Nursing Courses after 12th: Arts, Commerce, Science

Wondering about best nursing courses after 12th in India? Read this article to know about the eligibility criteria, top nursing schools, and much more.

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Nursing Courses after 12th: Students aiming for a career in the medical field are often stuck with a lucrative dream of MBBS, and due to this, many students tend to move away from their goals. Apart from regular degrees, students can also opt for nursing, which aligns with a similar field of study.

Nursing is one of the noblest and oldest professions; it involves dedicating oneself to sick and peaked patients. It's a mixture of providing physical healing whereas additionally providing mental support to patients and their families.

Let us discuss some of the top nursing courses after 12th, along with their scopes and eligibility.

Nursing Courses After 12th

After 12th, there are pretty standard questions among students like "Can I do the Nursing course after 12th" or "Can I choose among any significant subjects. "Luckily, the nursing courses after 12th are pretty popular in India. There are many opportunities available, and the most preferred among these opportunities are diploma-level nursing courses, explained in detail.

Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife course
General Nursing and Midwifery
B.Sc in Nursing
B.Sc in Community Health Nursing
B.Sc in Mental Health Nursing
B.Sc. in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Diploma in Ayurvedic Nursing
Disaster Medicine Training
Diploma in Nursing Care Assistant
Diploma in Nursing
Certificate Course in Essentials of Cardiology
Certificate Course in Wellness Coaching
Certificate Course in Home-Based Care Helper
Certificate Course in Nursing Administration
Certificate Course in Nursing Care Assistant
Certificate Course in Home-Based Healthcare
Rural Healthcare Diploma

Also Read: Nursing Courses After 10th

Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery

The Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery course is popularly known as ANM, a two-year-long Diploma program which is regarded as the best nursing courses after 12th. ANM focuses more on providing knowledge on public health services and not on general health services. The coursework consists of subjects like Child Health Nursing, Health Promotion, etc., that consider the public healthcare sector. The course offers basic-level training that readily enables students to venture into jobs directly.

Key Insights:

Course Full Form: Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery
Duration: Two Years
Eligibility: 50% in 10+2 science degree with biology as a mandatory subject
Course Fees: INR 10- 60K PA
Entrance Exam: JIPMER ANM, AP-EAMCET, etc.
Subjects Offered: Health Promotion, Midwifery, Primary Nursing, etc.
Average Salary: INR 3- 4 LPA

Also Read: List of Low-Fee Nursing Colleges

General Nursing and Midwifery

GNM Nursing course is generally a diploma-level nursing courses after 12th, and the duration of this course is three to four years. It prepares students to become general nurses, and the functional part will be in first-level positions in hospitals. GNM courses can be considered short-term diploma course that offers more professional-level training that prepares students for the job. Graduates can opt for higher education in a B.Sc in Nursing or can opt for jobs in private and public healthcare sectors with a good pay scale.

Key Insights:

Course Full Form: General Nursing and Midwifery
Duration: Three Years
Eligibility: 50% in 10+2 science degree with biology as a mandatory subject
Course Fees: INR 1- 3 LPA
Entrance Exam: JIPMER GNM, BHU Nursing, etc.
Subjects Offered: Control and destruction of Microbes, Behavioural Sciences, Philosophy of Nursing Science, etc.
Average Salary: INR 3- 4 LPA

Also Check: B.Sc Nursing Scope in India

B.Sc Nursing

Another nursing courses after 12th is the B.Sc Nursing, in which students learn theoretical and practical aspects of nursing. B.Sc Nursing course duration is a four-year undergraduate science program within which a student learns excellent information about nursing, first-aid, and midwifery. The coursework offers a basic understanding of human anatomy and specialised subjects on child health and primary health care practice. Since the course is more technically oriented, graduates receive good job scopes in top healthcare organisations and hospitals.

Key Insights:

Course Full Form: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Duration: Four Years
Eligibility: 50% in 10+2 from the science group, with PCB as mandatory subjects of study
Entrance Exams: NEET, PPMET, etc.
Course Fees: INR 20k- 2.5 LPA
Subjects Offered: Human Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Child Health, Nutrition, etc.
Average Salary: INR 3 LPA

Read More: ANM vs GNM vs BSc Nursing

Top Nursing Institutes in India

Nursing is one of the most popular professions in the country. The Indian healthcare sector is expanding rapidly, and the demand for nurses is imminent. Nursing courses after 12th are offered in several top universities across the country. Some of the top colleges and universities are:

AECS Maruti College of Nursing
AIIMS Delhi
Delhi Institute of Technology and Paramedical Sciences
Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College
Ahmedabad Institute of Nursing Sciences (AINS), Lapkaman
Apex College of Nursing and Hospital (ACNH), Varanasi
Aware College of Nursing (ACN), Hyderabad
Bombay Hospital College of Nursing (BHCN), Mumbai
Indian Academy College and School of Nursing (IACN), Bangalore
JG College of Nursing (JGCN), Sirsa

Also Read: Top 10 Courses After BSc Nursing in 2025

Eligibility to Pursue Nursing Courses

Nursing courses after 12th, just like any other medical-related courses, have their own set of eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria vary from one college to another, but some standard criteria are as per the MCI. Some of the essential eligibility criteria to pursue nursing courses are as follows:

The nursing course eligibility is to complete 10+2 with Science. A minimum of 45% aggregate is required under a recognised board such as AISSCE/ CBSE / HSCE/ ICSE / SSCE or an equivalent board.
One can select and take admission in any nursing course according to interest, expertise, and current qualification standing.
If the candidate has a bachelor's degree in nursing, they can choose a two-year-long Master's Degree Course.
Students should complete their Class 10+2 in the Science stream with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and will pick a three-year Bachelor's Degree Course.
Students who have completed their 10th grade may additionally choose a certification course that could be one or two years long.
Successful completion of a postgraduate degree in nursing may qualify students may be admitted to a PhD in Nursing.

Also Read: B.Sc Nursing vs B.Pharmacy vs BPT - Which is Better?

Admission Procedure for Nursing Courses

The admission procedure a candidate needs to go through will differ from one college to another. The general criteria for pursuing nursing courses after 12th are:

The minimum marks required are 45%.
Students may have to give an entrance test/interview conducted by the nursing entrance board or college for some courses.
Students who have opted science stream in their 10+2 with Biology, Chemistry, Maths, and Physics can quickly get admission to any nursing courses.
In most courses, the age criteria are between 17- 35 years.

Here is the list of entrance exams for nursing:

AFMC Entrance Exam
AIIMS B.Sc Nursing Exam
BHU GNM Entrance Test
B.Sc (Nursing) Entrance Exam
PPMET B.Sc (Nursing) Exam
NITTE M.Sc (Nursing) Entrance Exam
NTRUHS M.Sc (Nursing) Entrance Test

Also Read: BSc Nursing through NEET 2025

Scope of Nursing

After completing the nursing courses after 12th, one must register with the State Nurse Registration Council (SNRC) to become a registered nurse or midwife. As per skills, qualifications, and experience, candidates can apply for a job in any private or government-run hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, community health centres, rehabilitation clinics, nursing homes, industries, sanatoriums, and even in the armed forces. Nurses can also take up jobs at health organisations like the Indian Nursing Council, the Indian Red Cross Society, and State Nursing Councils.

Occupational Areas for Nurses

Here are the occupational areas for nursing courses after 12th

Adult-gerontology
Communities/public
Family/individual across the lifespan
Mental health
Neonatal
Pediatrics
Women's health/gender-related

Types of Nursing Jobs

There are many job opportunities for a person who has completed their graduation in the field of nursing. Here are the details of a few nursing jobs for students who pursue nursing courses after 12th:

Clinical Study Observer (and Interviewer) Nurse: Have you ever taken part in a clinical study for a brand new medication or aid procedure? Odds are the person looking after you could be a specially trained clinical studies nurse.
Educator Nurse: An educator nurse's place of work is usually in hospitals, post-secondary colleges, or even move around tiny communities. The main job of an educator nurse is to introduce new techniques and processes to aid others.
Geriatric and Retirement Nurse: The aged would like additional healthcare more often than younger patients. Geriatric nurses are always trained to aid the elders both physically and emotionally.
Intensive Care Nurse: For the seriously unwell or harmed, medical care nurses will be lifesavers. They often offer hands-on care in hospitals. Intensive care nurses might have to work late-night shifts or even weekends, sometimes depending on their work schedule.
Mental Health, psychiatric and Addictions Nurse: Nurses trained in these matters offer support in clinics, hospitals, and faculties.
Nurse-midwife: A nurse-midwife will facilitate if the mother or new baby desires on-the-spot healthcare assistance.
Nurse Practitioner: The job description of a nurse practitioner includes the provision of a comprehensive report of patients, including the identification of diseases/disorders and conditions; they also initiate treatment, prescribe medications, arrange therapeutic interventions, and help in healthcare management.
Nurse Practitioner: If one wants to become a Nurse Practitioner, one needs to have a Master’s Degree in Nursing. Licensed hands-on Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses hold biennial practical nursing diplomas from authorised colleges. They have to additionally complete the national licensing exam before starting a healthcare career. Registered Nurses, generally known as RNs, exist in provinces. The educational qualification of an RN is a four-year Bachelor’s degree in nursing or of equivalent qualification.
Oncology (Cancer) Nurse: Oncology nurses will be with the patient at every stage of their cancer journey, from diagnosing to helping with cancer care. They enable us to manage the illness better, physically and mentally.
Palliative Care Nurse: Palliative care nurses are usually assigned to patients who prefer good healthcare in their final stages. They make sure that their patients endure less suffering, and maintain the standard of life, as the end nears.

Also Read: Non-NEET Candidates to apply for B.Sc Nursing

Salary Earned by Nurses

The expected yearly pay for a nurse practitioner also depends on work location and specialisation. Nurses earn from INR 60- 70K annually. However, the skillset acquired and knowledge also play a vital role in determining the salary. The following table lists some designations and the average salary offered for students who pursue nursing courses after 12th: