1st Year | 18 |
| 2nd Year | 12 |
| 3rd Year | 12 |
| PRACTICAL CREDITS | |
| 1st Year | 16 |
| 2nd Year | 26 |
| 3rd Year | 28 |
IGNOU BSC Nursing: Eligibility
- Educational Qualification:
-
- Candidates must have passed 10+2 (12th grade) with a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM).
- If the candidate has completed only 10th grade (Matriculation), they must have a GNM diploma and more experience.
- Work Experience:
-
- If a candidate has a 12th-grade qualification, they must have at least 2 years of work experience after registering as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife (RNRM).
- If a candidate has a 10th-grade qualification, they must have at least 5 years of work experience after RNRM registration.
- Special Requirements for Male Candidates:
-
- Male nurses who did not complete midwifery in their GNM course should have a 6-9 month nursing certificate approved by the Indian Nursing Council.
- Important Note:
-
- Candidates with 12th grade and GNM must not apply if they have less than 2 years of experience.
- Candidates with 10th grade and GNM must not apply if they have less than 5 years of experience.
- Additional Conditions:
-
- All applicants should ensure their certificates and experience documents meet IGNOU’s requirements before applying.
IGNOU BSC Course in Nursing: Fees
The IGNOU BSC Nursing program fee is approx. ₹30,000 per year. Students should not pay the fee while submitting the entrance exam application. Instead, they will receive a separate notification after selection explaining how to pay the fee.
Pay the fee through a demand draft (DD) in favour of IGNOU. Write your name, address, and phone number on the back of the DD to avoid issues.
The counselling session will provide details about fee submission. Note that the fee amount may change in the future.
IGNOU BSC Nursing: Duration
The IGNOU BSC Nursing program offers flexibility for students. The course takes a minimum of 3 years to complete, but students can extend it up to 6 years based on their convenience. This flexibility helps working nurses balance their jobs and studies easily.
IGNOU offers study materials and practical training to help students complete the course efficiently. The flexible duration allows students to learn at their own pace without pressure. Students also gain all the necessary nursing skills and knowledge.
Important Dates for IGNOU BSC Nursing Entrance Exam
If you plan to apply for the IGNOU BSC Nursing program, here are the important dates you need to know. Please note that these dates are tentative or estimated based on previous years schedules. For the latest updates, visit the official IGNOU website.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 22 January 2025 |
| Application End Date | 21 February 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | March 2025 |
| Entrance Exam Date | March 2025 |
| Declaration of Result | April 2025 |
| Start of Admissions | May 2025 |
| Program Commencement | July 2025 |
The above dates provide a general timeline to help you plan your application and admission process for the IGNOU BSC Nursing program. However, these are estimated dates and may change based on IGNOU’s official notifications. Always check the IGNOU website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Important Documents Required for Verification
Use this checklist to prepare for the counselling process by bringing both the original documents and a photocopy of each for verification:
- Original entrance test admit card.
- 10+2 certificate or 10th certificate, whichever applies.
- Valid RNRM Registration Certificate from all previous and current state nursing councils.
- Experience Certificate on the institution’s official letterhead, including a valid signature, date, name, and stamp, covering the period from RNRM registration to the final application submission date.
- GNM Mark Sheets, including overall and yearly results.
- Date of birth proof (10th certificate).
- Work experience proof issued by the current organisation.
- Category certificate for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer, issued within the last three years), PH, Kashmiri Migrants, War Widows, or EWS candidates, if applicable.
- An income certificate is required for non-creamy layer OBC or EWS candidates.
- Two recent passport-size photographs.
- A photocopy of the application form will be submitted online.
- A demand draft for the first-year admission fee, payable to IGNOU at the respective regional centre.
Ensure all these documents are prepared to avoid any delays in the counselling process.
Career Opportunities after Completing IGNOU BSC Nursing
Completing the IGNOU BSC Nursing program opens up various career possibilities in the healthcare sector. Students can explore opportunities in hospitals, clinics, educational institutions, and even abroad. The table below provides an overview of popular job roles, salary packages, and key responsibilities.
| Job Role | Average Salary (INR per annum) |
|---|---|
| Staff Nurse | 3-6 LPA |
| Nursing Educator | 4-7 LPA |
| Community Health Nurse | 3-5 LPA |
| Nursing Administrator | 5-8 LPA |
| Research Nurse | 4-7 LPA |
| Home Healthcare Nurse | 3-6 LPA |
These career opportunities provide job stability, good salaries, and a chance to serve society. Graduates can also pursue further studies to enhance their skills and career growth in the healthcare industry.
Conclusion
The IGNOU BSC Nursing program is a great opportunity for students who want to pursue a career in nursing through distance learning. It offers flexibility, affordability, and a comprehensive course structure. It prepares students for various roles in the healthcare industry. The new online applications are now open.
Aspiring nurses who are interested in IGNOU BSC Nursing should apply before the deadline of 31st January 2025 and start their journey toward a successful nursing career. Make sure you checked the eligibility criteria, important dates, and prepared well for the entrance exam. With IGNOU BSC Nursing, you can achieve your dream of becoming a skilled nurse.