New Delhi: The Union Cabinethas given its consent tothe proposal ofincreasing the retirement age from 60 to 65 years for nursing teaching faculty with M.Sc. in Nursing in Central Government nursing institutions. However, according to an official press, this was subject to the condition that these nurses would continue to function as faculty members after the age of 60 years.
Ambika Soni, Information and Broadcasting Minister have said that the decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The decision would help in the prevention of exodus and retention of teachers in the Central Government nursing institutions, thereby providing quality health care facilities. Presently, there is an acute shortage of nursing teachers with post-graduate degree in nursing in the country. In addition, a large number of posts of teachers with M.Sc. (Nursing) are lying vacant in the Central Government nursing institutions.
Furthermore, the press release also mentioned that the National Commission on Macroeconomics of Health has estimated a wide gap in demand and supply of nurses in the near future. The Commission has recommended opening of new nursing colleges and schools and upgradation of existing schools/colleges. To meet this growing demand of nurses, Eleventh Five Year Plan envisages opening of several new nursing colleges.
