‫اہریئاوجینشیکنشیمک‬ Sector H-9

Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone : +92-51-90802111
Fax : +92-21-90402102
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION www.hec.gov.pk
hkasi@hec.gov.pk
Government of Pakistan, Islamabad

Office of the No. HEC/CURR/NURSING/2022/2754

Deputy Director (Curriculum) April 18, 2022

SUBJECT: POLICY GUIDELINES FOR NURSING EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN

Development of curriculum standards and its review at undergraduate and graduate level is one of the
major ongoing activities at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. In order to review
educational pathways for nursing degree programs, a series of consultative meetings of National
Curriculum Review Committee (NCRC) in collaboration with Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) were held in
the year 2021-22. Subsequently, following recommendations along-with the roadmap are approved for
implementation by all universities/Degree Awarding Institutions (DAIs) imparting Nursing Education:

1. The eligibility criteria for admission in four-year BS Nursing (BSN) shall be HSSC/equivalent (12
years of schooling) in pre-medical group with minimum 50% marks. Admission in erstwhile three-
year nursing diploma offered after SSC/equivalent (10 years of schooling) has already been
stopped with effect from 31.12.2018.
2. As per recommendation of the respective National Curriculum Review Committee, the nursing
graduates having qualified three-year nursing diploma, one year midwifery / specialization diploma
and two-year Post-RN BSN / Post-RN BSM qualification are allowed equivalence of 16 years of
education, irrespective of the sequence of qualification. Such equivalence is subject to passing of
three compulsory subjects (I) Pakistan Studies (II) Islamic Studies / Ethics (for non-Muslims) and
(III) English at erstwhile two-year conventional BA/BSc level or Post-RN level or offered separately
by institutions at par with 14 years of education (NQF level 5) or 16 years of education (NQF level
6). Separate transcripts issued by institutions for passing of above-mentioned compulsory subjects
shall also be accepted by HEC for the purpose.
3. Also, one-time waiver is granted for equivalence of 18 years of education in cases where nursing
graduates completed one year midwifery / specialization diploma after MS Nursing (MSN) degree
program. The requirement of passing aforementioned three compulsory subjects at 14 years of
education (NQF level 5) or 16 years of education (NQF level 6) shall remain the same.
4. Furthermore, students having qualified three-year nursing diploma and one year midwifery /
specialization diploma are allowed equivalence of 14 years of education, irrespective of the
sequence subject to passing of aforementioned three compulsory subjects at 14 years of education
(NQF level 5). Separate transcripts issued by institutions for passing these subjects shall also be
accepted by HEC for the purpose.

Page 1 of 2
 ‫اہریئاوجینشیکنشیمک‬ Sector H-9
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone : +92-51-90802111
Fax : +92-21-90402102
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION www.hec.gov.pk
hkasi@hec.gov.pk
Government of Pakistan, Islamabad

Office of the No. HEC/CURR/NURSING/2022/2754

Deputy Director (Curriculum) April 18, 2022

5. To provide opportunity of further education to nursing diploma holders and to address shortage
of nursing faculty in the country, student intake in Post-RN BSN / Post-RN BSM is allowed till
31.12.2026.
6. As per HEC policy, at least two (02) PhD qualified faculty members specialized in the relevant field
are required for launch of MS/MPhil/equivalent (NQF level 7) degree programs. Considering the
limited number of PhD faculty in the field of Nursing, the National Curriculum Review Committee
has recommended the minimum requirement of two (02) MSN qualified faculty members having
at least five (05) years of professional experience for launch of MSN programs. No Objection
Certificate (NOC) from Quality Assurance Division (QAD) of HEC shall be required in this regard.
7. Similarly, the National Curriculum Review Committee has recommended the minimum
requirement of ten (10) BSN / Post-RN BSN / Post-RN BSM qualified faculty members with at least
five (05) years of professional experience and one (01) MSN qualified faculty member in the
department to initiate a BSN degree program.
8. The provision for minimum required faculty as mentioned at Sr. No. 6 & 7 are allowed till
31.12.2026.

HIDAYATULLAH KASI

Vice Chancellors / Rectors / Heads

All Public / Private Sector Universities / DAIs

Copy for information to:

i. Registrar, Pakistan Nursing Council, Islamabad
ii. ES to Executive Director, Higher Education Commission, Islamabad
iii. APS to Advisor (Administration & Coordination) Higher Education Commission, Islamabad
iv. APS to Advisor (Academics & Accreditation) Higher Education Commission, Islamabad
v. APS to DG (Quality Assurance Agency), Higher Education Commission, Islamabad
vi. APS to DG (Quality Assurance Division), Higher Education Commission, Islamabad
vii. Director (Student Affairs Division), Higher Education Commission, Islamabad
viii. Director (Curriculum Division), Higher Education Commission, Islamabad
ix. In-Charge HEC Regional Centers (Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, Quetta)

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 NURSING EDUCATION ROADMAP
Previous Pathway New Pathway

NQF Level 3
Matric
(10 years qualification)

NQF Level 4 Intermediate

(12 years qualification) (Pre-Medical)

NQF Level 5 03 Y Nursing1 + 01 Y Midwifery or

(14 years qualification) Specialization Diploma
(Phased-out in 2018)

NQF Level 6 Post RN BSN/BSM2 BS Nursing

(16 years qualification) (Last intake 2026)

Min 39 Cr Hrs Min 39 Cr Hrs

2-4 years 2-4 years

NQF Level 7
(18 years qualification) MSN3

Min 24 Cr Hrs + Thesis Min 48 Cr Hrs + Thesis

NQF Level 8
(18+ years qualification)
PhD Nursing4

1. Three (03) Years Nursing Diploma after Matric is phased out with effect from 31-12-2018. As per the revised policy, students having
HSSC/equivalent (12 years of education) in Pre-Medical Group with minimum 50% marks are eligible to apply for admission in BS Nursing
(BSN) program.
2. As per recommendation of the respective National Curriculum Review Committee, the nursing graduates having qualified three-year
nursing diploma, one year midwifery / specialization diploma and two-year Post-RN BSN / Post-RN BSM qualification are allowed
equivalence for 16 years of education, irrespective of the sequence of qualification. The same is subject to passing of three compulsory
subjects (I) Pakistan Studies (II) Islamic Studies / Ethics (for non-Muslims) and (III) English at erstwhile two-year conventional BA/BSc level
or Post-RN level or offered separately by institutions at par with 14 years of education (NQF level 5) or 16 years of education (NQF level
6).
3. As per recommendation of the respective National Curriculum Review Committee, an MSN program shall comprise of a minimum of 39
credit hours including thesis.
4. PhD policy guidelines 2021 shall be applicable for PhD Nursing.

HIDAYATULLAH KASI
Deputy Director (Curriculum)
Dated: April 18, 2022 Higher Education Commission, Islamabad