Quality versus Quantity in Indian Nursing Education: An Ongoing Dilemma

Abstract

The rapid expansion of nursing education in India has been instrumental in addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals. However, this quantitative growth has raised serious concerns regarding the quality of nursing education and the clinical competence of graduates. India continues to face a significant nursing workforce shortage, with nurse-to-population ratios below global benchmarks and marked regional disparities [1–3]. This review synthesizes evidence from published literature, national workforce analyses, policy documents, and regulatory frameworks to examine the persistent imbalance between quantity and quality in Indian nursing education. Key challenges identified include curriculum relevance, theory–practice gap, faculty preparedness, infrastructural inadequacies, regulatory inconsistencies, and socio-professional factors [4–8]. The review highlights strategic implications for balancing expansion with excellence through strengthened accreditation, competency-based curricula, faculty development, infrastructure investment, and integrated workforce planning [1,9–12]. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure that the nursing workforce is not only sufficient in number but also capable of delivering safe, effective, and patient-centered care.