IKON
Mother Teresa
Trading the traditional nun’s habit for a simple white sari, Mother Teresa organized a dedicated team of nun nurses to provide healthcare in the slums of Calcutta. Her most famous patients were the “untouchable” lepers whom no one else dared to approach. Although she worked under the auspices of the Catholic Church, the care she provided was distinctly non-sectarian. The nuns would read from the Quran for suffering Muslims and bring water from the Sacred Ganges to dying Hindus. Today, 4,500 nuns work in 133 nations, providing compassionate, non-denominational care to those whom the rest of the world might overlook. Recently declared a saint, she is now known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
What is the job all about?
Nursing is the professional care of the sick. It requires compassion, patience, stamina, professional competence, good communication skills, and the ability to work at any hour, day or night. Nurses’ duties include assisting doctors during surgery, delivering babies, and providing post-surgical care. They also ensure that medical prescriptions are administered on time and in the correct dosage.
There are five levels of nursing, plus an additional level for those who wish to work overseas:
• Home Nursing
• Auxiliary Nurse, Midwifery, or Multi-purpose Health Worker
• Health Care Person
• General Nursing Nurse
• Lecturer/Professor
• Overseas Nursing
Can you go for it?
Each level of nursing requires unique competencies.
• Home Nursing: Designed for senior citizens who prefer medical care at home rather than in hospitals or old age homes.
• Auxiliary Nurse & Midwifery Nurse: Trained to care for pregnant mothers, assist in deliveries, and provide postnatal care for both mother and child.
• Health Care Person: Part of the Goa Board’s Vocational Program after Std. X, this qualification prepares individuals to work in community health centers and nursing or maternity hospitals.
• General Nursing Nurse: These trained professionals assist doctors in operating theaters and provide post-operative care.
• Lecturer: With a master’s or PhD in nursing, you can pursue a career in teaching.
• Overseas Nursing: There is a high demand for trained nurses in the US and Europe, offering lucrative opportunities for those who meet their standards.
Where to Begin:
In Goa:
• Home Nursing Training: St. Bridget’s Home, Aldona, and Caritas-Goa offer a 1-year certificate course in Home Nursing. Montfort Academy and Agnel Home Nursing also offer similar programs.
• Auxiliary Nurses: The Institute of Nursing, Bambolim, offers this course for those who have completed Std. XII.
• Health Care Person: This program is available in the vocational stream after Std. X.
• B.Sc. Nursing: A 4-year program after Std. XII in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) offered by the Institute of Nursing, Bambolim, and Victor Apollo Hospital, Margao.
• Teaching: To teach nursing, pursue a master’s or PhD in nursing.
• Overseas Job: For more details, visit www.cgfns.org
Outside Goa:
• KLE University, Belgaum (B.Sc. / M.Sc. / Ph.D. programs)
• B. Y. L. Nair Hospital, Mumbai
• K. E. M. Hospital, Mumbai
• L. T. M. G. Hospital, Mumbai
• Dr. R. N. Cooper Hospital, Mumbai
• H. B. M. G. Hospital, Mumbai
• KDA Nursing College, Mumbai
• Tilak Maharashtra University, Pune
• Bangalore City College, Bangalore
• Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal
Employment Avenues
Nursing offers numerous employment opportunities across various fields. For those with compassion and a strong work ethic, there is no shortage of jobs.
Salary Expectations
Initially, trained nurses can expect a salary of around ₹24,000 per month. With experience, this can increase to between ₹30,000 and ₹45,000 per month.
Home nursing jobs typically start at ₹15,000 per month and can go up to ₹20,000 per month with experience.
Don’t settle for just a degree or diploma — enhance your CV by completing online learning programs with certification in areas relevant to your chosen career. This will significantly improve your employment prospects compared to holding only a basic qualification. Additionally, consider boosting your confidence by enrolling in public speaking courses, such as those offered by Toastmasters International.
For government job opportunities, please check: www.employment-newspaper.com
page updated: August 2024