General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM)
Role of General Nursing and Midwifery
General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) is a professional diploma programme designed to prepare compassionate, competent, and skilled nurses capable of providing comprehensive healthcare services to individuals, families, and communities. The programme develops healthcare professionals who can deliver preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care in hospitals, community settings, and primary healthcare institutions.
GNM nurses play a vital role in patient care by assessing health needs, assisting in diagnosis and treatment, administering medications, monitoring patient progress, providing emergency care, and educating patients and families on health promotion and disease prevention. They serve as frontline healthcare providers and contribute significantly to improving public health outcomes.
The curriculum integrates biological sciences, behavioural sciences, nursing foundations, medical-surgical nursing, maternal and child health, mental health nursing, community health nursing, nursing education, nursing administration, and research. Emphasis is placed on competency-based education, practical skill development, ethical practice, communication, leadership, and evidence-based nursing care.
Students receive extensive hands-on clinical exposure in hospitals, primary health centres, community settings, maternity services, pediatric units, mental health institutions, operating theatres, emergency departments, and specialty healthcare facilities. Clinical learning is supervised by qualified nursing faculty to ensure the development of professional competence and confidence.
The programme also promotes professionalism, empathy, teamwork, patient safety, infection prevention, health education, and community participation. Graduates are equipped to provide quality nursing care while adhering to professional ethics and national healthcare standards.
Upon completion, GNM graduates have diverse career opportunities in government and private hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres, nursing homes, specialty hospitals, rehabilitation centres, home healthcare services, industrial health units, educational institutions, military healthcare services, NGOs, and public health programmes. The programme also provides a pathway for higher education, including Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing and other advanced nursing specializations.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifying Examination
Candidates should have completed 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized Board.
The following candidates are also eligible:
10+2 with Science (preferred)
10+2 from any recognized stream with minimum prescribed marks
Registered ANM candidates
10+2 Vocational ANM Course recognized by the Indian Nursing Council
10+2 Health Care Science (Vocational Stream) from a recognized Board.
Marks
Minimum 40% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination.
5% relaxation for SC/ST candidates as per Government norms.
Reservation for eligible candidates is applicable according to Government regulations.
Age Limit
Minimum age: 17 years as on 31st December of the admission year.
Maximum age: 35 years.
No upper age limit for ANM/LHV candidates.
Candidates should be medically fit.
Course Duration
The General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) programme is a 3-year Diploma Course, consisting of:
First Year
Second Year
Third Year (Part I)
Integrated Supervised Internship (Third Year Part II)
The programme comprises approximately 6,024 hours of theory instruction, laboratory training, clinical practice, community postings, and supervised internship following the Indian Nursing Council curriculum.
Course Curriculum
First Year
Anatomy & Physiology
Microbiology
Psychology
Sociology
Fundamentals of Nursing
First Aid
Community Health Nursing – I
Environmental Hygiene
Health Education & Communication Skills
Nutrition
English
Computer Education
Second Year
Medical Surgical Nursing – I
Medical Surgical Nursing – II
Mental Health Nursing
Child Health Nursing
Clinical Practice
Third Year (Part I)
Midwifery & Gynaecological Nursing
Community Health Nursing – II
Clinical Practice
Co-curricular Activities
Third Year (Part II – Internship)
Nursing Education
Introduction to Research & Statistics
Professional Trends & Adjustments
Nursing Administration & Ward Management
Integrated Clinical Internship
Clinical Training
Clinical training forms the core of the GNM programme. Students receive supervised practical experience in recognized teaching hospitals and community healthcare settings, enabling them to apply theoretical knowledge in real-life patient care.
Clinical postings include:
Fundamentals of Nursing
Medical Wards
Surgical Wards
Community Health Centres
Primary Health Centres
Maternal & Child Health Units
Labour Room
Pediatric Wards
Mental Health Institutions
Operation Theatre
Emergency & Trauma Care
Intensive Care Units
Specialty Departments
Rural and Urban Community Health Centres
Throughout clinical training, students participate in patient assessment, nursing procedures, medication administration, infection prevention, health education, documentation, communication, and interdisciplinary teamwork under faculty supervision.
Internship
The final six months of the programme consist of an Integrated Supervised Internship, providing extensive clinical exposure across major nursing specialties.
Internship postings include:
Medical Surgical Nursing
Community Health Nursing
Midwifery & Gynaecological Nursing
Child Health Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Students function as supervised members of the healthcare team while strengthening competencies in patient care, clinical decision-making, leadership, nursing management, documentation, communication, and professional practice. Night duty experience is also included to prepare graduates for independent clinical responsibilities.
Successful completion of the internship and all academic requirements leads to the award of the Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM).
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the GNM programme can pursue rewarding careers in:
Government & Private Hospitals
Multispecialty Hospitals
Community Health Centres (CHCs)
Primary Health Centres (PHCs)
Nursing Homes
Maternity Hospitals
Pediatric Hospitals
Mental Health Centres
Intensive Care Units (ICU)
Emergency & Trauma Care
Home Healthcare Services
Industrial Health Services
Military & Defence Healthcare
NGOs & Public Health Organizations
Educational Institutions
GNM graduates may also pursue Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing, opening pathways to advanced clinical practice, nursing education, nursing administration, and postgraduate nursing specializations.