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

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

 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

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

(a) A candidate should complete research work and submit the thesis to the University within five years from the date of provisional registration.

(b) Maximum period for submission of thesis will be Seven years from the date of provisional registration subject to the approval from the Board of Research Studies/Doctoral Studies on the recommendations of the guide. There will be no provision for further extension of the period.

Under extraordinary circumstances, affecting a student warranting extension of period for submission of thesis, the student should submit an application to the Registrar (Evaluation) through the guide who will refer the same to the Board of Research Studies/Doctoral Studies for its opinion, which will be submitted to the High Power Committee. The decision of the Vice Chancellor in the matter shall be final.

12. CALENDAR OF EVENTS

• Provisional registration – 1st July every year.

• Submission of half yearly progress report – 15th July every year/15th January every year.

• No two half yearly progress report should be submitted simultaneously.

• Conducting the Pre-Ph.D. examination after the approval of 1st  and 2nd  half yearly progress reports and completion of one year from the date of provisional registration.

• Exact date of the examination will be notified by the university.

• Confirmation of registration after successfully completing the Pre-Ph.D. examination.

• Submission of ethical clearance certificate within one year after provisional registration.

• Ethical clearance/permission from the Institution/Concerned Authorities should be obtained from where data is being collected.

• Submission of final synopsis of research work leading to Ph.D. degree after approval of all half yearly reports and on permission to submit the synopsis of Ph.D. registration committee.

• Submission of Ph.D. Thesis along with the application within 6 months after the approval of the final synopsis and permission to be sought by Ph.D. registration committee to submit the thesis.

• Final Viva-Voce examination after the acceptance and approval of Ph.D. thesis by the examiners (date to be notified by the University).

13. PROCEDURE FOR REGISTRATION

I. Selected Candidates applying for registration shall submit the duly filled Registration form through Head of the Research/Nursing department or College of Nursing within the stipulated time along with the prescribed fee. The candidate shall furnish the information detailed below:

• a) Qualification and details of previous study and research, if any, and full particulars of the publications to his/her credit in accredited journals. (attested copies to be furnished)

• b) Name and address of the recognized Guide/Co-Guide under whom the candidate proposes to carry out research.

• c) Name of the department and institution where the candidate proposes to work and to conduct research.

• d) Title and synopsis of the proposed research work.

II. Candidates in service shall forward application along with the consent of the guide with name, signature & seal and a No objection Certificate from the Head of the Department and Head of the Institution where the candidate is working. (Place of work) while submitting the application along with the documents mentioned under schedule for the candidates.

III. All applications received by the University before the stipulated time and date shall be placed before the Board of Research/Doctoral Studies. The Board/Committee shall examine the applications and after screening process shall recommend to the University for Provisional Registration within three months from the last date notified for the receipt of applications.

Provisional registration shall be effective from the date mentioned as the last date for payment of prescribed fees in the concerned specialty for the selected candidate.

IV. No candidate shall, without previous permission of the respective Board/Committee join any other course of study or appear for any other examination conducted by the University or by any other University during the period of registration.  Click here read more.