An Overview
The majority of freshly qualified nurses from existing institution in West Bengal are being absorbed into the govrnment sector and private corporate hospitals of the metro cities. Many are also migrating to foreign shores for lucarative opportunities. This has caused a severe shortage of nurses for hospitals operating in the rural hinterlands of the state. Nursing is the backbone of patient care, without which hospitals and doctors cannot fulfil their role. Presently the state is largely dependent on nurses migrating from other states, leading to shortages and lack of stable nursing staff.

Project Beneficiaries
• The Jangalmahal region of Paschim Medinipur and surrounding districts are forested areas with dependency on subsistence farming. Poverty is highly prevalent, affecting a vast section of the population, especially backward SC/ST sections. In such a scenario, young girls experience marginalization and lack of opportunities in education, higher studies and formal employment.
• St. Joseph's Nursing School aims to address this developmental challenge by providing young girls of the region access to high quality nursing training and employment generation leading to transformational impact in the area.

Direct Beneficiaries
Girls in the age bracket of 17-27 years as per regulatory norms
Year 1 - 60 girls
Year 2 - 90 girls
Year 3 onwards -180 girls per annum

Outcomes & Achievements
• The School has attained affiliation to the West Bengal Nursing Council for conducting 3 year GNM course (General Nursing and midwifery)
• 30 students have been admitted and undergoing training since November 2020. Due to pandemic restrictions, classed were held online.
• One block of the 3 winged building has been commissioned for the Nursing School with well-spaced classrooms, practical labs, computer centre and training hall
• Students enjoy the advantage of on-campus training at St Joseph's Hospital
• Four storied hostel building has been commissioned to accommodate 90 resident trainees with furnished dormitories, dining hall and homely facilities
• Intake increasing to 60 students from 2nd batch onwards

Future Plans and Infrastructural Enhancements
• Preparations underway to launch 4 year B.Sc in Nursing, affiliated to the Indian Nursing Council
• Civil works underway to for another 2 blocks to complete the building and accommodate the Nursing College for B.Sc course
• Augmentation of infrastructural facilities with expanded hostel capacity, auditorium and additional laboratories

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