IGNOU launches 6-month certificate course for nurse managers to boost healthcare leadership skills

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched a certificate programme for nurse managers to strengthen managerial competencies in nursing services.

It is a six-month long open and distance learning (ODL) programme. The certificate course is designed for working professionals in hospitals, public health units, and nursing educational institutions who want to progress their career into managerial positions.

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IGNOU nurse manager course is being provided by its School of health sciences (SOHS). The job role of ‘nurse manager’ has been approved by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) with the National Qualification Register (NQR) Code QG-5.5-HE-03258-2024-V1-IGNOU.

IGNOU Nursing Certificate: Eligibility

For the nurse manager certificate course, eligible candidates must be in-service nurses, with a three-year general nursing and midwifery (GNM) degree. They must have at least three years of experience, and a valid Registered Nurse Registered Midwife (RNRM) certification.

Candidates who are in-service nurses with a four-year BSc nursing degree, with two years of experience, and valid RNRM registration, are also eligible for the IGNOU certificate course for nursing.

The nursing certificate course at IGNOU will be delivered in English. The programme fee is Rs 8,000 inclusive of extra registration and development charges, as applicable. The course is available at 13 Learner Support Centres (LSC), with each LSC having a maximum capacity of 50 students. In case the number of applications exceed available seats, admission will be provided on the basis of merit.

IGNOU Nurse Manager Course: Syllabus

The nursing certificate programme aims to equip learners with the following management skills, as per an official statement:

• Apply modern management principles in nursing service administration.
• Collaborate with ancillary departments for seamless hospital/clinical operations.
• Plan and supervise staff recruitment, training, and development.
• Manage resources efficiently within departments.
• Participate in accreditation, quality assurance, patient safety, and nursing audits.

As there is an increasing demand of National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH)-accredited healthcare providers, the role of a nurse manager demands planning and governance skills, which the IGNOU nursing certificate aims to provide.