 Bihar.

Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, West Bengal,

and Uttar Pradesh (established throughout the 1980s and 1990s),
 The Most open and distance learning universities in India follow the model of the UK
Open University. They coordinate communication and collaboration through the Distance
Education Council (DEC), founded in 1992.
 DEC is responsible for the promotion, coordination, and the maintenance of quality and
standards. A range of factors including emerging lCTs, liberalization, privatization and
globalization have amplified the demand for open and distance learning.
 In India, P.B.B.Sc Nursing course which is offered by IGNOU through its INC
recognized study centers is the only course is recognized by INC with regard to distance
education course in Nursing in lndia.
Role of Distance Education Council: -
I. Lay down norms, guidelines and standards for offering various programmes of higher
education through distance education system.
II. Grant recognition to programmes of higher education offered through distance education
system within the country.
III. Act as a nodal authority for providing communication network, tools and technologies,
radiobroadcast, internet, satellite communication and the interactive technology relevant
for distance education.
Regulatory authority of Distance Education courses in Nursing:-
Indian Nursing Council and Distance Education Council are primary regulatory authorities to set
standards, recognition and monitoring the distance Education programmes in Nursing in India,.
NAME OF UNIVERSITIES IN INDIA OFFERING DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSE
FOR NURSING:
 Indira Gandhi Nation Open University
 Annamalai University
 Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University
 Vinayaka Missions University
 Nalanda Open University
 Tamilnadu Open University
  Netaji Subhas Open University
 Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University
 Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University
DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSE IN NURSING:-
Doctoral Degree
 Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD(N))
 Post Doctoral Certificate in Dialysis Medicine (PDCDM)
PG and Advance Diploma
 Post-Graduate Diploma in HIV Medicine (PGDHIVM)
 Post-Graduate Diploma in Hospital and Health Management (PGDHHM)
 Post-Graduate Diploma in Maternal and Child Health (PGDMCH )
 Post-Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine (PGDGM)
Bachelor's Degree
 B.Sc. Nursing (Post Basic)
Diploma
 Diploma in Nursing Administration (DNA)
 Diploma in Critical Care Nursing (DCCN)
Certificate
 Certificate in Newborn & Infant Nursing (CNIN)
 Certificate in Maternal and Child Health Nursing (CMCHN)
 Certificate in Home Based Health Care (CHBHC)

PROCESS FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION COURES:-

APPLICATION PROCESS:-
 Application process is easy, in which student can request application form from regional
center/university or post on payment of prescribed fees.
 Student can also download application form from website of regional center/university.
 Student filled application form along with attachment can be directly to university by
post or submitted in study centers along with fees.
DOUCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION ARE:-
 Attested copies of school/college living certificate and academic certificate as per
eligibility.
 Migration certificate in original.
  Passport size photograph dully attested.
 Dully filled-in-address slip along with self addressed envelopes.
 Admission fees(A/c Payee Demand draft)
 Permission letter from the employer(if employed)
 Special category certificate(if any)
METHODOLOGY:-
Under academic activities students are called for an induction meeting, during the
induction meeting student are provided with printed self instructional course material, Study
centers face to face contact session for the student for the getting academic guidance. During this
phase the student are required to work on the assignment and submit them to their tutors on the
dates given in the assignment submitted schedule. Assignment is evaluated by the tutors.
IMPOTANCE OF STUDY CENTERS:-
 The help in provide basic information about courses.
 They assist in admission process, providing forms, submitting forms, collection of fees.
 They help in providing study material to the student.
 Solve student’s quires related to examination and understanding of study material by
conducting personal contact classes.
 Some study centers are equipped to hold practical classes for subject requiring practical
study.
 They also help in getting final certificates from the university.
 In totality they function as a link between university and the student.
FACILITIES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED AT REGIONAL STUDY CENTERS:-
 Library course material.
 Video cassettes.
 Audio cassettes.
 Computers.
 Fax.
 TV/VCR etc.
CHALLENGES AND ISSUES IN DISTANCE EDUCATION IN NURSING:-
I. Socio-economical factors: There is huge divide between urban and rural area. Cost
related to use these technology advancements is still a challenge to marginally lower
socio economic learners. However, this issue is well taken care of by policy maker by
 establishing National Knowledge Network (NKN). Toll tree telephone numbers, e-
governance centers, National Informatics Centers (NIC), free laptop/tablets, mobile
application. Broad band connectivity to all villages etc.
II. Technological challenges:-In the era of scientific explosion, choosing a appropriate
method fitting to all learner need still be challenge to institution offer distance education
program. However,
III. Learner with disabilities:- It is not well addressed in the traditional and distance
education system. Use of technology and modalities to suit the all type of disabilities is
still a challenge. However, this can be solved by magnifying screen/monitors, Bralie
printer. Text-to-speech software, Translation software, modified key board and mobile
application.
IV. Language barrier.
V. Faculty workload.
VI. Attitude towards innovation and change: - Still people believe that traditional system
is the best and only system; such believes causes resistance to change and accept the
innovation, Lack of research related information is also the key for resistance and
acceptance of distance education.
VII. Gender issues: - Majority of nursing workforce is women, who traditionally shoulder
many responsibilities of family. They require multi tasking skill on successful
completion of distance education courses.
VIII. Recognition and accreditation:- Accreditation and recognition of distance education
courses are still remain as issue in India. There is lack of common understanding
between apex bodies and councils. Many state nursing council do not consider distance
education courses as recognized qualification. These cause hesitancy among nurses to
undergo distance education courses in lndia.

ROLE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION IN DEVELOPMENT OF NURSING:

Distance education can provide opportunity to:
 Those nurses who are working in remote areas and have no facilities of higher education.
 Those that is unable to join regular courses due to various reasons.
 Those that are already working and cannot duties by their institutions because of shortage
of nurses and other reasons.
  Those who feel that they cannot cope up with regular courses within specific time.

ADVANTAGES OF DISTANCE EDUCATION IN NURSING:

The demand for RNs is high and is expected to remain high. At the same time, the skills
required of nursing profession are becoming more advanced. Whether nursing on an RN to BSN
program, or making the transition from RN to MSN nurse practitioner.

 Lots of flexibility. With distance learning courses, students can complete their course
work from just about anywhere, provided there’s a computer and internet connection.
This allows students to work when and where it is more convenient for them without
having to squeeze in scheduled classes to an already busy life.
 No commuting. Taking a course online can be one way to cut down on costly gas or
public transportation. Since students can often work from home to complete their class
assignments, both time and money are saved in cutting out the trips to and from class.

 Numerous choices for schools. Even if you live in a community with few or no colleges
distance learning allows you to choose from a wide variety of schools to complete your
education. You may find online schools that specialize in your particular field or one that
can provide a great general education. Either way, your options for education will be
greatly expanded.

 Lowered costs. Prices for online courses are generally cheaper than their on-campus
counterparts and you won’t have to worry about commuting, moving or getting meal
plans on campus, some additional benefits to learning from home.

 Learn while working. As distance learning can usually be completed on your own
schedule, it is much easier to complete distance learning courses while working than
more traditional educational programs. Keeping your job gives you more income,
experience and stability while completing your degree giving you less to worry about and
more time to focus on your studies.

ROLE OF NURSE IN DISTANCE EDUCATION:-

In distance education, nurse may play important role to promote health care system, client care
via using as a source to distance education. For example:
 1. Dissemination of research finding: To change and making update in knowledge in field
of health care, Nurses may communicate their result of research to use a mode of
dissemination, to print like (Newspaper, journals) Media( WWW or video assisted
teaching).
2. Distance nurse educator: Nurse with highly competent skill may work as a distance
nurse educator. They may develop their own program to provide information, to students,
using information technologies. They can develop their own tools for evaluation and
comparing the results.
3. Promoting futuristic nursing: Nurses in the higher post and some responsibility or
represented their place, May also helpful to promote these aspects of education.
Collaborate with some of the Open University and may provide chances to nursing
students for continuing education.

THEORY/MODEL APPLICATION:
Distance education total depends on the process of communication Its material, learners
and program.
In the whole process of distance education the most relavant theory or model is the
Interpersonal model of communication.
Concept of interpersonal communication model:
Sender: Distance educator nurse or the program coordinator, authority of program, providing in
the course.
Receiver: All learners, staff nurses and people living in the community, who wish to join the
Distance Education program.
Message: Message of the distance education services program, content on which you want,
provide education to learners.
Referent: Mode of delivery of distance education like print, video, data, media.
Channel: What method you are using to provide distance, like teleconferencing, postal coaching
etc.
Interpersonal Variables: Which affects the process of distance education like learners
educational, marital, occupational and social status etc.
Environment: In the distance education, the physical and mental climate for studied depends on
the learner in the distance education.

 Journal of nursing, retrieved from-http//dx.doi.org/10.4236/0jn.2014.4302