Nursing Psychiatric patients are not easy as it seems. While most people assume that B.Sc. Nursing courses could make one suitable for it, in fact, it does not. General nursing and psychiatric nursing are different. In simple terms, there are only two types of psychiatric courses.
- Diploma in psychiatric nursing
- M.Sc. in Psychiatric nursing
One of the things about this course is that it cannot be compared to other courses. Most commonly, only candidates with experience and a nurse license are eligible to peruse the PG program. While there is also a diploma course in this stream, it is not as good as M.Sc. Psychiatric nursing course. However, not all people could peruse the course for such a long time, for such people diploma in psychiatric nursing is good.
What is Psychiatric Nursing?
We have always known the fact that there is no need to explain what psychiatric nursing course. One of the reasons is that most of the people who peruse the course would have a general idea about this course and what it is about. However, for people who don’t know. The psychiatric course is different from the general nursing course and all other types of nursing. While all the other types of nursing courses provide a candidate with the skills to nurse standard patients, the psychiatric nursing course is all about nursing patients with mental disorders. It is not easy to manage and nurse a person with a mental disorder. It includes mood disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, paranoia, schizophrenia, self-harm, anxiety disorders, etc. This is why psychiatric course and the job is different from others. This is also one of the reasons why there are only diplomas and PG courses.
Diploma in Psychiatric nursing –
A diploma in psychiatric nursing is not a very common course. Therefore, perusing this course is not easy. First of all, the colleges or institutes that offer this course in each state are limited. While this course cannot be described as the best, it is best for candidates who have a mind set and aim to work in this field. You must remember that this field is different and the job could be frustrating and complicated. Peruse this course only if you are compassionate and have good patience.
Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing: Eligibility criteria –
The eligibility criteria for this course are different in different colleges and universities. However, in general, as far as we know, the below-mentioned eligibility criteria are as follows.
The candidate should have completed and passed 12th from a government recognized board of education with a minimum of 50% marks. Apart from this, the candidate should have perused biology, physics, and chemistry as core subjects in 11th and 12th. While this is just a diploma course, as the seats are limited, most colleges and universities conduct entrance tests to cherry pick candidates based on scores secured in the entrance test, therefore, appearing for the entrance test is important.
Diploma in Psychiatric nursing: Course duration –
This is a diploma course and therefore the course duration is limited to 1-year.
Diploma in Psychiatric nursing: Syllabus –
The syllabus of this diploma course is different in different states and colleges. However, a few of the common subjects taught are as follows.
- Microbiology
- First aid
- English
- Nutrition
- Community health nursing 1
- Anatomy and physiology
- Sociology
- Phycology
- Fundamentals of nursing
- Personal hygiene
- Mental health and Psychiatric nursing
- Professional trends and adjustments
- Health economics
- Teaching in the practice of nursing
- Introduction to research
- Computers in nursing
- Medical-surgical nursing 1
- Medical-surgical nursing 2
- Paediatric nursing
- Curriculum for internship
Diploma in Psychiatric nursing: Course fees –
The course fee of a Diploma in psychiatric nursing is comparatively low. In general, the course fee would be less than INR 1 lakh.
Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing: Career –
Any candidate who has completed and passed this course could find job opportunities in both the private and public sectors. This includes hospitals, health centres, clinics, etc.
Masters of Science in Psychiatric nursing –
M.Sc. in Psychiatric nursing is a PG course that trains and offers the skills and knowledge to become a PHNs (Psychiatric Health Nurse). While some people assume that B.Sc. nurses could serve as a psychiatric nurse, but, such hospitals and clinics do not consider B.Sc. nurses, instead Diploma holders in Psychiatric nursing.
As mentioned this is a psychiatric course, therefore the level of knowledge and skills acquired is comparatively deep. As the field is psychiatry, special training and skills are offered.
M.Sc. Psychiatric nursing course: Eligibility criteria –
The eligibility criteria for M.Sc. The psychiatric nursing course could be different in different places. However, the most commonly accepted eligibility criteria are as mentioned.
- The candidate should have completed B.Sc. Nursing course first
- The candidate should have a nurse license
- The candidate should have graduated UG course with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
- Some of the colleges and universities demand to allow only candidates who have appeared and scored high ranks in the entrance test conducted locally, or nationally.
M.Sc. Psychiatric nursing course: Course duration –
Unlike other courses, M.Sc. A psychiatric nursing course is a PG course that has a maximum course duration of 2-years. Most of the colleges in India follow the same course duration.
M.Sc. Psychiatric nursing course: Syllabus –
The course syllabus of M.Sc. The psychiatric nursing course could be different for different colleges and universities. But, a general syllabus is followed by most universities and colleges and they are listed below.
1st year –
- Nursing education
- Clinical specialty 1
- Psychiatric nursing
- Advanced nursing practice
- Nursing research and statistics
2nd year –
- Clinical specialty
- Psychiatry nursing
- Nursing management
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Nursing research
M.Sc. Psychiatric nursing course: Admission process –
Even though this is a PG course, the admission process could be merit based or entrance based. Yes, some colleges enroll candidates based on merit and some enroll candidates based on entrance test scores. In the same way, few colleges have seats reserved for both merit based and entrance based results.
M.Sc. Psychiatric nursing course: Course fee –
As this is a PG course, the overall course for 2-years could be around 1.5 to 2.5 lakhs. However, in government or government aided colleges, the course fee could be comparatively very low.
M.Sc. Psychiatric nursing course: Career
The career option for M.Sc. Psychiatric nurses might seem to below. However, in reality, there are good opportunities in India and abroad. If the candidate could not find a job as a nurse in the private or public sector. He/she could find a job as a nurse educator in both private or public colleges.
M.Sc. Psychiatric nursing course: Salary package
The salary package of an M.Sc. Psychiatric nurse would depend on the sector he/she is working in and the also the firm. Some international firms pay comparatively better salaries. However, in general, the salary could range between 3 to 7.5 lakhs per annum.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
