How to Become a Nurse after 12th: Careers, Courses, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Top Colleges, Skills, Salary

Ahana Bhaduri's profile photo

Ahana Bhaduri

Content Writer | Updated 3+ months ago

P.B.B.Sc Nursing Latest Updates

05 Jan, 2026 PESSAT 2026 registration has been started @admissions.pes.edu. Apply Here 

03 Jan, 2026 SAAT 2026, the 17th edition of this entrance test, will be conducted in online format. Check Here 

03 Jan, 2026 Karnataka UGCET Exam Dates released. Kannada Language Test on April 22. Check Dates Here

Students aspiring to become a Nurse can pursue nursing courses and should complete class 12 board exams with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects. In various nursing courses, students are taught a wide range of subjects and skills to prepare them for a healthcare career. Students aspiring to Become a Nurse can pursue nursing courses such as BSc Nursing, and BSc Post Basic Nursing. Admissions to these courses are done on the basis of various entrance exams such as AIIMS, JIPMER and Kerala B.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam. After completing a nursing course, graduates can explore a wide range of career opportunities. A nursing graduate can work as a registered nurse in hospitals, clinics, or community health centres. Most of the job roles for nurses are Staff Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Educator. The average annual salary of a nurse can range between INR 3.50 LPA to INR 5 LPA.

How to Become a Nurse after 12th: Quick Facts

Eligibility Should have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry & Biology
Qualifications BSc Nursing, BSc Post Basic Nursing, MSc Nursing
Starting Salary (INR) 2.80 LPA
Average Salary (INR) 5 LPA - 7 LPA
Highest Salary (INR) 8 LPA - 12 LPA
Top Recruiters Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, AIIMS, etc.

Also, Check: Nursing Course after 10th

Eligibility to Become a Nurse after 12th 

Students have to meet specific qualification rules to become a nurse after finishing Class 12th in India. The following are the general requirements for pursuing a nursing program after 12th grade:

  • Candidates need to have completed their Class 12 with physics, chemistry, and biology as required subjects. A few establishments may likewise require English as a necessary subject. The marks in Class 12 should be at least 50%.
  • Students may be required to take entrance exams for some nursing courses, particularly undergraduate ones. The AIIMS Nursing Entrance Exam, the JIPMER Nursing Entrance Exam, and state-level nursing entrance exams are among the most widely used nursing entrance exams in India.

Steps to Pursue a Nursing Creer after Class 12th 

Students need to follow the steps thoroughly mentioned below aiming to successfully pursue a nursing career after completion of Class 12.

  • Aspiring candidates must research different nursing courses accessible in India, like General Nursing and Maternity Care (GNM), or B.Sc Nursing. 
  • Applicants must ensure to have met the qualification rules for the nursing course they wish to seek. 
  • Students in some nursing programs are required to take entrance exams. Normal selection tests for nursing incorporate the AIIMS Nursing Selection test, the JIPMER Nursing Selection test, and state-level nursing selection tests.
  • Written tests, interviews, or counselling sessions may be part of the selection process, depending on the school and course. Competitors need to get ready for these cycles to improve their possibilities of determination.
  • Complete the nursing course in accordance with the institution's curriculum and timetable following admission. The span of nursing courses can differ, ordinarily going from 2 to 4 years.
  • Students need to obtain a nursing license and register with the state nursing council or the Indian Nursing Council (INC) after they finish the course. This enrollment is important to rehearse as a medical caretaker in India.
  • Utilize internships, residencies, or employment in healthcare settings to gain practical experience following registration. This will permit understudies to apply their insight and foster fundamental nursing abilities under the direction of experienced experts.

Nursing Courses

There are important nursing courses accessible for people keen on chasing after a lifelong in nursing. Common nursing programs and entrance exams include the following. 

Degree General Nursing and Maternity Care Auxiliary Nurse Midwife B.Sc Nursing Post Basic B.Sc Nursing
Eligibility Class 12 Class 12 Class 12 Class 12
Entrance Exams AIIMS, BHU Nursing Entrance Exam, GIPMER, PGIMER, MGM, CET, IGNOU AIIMS, Indian Army Nursing, NIPER, JIPMER, PGIMER NEET, CENTAC, Scholastic Assessment Test(SAT), ITM NEST AIIMS, JIPMER, Indian Army Nursing
Top Colleges Christian Medical College - Vellore, St John's Medical College, Jamia Hamdard University, SRM Institute Of Science And Technology - Chennai, Kalinga Institute Of Industrial Technology - Bhubaneswar, etc. PIGMER, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Assam Down Town University, Guwahati Parul University, Vadodara IIMT, Meerut RP Indraprastha Institute of Technology, etc. AIIMS, Vellore Christian Medical College, Pune Armed Forces Medical College, Manipal College of Nursing, etc. AIIMS, Apollo College of Nursing, Laxmi Bai Batra College of Nursing New Delhi, Pune Symbiosis College of Nursing, Shimla Indira Gandhi Medical College, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute
Course Fees INR 30,000 to INR 2,50,000 INR 10000 to INR 600000 INR 8,500 to INR 1,30,000 INR 9,000 to INR 75,000
Average Salary INR 12 LPA INR 1.5 LPA INR 1.25 LPA INR 2 to 10 LPA
Top Recruiters AIIMS, Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, etc. Indira Gandhi School and College of Nursing, Bihar Institute of Nursing and Paramedical, Magadh ANM Training School, etc. Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Columbia Asia Hospitals, AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, etc. Manipal Hospitals, Columbia Asia Hospitals, PGIMER, Government Medical College, and Hospital

Entrance Exam

Some entrance exams that are required for admission into various nursing programs are listed below.

Entrance Exams Application Deadlines Exam Dates Result Declarations
AIIMS 3rd week of February – 3rd week of April, 2024

BSc (Hons) – June 8, 2024

BSc PB – June 22, 2024

BSc (Hons) – June 18, 2024

BSc PB – June 28, 2024

JIPMER 4th week of May – 3rd week of June, 2024 2nd week of July 2024 July 2024
AFMC Till 1st week of April 2024 May 5, 2024 4th week of May, 2024

Top Nursing Colleges

These institutions are famous for their scholastic educational program, experienced staff, clinical openness, and general notoriety in the field of nursing schooling. Before selecting a nursing school that is compatible with your preferences and objectives, it is essential to carry out in-depth research and take into account a variety of aspects, including the location, the courses offered, the facilities, and the admission requirements.

Name of The Colleges Location Average Fees
AIIMS New Delhi INR 1 to INR 2.4 Lakhs
Christian Medical College Vellore INR 56,500 to INR 72,990
Armed Forces Medical College Pune INR 35,000
King George’s Medical University Lucknow INR 43,500
Manipal College of Nursing Manipal INR 6.68 Lakhs
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing New Delhi INR 11,862 to INR 28,940
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh INR 1,800 to INR 5,455
St. John’s College of Nursing Bangalore INR 1,00,000
Apollo College of Nursing Chennai INR 50,000 to INR 1,40,000

Skills Required to Become a Nurse after 12th 

The abilities mentioned below in the table, alongside a strong instructive establishment and clinical experience, add to an attendant's capacity to give protected, compelling, and sympathetic consideration to patients in different medical services settings.

Communication Skills Compassion and Empathy Critical Thinking
Attention to Details Emotional Stability Technical Expertise
Organizational Skills Teamwork and Collaboration Cultural Competence

Benefits of Becoming a Nurse

  • Unlike other medical programs with long training periods, nursing programs after class 12 last between 3 to 4 years for a four-year certification in scientific studies in Nursing (B.Sc. Nursing) diploma.
  • There are numerous career paths and opportunities in nursing. One can work in hospitals, clinics, community health centres, schools, research settings, and public health organizations. A nurse can pursue advanced practice positions like nurse administrator, nurse educator, or nurse practitioner.
  • Worldwide healthcare systems consistently have a high need for skilled nurses. Nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare team, and their job prospects are generally promising. It provides a sense of stability and job security.
  • Given the relatively short education requirements, nursing offers a competitive salary structure. 
  • A candidate can have a significant impact on the lives of patients and their families in the rewarding field of nursing. Therefore, a nurse has the opportunity to promote people's health and well-being by providing care, support, and comfort to them during trying times as a nurse.

Salary of a Nurse

The designation, experience, location, and healthcare setting of a nurse can all have an impact on their pay. The following is a general overview of the salary range in India for various nursing designations.

Designations Annual Salary (INR)
Staff Nurse 2.5 L - 5 L
Nurse Practitioner 4 L - 10 L
Nurse Educator 3 L - 8 L
Nurse Administrator/Manager 4 L - 12 L
Clinical Nurse Specialist 4 L - 10 L
Nurse Anaesthetist 6 L - 15 L

How to Become a Nurse after 12th: FAQs

Ques. Could somebody at any point work abroad as a medical caretaker with an Indian nursing degree?

Ans. Indeed, Indian nursing capabilities are perceived globally, which gives amazing chances to work abroad, likely to satisfy the particular nation's authorizing and enlistment necessities.

Ques. In India, what educational requirements are necessary to become a nurse?

Ans. In India, you typically need to complete a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc.) to become a nurse.

Ques. Are nursing students eligible for financial aid or scholarships?

Ans. Indeed, a few grants, awards, and monetary guide choices are accessible for nursing understudies in India. The government, institutions, or private organizations may provide these.

Ques. Are there any placement tests for nursing courses in India?

Ans. Yes, entrance exams for nursing programs are offered by a number of Indian institutions and organizations, including the AIIMS Nursing Entrance Exam and the JIPMER Nursing Entrance Exam.

Ques. What essential qualities or abilities are required to succeed as a nurse?

Ans. Compassion, empathy, strong communication skills, the capacity for critical thinking, attention to detail, organizational skills, and the capacity to work in a team are important qualities that one should have to succeed as a nurse.

Ques. What is the enlistment cycle to turn into a medical caretaker in India?

Ans. To obtain a nursing registration certificate, you must register with either the State Nursing Council or the Indian Nursing Council (INC) after completing your education.

Ques. Are there any postgraduate nursing programs in India?

Ans. Indeed, there are postgraduate nursing projects like Expert of Science in Nursing (M.Sc. Nursing), B.Sc. after Basic Nursing, as well as programs like the Nurse Practitioner One.

Ques. Can someone concentrate on a particular area of nursing?

Ans. Indeed, subsequent to finishing your B.Sc. A candidate can earn certifications or courses in specialized nursing fields like critical care nursing, pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, and so on.

Ques. In India, how long does it take to become a nurse?

Ans. It commonly requires 4 years to finish a B.Sc. India's nursing program. Be that as it may, the span might differ in light of the particular course and organization.

Ques. Are there any postgraduate nursing programs in India?

Ans. Indeed, there are postgraduate nursing projects like Expert of Science in Nursing (M.Sc. Nursing), B.Sc. after Basic Nursing, as well as programs like the Nurse Practitioner one.

Post Basic Bachelor of Science [P.B.B.Sc] (Nursing) : 34 answered questions

VIEW ALL

Ques. How are the placements for Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Nursing) at CMC Vellore?

● Top Answer By Bhavesh kalal on 02 Jul 22

Ans. 70% of students are placed in campus selection. The highest package was 3.5 LPA and the average package was 2.5 LPA. Top recruiting organizations are government hospitals like SMS medical college and hospitals etc. Internships are also good in our college, students get internships in our medical college also. The top roles offered are registered nurse and male nurse in government and private hospitals.Read more
0
0
3 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the admission process at Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Nursing) CMC Vellore?

● Top Answer By Bhavesh kalal on 02 Jul 22

Ans. The admission process was simple and the application form was downloaded online and the same had to be printed out and send to the college along with the DD of 1000 in the favour of college. The college conducts its own entrance after which we were called for the interview followed by the counseling.Read more
0
0
3 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the fees for Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Nursing) in CMC Vellore?

● Top Answer By Bhavesh kalal on 02 Jul 22

Ans. The fee for the course is around Rs.65,000 which is bifurcated down to Rs.50,000 as tuition fee, Rs.8,000 as caution money (to be refunded), and Rs.1500 as library fee. Rs.3000 has to be paid as exam fee and if opted for hostel, Rs.6400/month is the hostel rent plus Rs.3000 per month for the mess chargeRead more
0
0
4 Answer
●●●

Ques. How is the course curriculum of Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Nursing) in CMC Vellore?

● Top Answer By Bhavesh kalal on 02 Jul 22

Ans. The faculty are nice and warm with the students and most of them were the nurses in the hospital. They know how to teach the students and they paid attention to everbody . They were friendly but strict at the same time to us.The course is wide and extensive and we have quite a good day in which the first half of the college.Read more
0
0
4 Answer
●●●

Ques. How are the placements for Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Nursing) at JIPMER?

● Top Answer By Mansi kumari on 01 Apr 24

Ans. The students after completing the 4year course can apply for integrated internship which is for 6months and you get paid around 12000-14000. After internship you need to clear entrance exam and interview to get the placement and the average package is around 65000 per month which increases with increase in clinical experiences. After this course you are eligible to work as a nursing officer in various government and private hospitals. After completing my course I'm planning to crack norcet and work in AIIMS as a nursing officer.Read more
0
0
1 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the admission process at Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Nursing) JIPMER?

● Top Answer By Shihin fathima E on 25 Apr 24

Ans. - merit selection based on NEET score -all information will be available on www.jipmer.edu.in -OBC, SC,ST etc reservatoons can be availed -NEET exam is conducted once every year and has moderate difficulty -admission process can be made a bit easierRead more
0
0
74 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the fees for Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Nursing) in JIPMER?

● Top Answer By Shihin fathima E on 25 Apr 24

Ans. -The fees are fixed and do not hike -constant fees of Rs.11,000/- for the first year and Rs. 5000/- then onwards + exam fees+ hostel rent of Rs. 500/- per month -various central and state scholarships can be availed -no campus placements but internship opportunities availableRead more
0
0
74 Answer
●●●

Ques. How is the course curriculum of Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Nursing) in JIPMER?

● Top Answer By Shihin fathima E on 25 Apr 24

Ans. -adequate number of practical and theory hours are alloted for each subject -100% clinical attendance is mandatory to pass the course -the teaching methods could be more innovative -internal exams from time to time and final exam at the end of academic yearRead more
0
0
74 Answer
●●●

Ques. How are the placements for Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Nursing) at PGIMER Chandigarh?

● Top Answer By Pooja on 31 Jan 25

Ans. Students from 4rth year are eligible for placement. Pgi provide job for it's own students. Bond system is here. Students can apply for foreign jobs as pgi provide their degree and a sheet with completed number of hours as in clinical we need 100% attendance. Students who don't want to work in pgi can go to different hospitals as pgi is a recognized university they will get job easily. 80% students get job in pgi. As many new blocks are building here for future, they will require large amount of nursing officers so they will give job to their own university students. Some senior got their job with a high amount as salary with health benefits, hostel allowanc, travel allowance, and tax is included. Working hour are less here, people can switch there shifts with there workmates as per there convince. My plan is to work here as a nursing officer and do my master degree from pgi itself.Read more
0
0
7 Answer
●●●

Ques. What is the admission process at Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Nursing) PGIMER Chandigarh?

● Top Answer By Pooja on 31 Jan 25

Ans. I had appeared for neet. But as a average student i couldn't make it to be a doctor insted i cracked pgi chandigarh nsc nursing entrance. Pgi chandigarh is very affordable. It provide job as bond is signed during admission, hostel is provided, everything is very affordable here, we have to pay for uniform and that is one time investment. Pgi conduct exam for admission. Pgi chandigarh bsc nursing entrance is the name of exam, it's basically conducted in month of june or july and it is conducted in 4-5 state of north india, it is for females only. Merit list will ne released after the result and student who get their name in list can apply for counseling. Currently there are 89 seats in bsc nursing for 2024 but from 2025 seats will be increased and they will be 128 . Exam is of moderate level. It comprises of biology 20 question. Physics 20 question. Chemistry 20 question. English 20 question. Nursing aptitude 20 question. Paper is conducted in online mode Exam is of 2 hours and 100 questions will be there and +1 for a correct answer and -0. 25 for a wrong answer. Eligibility- Age -17 Education- 12th (50% marks required) Exam is conducted in many languages. All the best for exam.Read more
0
0
7 Answer
●●●

Comments


No Comments To Show

Post Basic Bachelor of Science [P.B.B.Sc] (Nursing) Colleges IN INDIA

View All
2.05 K first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
35.97 K first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
1.1 L first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
1.45 L first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
45 K first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES
1.1 L first year fees
VIEW ALL COURSES & FEES