The Union Government is all set to usher in an innovative policy in medical education. The New Draft National Education Policy, announced recently by the central government, is expected to give a golden chance to the graduate nurses, ayush and dental practitioners to gain lateral entry into MBBS courses. This opportunity will be offered to those who have excelled in nursing, ayush and dental and allied courses.

Even though the policy is still in making and is getting suggestions from different quarters of medical fraternity and policy makers, if it sees the light of the day, it will give a significant boost to the nursing profession and improve the quality of nursing education and at the same time give more career opportunities to the nursing and other allied medical graduates.

The policy also mentions the need for creating professional development pathways for nurses with different levels of qualifications. Towards this end, Continuing Nurses Education (CNE) and renewal of license guidelines will be framed by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) for all nurses, included faculty in nursing education.