Ph.D. Nursing: Admission 2025, Syllabus, Eligibility, Fees, Colleges, Careers

A Ph.D. in Nursing is the top academic degree with a duration of 3-5 years in the field of nursing, designed for candidates who want to advance nursing knowledge through research, leadership, and education. This program mainly focuses on developing expertise in scientific research, solid practice, and advanced philosophical ideas that will enhance healthcare systems and patient outcomes.

The eligibility criteria for the Ph.D in Nursing program require candidates to have passed with a Master’s Degree in Nursing or equivalent fields with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks from a recognized university. Candidates also need to appear for some entrance examinations to get into a specific college or university. Some entrance examinations are the UGC NET, etc.

The total course fees for the Ph.D in Nursing program depend on whether the college or university is a private or a government institution. Typically, the course fees for these programs range between INR 20,000 – 3,00,000. Some top colleges or universities that offer these programs are the Indira Gandhi National Open University, Chitkara University, PSG College of Nursing, SGT University, etc.

Candidates who have completed their Ph.D. in Nursing degrees could find a number of job options in India. Some job roles include Professor / Associate Professor, Public Health Consultant, Nursing Curriculum Developer, Senior Clinical Educator, Hospital Administrator, etc. They can also make a high salary, often ranging from INR 5-11 LPA or more, based on their skills and education.

Ph.D Nursing Key Highlights

Given below are some of the basic course highlights for the PhD in Nursing course:

What is a Ph.D. Nursing?

A Ph.D. in Nursing is the highest educational degree in the nursing field, with a duration of a three to five-year program, and it is mainly designed for professionals who want to advance nursing knowledge through research, education, and leadership.

This program recognises psychological studies, clinical evidence, and the making of ideas to enhance patient care as well as healthcare systems. It teaches healthcare professionals to become experts skilled in motivating policymakers, improving healthcare delivery, and addressing complicated nursing science issues.

Also, read PhD in Hospital Administration

Why Study a Ph.D. Nursing?

A Ph.D. in Nursing helps workers to improve their knowledge in research, leadership, and practice based on evidence. It equips nurses to be scholars, educators, and leaders who can shape the future of healthcare. There are various key reasons why one should study this program are as mentioned below:

• A PhD in Nursing includes complete guidance in research methodology, enabling graduates to develop, conduct, and interpret research investigations.
• The graduates have the skills to take on leadership roles in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, universities, and government organisations.
• The set of skills is required to solve healthcare problems, implement methods based on research, and contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
• They can help shape healthcare policy, create and implement innovative initiatives, and mentor future generations of nurses.

Who should study Ph.D. Nursing?

A Ph.D. in Nursing is suitable for nurses who are strongly interested in advancing the field of healthcare through research, education, and leadership. There are key reasons to consider who should pursue this degree are as provided below:

• The course of study teaches nurses how to conduct original research, assess data, and add to the body of knowledge in nursing.
• A PhD is usually necessary for teaching positions at nursing schools and universities.
• The curriculum teaches nurses leadership skills and prepares them to influence healthcare policy and practice.
• Individuals with a strong interest in critical thinking, problem-solving, and scholarly writing will particularly benefit from this program.

Ph.D Nursing Eligibility Criteria

The candidate must satisfy specific requirements if they want to be admitted to the Ph.D. in Nursing in India. The eligibility requirements for a Ph.D. in Nursing are provided below:

• Candidates must have passed with a Master’s Degree in Nursing or an equivalent field from a recognized university.
• A minimum aggregate of 55% marks in their Master’s Degree from a recognized university.
• Qualify for certain entrance examinations, such as the UGC NET, or a specific university entrance examination.

Ph.D. Nursing Entrance Exams 2025

To obtain a Ph.D. in Nursing in India, a candidate has to clear a number of national, state, and university-level entrance exams. The scores or rankings obtained on these exams determine admission to Indian schools and colleges. Some of the most demanding entrance exams for a Ph.D. in Nursing in India are given here:

Ph.D. Nursing Colleges in India

The admission criteria for a Ph.D. in Nursing differ in Indian colleges. Every indian colleges or universities have its admission process. The NIRF ranking, total tuition cost, and entrance examinations necessary for admission to some of India's appropriate Ph.D. in Nursing programs are listed here:

Ph.D. Nursing Admission Process 2025

Admission to the PhD in Nursing is based on the valid entrance exam scores, students need to have valid entrance exam scores. Given below is the step-by-step admission process for the IGNOU, New Delhi.

Step 1. First of all, you need to visit the official website of the IGNOU Ph.D Portal.

Step 2. Fill in the personal, academic, and educational details.

Step 3. Fill out the application form and submit it.

Step 4. After submission, you will receive a confirmation email and application receipt.

Step 5. All candidates appear for the UGC-NET exam.

Step 6. After selection, you are shortlisted for the counselling process.

Step 7. Kindly pay the course fees and attend the classes.

Required Documents:

• Master’s degree certificate and marksheet
• SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD certificate
• Passport-sized photo and signature
• Detailed Research Proposal

Ph.D. Nursing Syllabus

In India, all of the colleges that offer the Ph.D. in Nursing follow almost the same syllabus. Depending on the institute's syllabus may vary slightly. For reference, the syllabus for the Ph.D. in Nursing from the Chitkara University is mentioned below:

Ph.D. Nursing Job Opportunities in India

The following list contains some common jobs obtained with a Ph.D. in Nursing in India.

Ph.D Nursing FAQs