Job saturation, specialisation see demand for MSc nursing

Mangaluru: The saturating job opportunities in European countries and the need for higher studies and specialisation are resulting in increased interest in MSc courses in nursing in coastal districts.

Nursing colleges are witnessing rise in admissions for MSc programmes. According to the colleges, they may see a 20% to 30% admission increase for the next batch. Previously, after completing GNM and BSc nursing courses, candidates worked bedside nursing in India or moved abroad.

Merlin Sheeba Jinto, principal of Sahyadri College of Nursing, shared that earlier only a few colleges in the district offered MSc programmes in nursing, and hardly had any takers. "However, in recent years, the scenario has changed, and a lot of them go for specialisation by getting admitted to MSc courses," she pointed out.

According to another former nursing college principal, the reason for more admissions to MSc nursing programmes is job saturation or decreasing opportunities abroad. Jasmine D'Souza shared that MSc in nursing saw a boom when rules were relaxed in 2007, and demand gradually decreased after a few years. However, the demand started again in the last two years, with institutions witnessing a 25% to 30% admission increasing every year. The reason is that the UK, Ireland, and other countries, which recruited many nurses post-Covid, have reduced recruitment. Among Gulf countries, only a few offer a good salary package.

Dr Elsa Sanatombi Devi, professor, department of medical surgical nursing, MCON, Manipal, added that though the opportunities abroad are now low, having an MSc degree gives an edge to pursue a PhD and get into research.

MSc student Neha Maria B shared that she planned to go abroad post-BSc but stayed back to pursue PG. "I would want to get into bedside nursing with a higher post in any hospital," she said.

Meanwhile, a principal of a prominent nursing college in the city alleged unethical practices of nursing colleges offering MSc courses. "Some colleges award MSc degrees to candidates without them attending any classes or completing their required thesis. The candidates will be working full-time somewhere. This must be curbed for the quality of education," the principal alleged.