Keralam to establish Nursing University, increase nursing seats by 50%, announces CM Satheesan

Inaugurating the State Conference of the Kerala Government Nurses Union in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, the Chief Minister said the government was committed to making quality nursing education more accessible and affordable while ensuring that the proposed expansion would not compromise academic standards.

Satheesan pointed out that thousands of students from Keralam travel to other states every year to pursue nursing courses, often spending between ₹15 lakh and ₹20 lakh on their education. He said the situation highlighted the need to create more opportunities within the state so that aspiring nursing professionals could pursue their studies closer to home.

The proposed Nursing University is expected to provide a dedicated institutional framework for nursing education, with greater emphasis on academic excellence, professional training and the development of a skilled healthcare workforce. The government intends to expand the number of available seats by 50%, while maintaining the quality of teaching, clinical training and educational infrastructure.

The Chief Minister also announced that the government would review the existing regulatory framework governing nursing education. The review would focus on ensuring compliance with national educational standards while identifying ways to facilitate the establishment and expansion of nursing institutions.

Satheesan emphasised that increasing educational capacity should not come at the expense of quality. He said the government's approach would be to create additional opportunities while safeguarding the standards required to prepare competent nursing professionals.

The initiative assumes significance in a state where nursing has traditionally been an important professional choice for students, with a substantial number of trained nurses pursuing employment opportunities elsewhere in India and abroad.

By expanding nursing education within Keralam, the government aims to reduce dependence on institutions outside the state, ease the financial pressure on families and create a stronger foundation for meeting future healthcare requirements.

The Chief Minister said the larger objective was to strengthen Keralam's healthcare workforce while ensuring that quality medical and nursing services remained accessible to people across the state.

The proposed Nursing University and expansion of seats form part of the government's broader efforts to improve professional education and develop the human resources required for a modern healthcare system.