NURSING
For students in Punjab seeking admission to nursing programs, the primary pathways involve state-level and national-level entrance examinations. The central authority for admissions to most government and private nursing colleges in Punjab is Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot. Below are the essential details presented in a structured narrative format.
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) for B.Sc. Nursing
Admission to the B.Sc. Nursing program in Punjab is predominantly based on the NEET-UG score. Candidates must have passed their 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English, securing a minimum of 45% aggregate marks in PCB (40% for reserved categories). After qualifying NEET-UG, students must participate in the centralized counselling conducted by BFUHS, where seat allotment to government and private colleges is determined by NEET rank, category, and choice filling.
Punjab Para-Medical Entrance Test (PMET) for GNM and ANM
For admissions to General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM) courses, the state conducts the Punjab Para-Medical Entrance Test (PMET), also overseen by BFUHS. The examination typically includes objective-type questions from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and General Awareness, based on the 10+2 syllabus. Eligibility requires passing 10+2 with relevant science subjects, and admissions proceed through state counselling.
BFUHS Institutional Entrance Examinations
BFUHS also conducts its own entrance tests for certain programs. This includes the Post-Basic B.Sc. Nursing entrance exam for registered GNM nurses and, in some cases, a separate B.Sc. Nursing entrance test if not under the NEET umbrella. These exams generally cover nursing subjects, general English, and logical reasoning.
Key Nursing Colleges in Punjab
Prominent government institutions include the University College of Nursing at BFUHS Faridkot, Government College of Nursing in Patiala and Amritsar, and Dr. B.L. Kapoor Memorial College of Nursing in Jalandhar. Many private colleges, such as Christian Medical College Ludhiana and Chitkara University, also offer nursing programs, with some accepting NEET scores and others conducting independent entrance processes.
Counselling and Seat Allotment Process
The counselling process for state quota seats is managed by BFUHS. Candidates must register online, fill their preferred college choices, and attend document verification at designated centers. Seat allotment is based on merit, category, and seat availability. The reservation policy follows state norms, with quotas for Scheduled Castes (25%), Backward Classes (5%), physically handicapped individuals (3%), sports persons (1%), and freedom fighters’ descendants (1%).
Registration with Punjab State Nursing Council
Upon completion of any nursing program, graduates must register with the Punjab State Nursing Council (PSNC) to obtain a license to practice. This requires submitting final marksheets, course completion certificates, and identity documents.
Important Resources and Websites
For official updates, students should regularly check the BFUHS website (www.bfuhs.ac.in) for admission notifications and the Punjab State Nursing Council website (www.psnc.org.in) for registration details. The NEET-UG official website (neet.nta.nic.in) provides all relevant information regarding the national entrance exam.
Tentative Annual Timeline
The NEET-UG exam is typically held in May. BFUHS usually releases nursing entrance notifications in June or July, followed by counselling from July to August. Academic sessions generally commence in September or October.
Summary of Entrance Pathways
For B.Sc. Nursing, the main entrance is NEET-UG. For GNM and ANM courses, the Punjab PMET is the standard entrance exam. Post-Basic B.Sc. Nursing admissions are through the BFUHS-conducted test. Prospective students should ensure they meet eligibility criteria, prepare for the appropriate entrance exam, keep all necessary documents ready, and actively follow official announcements to navigate the admission process successfully.
More Detail