Nursing to be precise is one of the few professions that guarantee an immediate job on completion of the course. It is also one of the few professions that manifest a gradual rise in employment potential both within and outside. Employment opportunities in this sector are poised to grow by leaps and bounds with more and more specialisation coming in to play a major role.

Nursing profession can definitely be excluded from the oft-repeated cry of "what's the use of studying". A report published by Disty Marketing Intelligence, Mumbai, on Indian nursing care 2003 highlights the fact that job prospects in the nursing profession are bound to rise by an average 6.16% annually. The number of registered nurses in India rose from 8,75,442 in 1998-99 to 12,83,775 in 2002-03. Compensation package of the nurses also rose sharply during this period. It is estimated that an average of 50,000 nurses pass out of the various nursing schools spread across the country annually.

Specialisation is no more the prerogative of the Doctors only in the health care industry. The Government itself has come forward to take the initiative in starting new specialised courses in the nursing sector. The Nursing Council of India has identified over 15 specialised Nursing courses for this purpose.

Anasthesia, Cardio-thorasic, Critical care, Geriative care, Industrial, emergency and Disaster, Operation Theatre, Onconologyand palliative nursing, Opthalmology, Orthopaedic and rehabiltation, Nephro and Neurology are a few of the specialised nursing courses.

The globalisation process has in its wake brought in a plethora of private and foreign investors on the economic scene. The bulk of the investment, however, has been cornered by Hospital, Superspeciality hospitals, Medical colleges, Nursing schools etc in the health care industry. A large number of such institutions are soon to come up with foreign collaboration in the private and public sector. An emerging trend that has been visible of late is the migration of nurses on a large scale to preferred destinations in Europe and North America to the near total exclusion of the Gulf countries. Added to this is the fact that a large number of recruiting agencies have sprang up offering placement assistance to Nurses in various parts of the globe. BUPA, MEDEX, J&J, HMI, BLUE CROSS, - all global players and renowned recruiting agencies have set foot in India eager to make their presence felt in the Medicare sector.

As per records over 60,000 registered nurses work in the gulf countries. Indian nurses are also to be found in large numbers in England, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. The largest number, however, are found in the United States of America. Studies conducted by the American Labour Department reveal that the nursing profession (RNS) will employ the largest number of professionals by the year 2008. The American medical bulletin in a 2001 release has stated that by the year 2020 there will be a 20% shortfall in the required number of nurses. Cut to numerical figures and over 400,000 nurses stand to gain entry in to United States. Figures given out by the recruiting agencies reveal that as of now there exists vacancies for 1,26,000 nurses in various hospitals in the United States alone.

There is a growing trend among nurses to work in the United States in preference to the Gulf countries. The American social set up and the strict health norms being practised there opens vast opportunities for the nurses to migrate. In America it is the duty of the government to take care of the health needs of those over 65 years of age and there are an estimated 65 million such people in the United States. America will thus need 2.25 lakhs nurses presently.

In America a nurse plays the role of an ambassador and the vital link between the doctor and the patient. The average salary of a registered nurse in the United Stats is Rs. 1,75,000. Postgraduates can earn over Rs .2,30,000; but for those with specialisation, monthly earnings can go up to Rs. 3,50,000

And a piece of advise to those intending to go to the United States. The first part of the process is a pass in the CGFNS (commission on graduate of foreign nursing schools) The paper will be of the objective type. Presently the exams are held in Banglore and Cochin in the months of March, July and November. Besides a band score of 7 in the IELTS examination is a must.

The Canadian Institute of International studies at Chandigarh offers a one-year International nursing degree. Only those who have completed the GNM diploma can apply. The course is conducted in collaboration with Newzealand.Those completing the course will be provided with immediate placement abroad. They will be eligible for a pay packet of 18 to 24 lakhs annually. Family visa will be provided after one year. For more details 93165 23523