The General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) course is one of the most popular career options in the healthcare sector. It is designed for students who want to become professional nurses and work in hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and maternity care.
In 2026, nursing has become one of the most stable career paths because healthcare demand is rising in India and abroad. GNM focuses on patient care, clinical training, maternity care, emergency support, and basic medical procedures.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) |
| Duration | 3 Years + 6 Months Internship (varies by institute) |
| Eligibility | 10+2 (Science/Arts/Commerce) with minimum marks (as per institute) |
| Admission Process | Merit Based: Class 12 marks Entrance Based: Some states/institutes conduct nursing entrance tests |
| Course Fees | Govt Colleges: ₹10,000 – ₹80,000 (Total) Private Colleges: ₹1 Lakh – ₹4 Lakhs (Total) |
| Career Scope | Staff Nurse, Clinical Nurse, Community Nurse, Midwife, ICU Nurse |
| Average Salary | ₹2.5 LPA – ₹5.5 LPA (Fresher) |
GNM is a diploma-level nursing course that trains students to provide proper care to patients in hospitals and healthcare centers. It includes learning about clinical nursing, emergency care, maternal care, first aid, patient safety, and medical support.
This course is best for students who want a direct entry into healthcare jobs and want to build a career as a registered nurse after completing required registration.
GNM is a career-focused healthcare course with strong job demand. Here are the main reasons students choose it:
GNM course includes both theory and clinical training. Major subjects and areas are:
GNM eligibility is simple but may vary slightly by state or institute:
Most colleges follow a merit or entrance-based admission process:
After completing GNM and registration, students can work in multiple healthcare roles:
GNM salary depends on hospital type, location and experience. A realistic salary range:
Smart Tip: Nurses working in ICU, emergency and critical care departments often get better salary and faster promotions.
Yes, GNM is a good course because nursing has stable demand in both government and private hospitals. It provides job opportunities in clinics, nursing homes and healthcare centers. With experience and registration, you can build long-term career growth.
B.Sc Nursing is a degree course and offers wider career opportunities and higher salary growth. GNM is a diploma course and gives faster job entry in nursing roles. Choose based on your budget, time and long-term career goal.
Yes, many colleges accept Arts and Commerce students for GNM. The course teaches nursing basics from scratch with proper training. Your clinical practice and patient care skills matter most for success.
GNM provides a good starting salary and stable job opportunities in healthcare. Growth becomes better if you gain experience and work in ICU or critical care departments. Many students also upgrade to higher courses later for better positions.