Guidelines for Starting Ph.D. in Nursing Program in the Universities approved by the Indian Nursing Council

Guidelines for Starting Ph.D. in Nursing Program in the Universities approved by the Indian Nursing Council

INDIAN NURSING COUNCIL

NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 6th November, 2020

F. No. 11-1/2019-INC.—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 16 of Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947 (XLVIII of 1947), as amended from time to time, the Indian Nursing Council hereby makes the following regulations namely:—

Short Title and Commencement.—

i. These Regulations may be called the Indian Nursing Council (Guidelines for Starting Ph.D. in Nursing Program in the Universities approved by the Council), Regulations, 2020.

ii. These Regulations shall come into force on the date of notification of the same in the Official Gazette of India.

Indian Nursing Council (Guidelines for Starting Ph.D. in Nursing Program in the Universities approved by the Council), Regulations, 2020

1. BACKGROUND

NHP 2017 recognizes the key role health research plays in the development of nation’s health. The policy aims to strengthen governance systems so that nurses can assume leadership position, improve regulation of practice and strengthen the quality of nursing education. Doctoral education in nursing will prepare more qualified nurses who can meet the country’s health and nursing care demand. Many universities in India are recognizing this need and plan to start Ph.D. Program in nursing. This necessitates uniform and standard curriculum and guidelines to run the program effectively and achieve the intended outcomes. Indian Nursing Council (Council for short) has prepared the Ph.D. curriculum and guidelines that will guide all universities who intend to start and promote doctoral education in nursing
in their respective Universities.

2. PHILOSOPHY

NHP 2017 emphasizes the need to prepare nurses to function in specialty and super-specialty areas of tertiary care institutions with the proposed expansion of tertiary care services alongside expansion of medical colleges and starting new AIIMS centres nationwide. There is an acute shortage of nursing faculty in undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programs in India. Doctoral education is essential to prepare nurse scholars to improve the quality of nursing education and practice in India.

Doctoral education builds upon and extends competence acquired at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, emphasizes theory development and research skills. The function of nurse scholars are to: assume leadership roles in complex healthcare and education systems, develop a theoretical and empirical base for nursing practice in both current and emerging health care systems, conduct nursing research and participate in developing healthcare policies. The entire thrust is on professional preparation in Nursing that could lead to evidence based practice for clinical effectiveness.

3. PURPOSE

Doctoral education is to prepare nurse scholars who will contribute both to the development and application of knowledge in nursing for enhancing quality of nursing education, research, practice and dissemination of nursing knowledge.

4. OBJECTIVES

The doctoral prepared nurse will be able to —

• Conduct research relevant to nursing.
• Develop nursing theories and nursing science
• Synthesize knowledge from nursing and other allied sciences to develop and test theory
• that affects health status.
• Demonstrate the leadership skills in nursing practice, education and research.
• Disseminate the results of theory development and research.

5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR UNIVERSITIES APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL TO START Ph.D. PROGRAM IN NURSING

The minimum criteria for a University to have approved Ph.D. degree program in Nursing is as follows:—

The University must be approved by the Council under Section 10 of INC Act, 1947. Deemed/Private University

• The University shall have minimum two guides (regular faculty) with Ph.D. qualification with relevant experience along with their research publications. (Refer page no. 3)

State Universities

Every College of Nursing having M.Sc. (Nursing) approved by the University to start Ph.D. in Nursing shall have minimum of two Ph.D. degree holders in nursing regular faculty.

6. RESEARCH GUIDE

• Guides can select two scholars only every year but not more than 6 scholars at any given period of time
•  Scholars can have co-guide from nursing or other disciplines if necessary
• The Ph.D. doctoral holders who are within health care disciplines can be appointed as co-guides.
• In Deemed University the guide should be from the same University
• In State University, the guide can be from any college within the same University

7. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH GUIDE

• Ph.D. degree in nursing with 5 years Post Graduate teaching experience with minimum 5 scientific publications in National/International Journals.
• Maximum age to be a guide shall be 65 years.
• Guide cannot have more than 6 candidates (including being Co-Guide) at any given point of time.
• Candidate can have Co-Guide from nursing or other discipline, if necessary.
• The Ph.D. doctorate holders who are not formal teachers can be appointed as Co-Guides.

8. RESEARCH SCHOLARS

• Full time research scholars are those who register for Ph.D. on full time basis and are not employed anywhere.
• Part time research scholars are those who are presently employed in any College/School/Hospital/ Institute/Nursing department within the University jurisdiction.
• The scholars can select the guide from the list of guides recognized by the respective University. (Annexure-VI)

9. (I) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RESEARCH SCHOLARS

Applications are invited from eligible scholars who have obtained:—

(a) M.Phil. (Nursing) or M.Sc. (Nursing) or a Post Graduate degree in Nursing recognized by Council with 3 years teaching or Clinical experience after M.Sc. (Nursing) for enrolment for Ph.D. in Nursing (part-time) under Faculty of Nursing in the respective University.

(b) The scholars should have passed M.Sc. (Nursing) with a minimum of 60% marks.

(c) Working in Teaching Institution/Hospital/Community Centre/Nursing Department within the University jurisdiction.

(II) Criteria for Selection

(a) Selection for the Ph.D. Program will be based on merit either by entrance or by M.Sc. (Nursing) (minimum 60% marks).
(b) If the University opts to conduct entrance examination then selection for the Ph.D. Program of the candidate will be based on

i. Entrance test marks obtained out of 90 marks. (Minimum weightage pass marks for entrance will be 60% of 90 i.e. 54).
ii. 5 marks for candidates possessing M.Phil. in Nursing.
iii. 5 marks weightage for publications.

10. RESERVATION IN ADMISSION: As per UGC guidelines.

11. DURATION:

Full time: Three years, maximum of 6 years.
Part time: Five years.

A candidate can register for Ph.D. course on part time basis.

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