A separate Common Entrance Test (SET) will be conducted for admission to nursing courses in the state. AP Medical and Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav has issued orders to the concerned officials to this effect. It has been suggested that this test should be completed in the second week of June every year.
The minister was speaking at a meeting held with representatives of the Association of Nursing Colleges at NTR University in Vijayawada. He said that it has been decided to complete the admissions to nursing courses, which are held in November every year for various reasons, by July.
Every year, 13,000 people are admitted to colleges offering BSC (Nursing) courses in the state. He said that so far, admissions to nursing courses are being done on the basis of competitive examinations like NEET conducted by the center and EAMCET at the state level. He said that admissions are being done on the basis of marks obtained in intermediate in some states.
The Minister said that there are some obstacles in this regard for those who want to pursue nursing education, which is why it has been decided to conduct a separate SET for nursing courses. He said that this test will be conducted online and that those from the B.P.C. groups in intermediate are eligible for the test.
The meeting suggested that a Board of Examinations be set up to take admissions in GNM nursing courses through SET. The minister responded positively to this and ordered the officials to take action accordingly.
The association representatives said that the annual tuition fee for these courses is Rs. 15,000 and for four-year B.Sc (Nursing) courses Rs. 19,000, which is causing problems in providing quality nursing education.
However, they said that they are receiving complaints that nursing educational institutions are charging more than the fixed fees and the management should change their attitude in this regard.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the High Power Committee, Former High Court Judge Justice U. Durga Prasad Rao, Vice Chancellor of NTR Health University, DME Dr. Narasimham, Registrar Dr. Radhika Reddy, Secretary of State Nursing Council Susheela, Secretary of HPC Venikala, and others.
