Nurse Practitioners Courses In India. Current Scenario, Eligibility, Fees Etc

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses. They have master level education in nursing or sufficient experience after graduation. Generally Nurse practitioners courses cover  primary care or a  certain field of specialty.

NPs are trained to assess patient needs, order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, diagnose disease, formulate and prescribe treatment plans. Place to place nurse practitioners are either allowed to practice independently or under supervision of a physician.

Some of the nurse practitioner courses in foreign countries are following.

• Adult – gerontology acute care nurse practitioner
• Adult – gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.
• Neonatal nurse practitioner
• Primary care pediatric nurse
• Family psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner
• Family nurse practitioner.

Nurse Practitioner Courses In India

Currently in India there is just one nurse practitioner course. The course is started in the stream of critical care. The Indian Nursing Council has initiated this Post Graduate Nurse Practitioner Critical Care Programme, the first Postgraduate nursing residency program in India . The programme is being approved by Government of India.

Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Program is intended to prepare registered BSc Nurses to provide advanced nursing care to adults who are critically ill. The nursing care is focused on stabilizing patients’ condition, minimizing acute complications and maximizing restoration of health. These NPs are required to practice in tertiary care centers. The program consists of various courses of study that are based on strong scientific foundations including evidenced based practice and the management of complex health systems. These are built upon the bachelor’s program in nursing.

When authorized by the nursing regulatory council/s, state or national laws, they may prescribe drugs, medical equipment and therapies. The NPs in CC when exercising prescriptive authority or drug administration as per institutional protocols, they are accountable for the competency in
a) Patient selection/admission into ICU and discharge
b) Problem identification through appropriate assessment
c) Selection/administration of medication or devices or therapies
d) Patients’ education for use of therapeutics
e) Knowledge of interactions of therapeutics, if any
f) Evaluation of outcomes and
g) Recognition and management of complications and untoward reactions

Post Graduate Nurse Practitioner Critical Care Programme is of two year duration.

Below is course framework ( Courtesy: INC)

Eligibility For Nurse Practitioner In Critical Care

A registered B Sc. Nurse / Post Basic B Sc. Nurse with minimum one-year clinical experience

Passed B Sc. (Nursing) / Post Basic B Sc. (Nursing)  from an institute recognized by the Indian Nursing Council  with minimum 55% aggregate marks

One year clinical experience preferably in critical care setting

Subjects for Nurse Practitioner Critical Care

First Year:

• Theoretical basis for advanced practice nursing
• Research application and evidence based practice in critical care
• Advanced skills in leadership, Management and teaching
• Advanced pathophysiology applied to  critical care nursing
• Advanced Pharmacology relevant to critical care nursing
• Advanced health assessment/ Physical assessment in critical care Nursing.

Second Year:

• Foundations
• Critical Care Nursing-I
• Critical Care Nursing-II

Admission Process

The candidate is required to appear in written test/ interview on notified date.

The merit list shall be prepared based on test and the admission list will be notified.

Fees

Course Fees: Total 2.5 to 3 lakh for 2 year course.

Hostel Fees: Additional hostel fees could cost 1 lakh each year.

So total cost for critical nursing nurse practitioner programme in India is around 5 lakh for two years duration.

Note: This is new course, currently critical care nurse practitioner do not have prescription rights.  In future when legal framework comes, they could be allowed to prescribe in the supervision of specialist.

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