ANM and GNM Full Form: Difference, Course Details and Career Scope

ANM GNM Full Form: Overview

What is the difference between the ANM & GNM full form?

As is clear with the GNM ANM full form, the GNM programme focuses on comprehensive nursing training that includes the theoretical and practical knowledge of patient care, advanced clinical skills, and midwifery, whereas the ANM course covers the basics of healthcare skills to assist the doctors at primary health care centres and patient care.

ANM and GNM Course Duration

The full form of ANM and GNM clears the confusion about the level of both programmes. ANM is the basic diploma-level programme with a course duration of 2 years, whereas GNM is the advanced diploma programme with a course duration of 3 years and 6 months. Students have to complete the 6 months of internship as part of the GNM curriculum.

Also Read: AIIMS BSc Nursing

ANM and GNM: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the ANM and GNM courses vary with the level of the programme. Check the eligibility criteria of both courses below.

ANM Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification: Class 12th recognised by CBSE/ICSE/SSSCE/HSCE or a recognised equivalent examination.

Age Limit:

• Minimum Age Limit: The candidate should be 17 years old on or before December 31 of the year of admission.

• Maximum Age Limit: The candidate should not be more than 35 years old.

• Age Relaxation: Anganwadi, Asha workers and Trained Dias for admission to ANM course in Government Multipurpose Health Worker Training Schools/ANM schools shall be relaxed from 35 years to 42 years

Is there any gender-related criteria for ANM admission?

Yes, admission to the ANM course, which stands for Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery, is restricted only to female candidates.

GNM Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must have passed class 12th with English with the minimum mark of 40% in the exam and English individually from a recognised board.

Or,

Candidates who passed class 12th with English having 40% of marks in the vocational ANM course from the school recognised by the Indian Nursing Council.

Or,

Those who have passed class 12th with English, having 40% of marks in Vocational Health Care Science from a recognised CBSE board/state/centre.

Or,

Registered ANM with pass marks

Are the GNM admissions available for foreign candidates?

Yes, candidates need to get the entry qualification equivalency that is class 12th by the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi. The institution in which the candidate is taking the admission and SNRC will be responsible for ensuring that the qualification and eligibility will be equivalent to what has been prescribed by the Council.

Is there any difference between the ANM and GNM admission processes?

For both the GNM and ANM admissions in the government institutes, candidates have to appear in the entrance examination conducted by the Nursing Examination Board. For private universities, the admission process varies according to the university norms.

Some colleges provide admission to the ANM courses on a merit basis, considering the class 12th marks, followed by a personal interview round. However, students can check the generic admission process below.

• Application Process: Submit an online/offline application through recognised nursing colleges or state directorates.

• Entrance Examination: Some states or institutes conduct entrance exams such as:

• 
  

  • Indian Nursing Council (INC) affiliated entrance tests

  • State-level nursing entrance exams (For example: Maharashtra, UP, Bihar, Tamil Nadu Nursing Entrance)

• Merit List and Counselling: Based on entrance exam score or 10+2 marks

• Document Verification and Admission

What are the career opportunities after ANM and GNM?

The career opportunities of both courses vary based on their level of education. The full form of ANM is Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery, which is a basic diploma programme. Candidates will be registered as R.ANM, and they can work in community health centres, maternity homes, government health missions, NGOs, and rural health programmes after completion.

GNM full form stands for General Nursing and Midwifery, which is an advanced diploma degree. Candidates in the GNM course are registered as R.N & R.M and they can work in government and private hospitals, military nursing services, research institutions, nursing homes, old-age care centres, and others after the completion of the course. Check the job roles and salary for GNM and ANM.

Scope of GNM and ANM: Job Roles and Salary Trends in India

(Salary Source: Ambition Box)

ANM and GNM: Which is Better?

Both the ANM and GNM courses are unique in their own way. However, GNM has better career prospects as compared to ANM because of the advanced diploma degree. Registered nurses are more in demand in both the public and private healthcare sectors. As the healthcare industry continuously grows, a plethora of opportunities await ANM and GNM graduates. Candidates can select either the ANM course or the GNM course based on their interest and financial status for their career in the nursing field.

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