GNM is an acronym that stands for General Nursing and Midwifery. The term is most often associated with the GNM diploma awarded in India. In the United States, the degree is comparable to a CNM, or Certified Nurse Midwife. Individuals who have earned a GNM can go on to practice general nursing in Indian medical facilities. The salary of a GNM nurse largely depends on the hiring organization.

Duties

The GNM diploma is designed to provide a general nurse with a solid educational foundation to embark upon a nursing career or continue on to advanced study, indicates nursing education provider Padmashree. GNM nurses care for patients in hospitals, clinics and private medical institutions across the country. The duties may include cleaning and dressing wounds, administering medications and assisting surgeons during operations. A GNM nurse also has the training required to preside over the birth of babies and may provide postpartum care as well.

Education

Training for the GNM diploma typically takes a period of three to three and a half years, notes Indian nursing education provider, Pristine Institute of Nursing. Candidates must complete courses in physics, chemistry and biology in addition to basic courses in human behavior and psychology, surgical nursing and anatomy and physiology. Completion of each year of study culminates in a board exam that tests an applicant's knowledge and skills obtained during coursework.

Other Requirements

Candidates interested in enrollment for the GNM diploma are required to meet several prerequisites for admission. Applicants are typically female and must be between the ages of 17 and 35. In the past, interested individuals were also expected to be unmarried, but a 2007 Indian Nursing Council ruling now permits married applicants as well. Applicants must also be in good physical health and may be required to submit a certificate of medical fitness.

Salary Expectations

The salary of a GNM nurse in India varies greatly depending on the position, the locale and the experience of the nurse. GNM job listings on Indian job search sites, One India Jobs, Hyderabad-Jobs and Jobs India, show a salary range between 4,500 and 12,000 rupees per month for GNM nurses at the time of publication. This translates to between $100 and $269. In addition, many nursing positions in India come with additional benefits such as accommodations or meals.