KKN Gurugram Desk | In a landmark move to strengthen the state’s healthcare system, Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey has announced the recruitment of 22,089 nurses in various health departments across the state. The declaration was made on the occasion of International Nurses Day 2025, celebrated annually on May 12.

The announcement came during a formal ceremony held at Adhiveshan Bhavan Auditorium in Patna, where the minister also felicitated 114 outstanding nurses from various districts with the prestigious Bihar State Florence Nightingale Nursing Award 2025.

This dual celebration — of dedication and opportunity — marks a significant step toward improving healthcare infrastructure, nursing education, and employment generation in Bihar.

Breakdown of Recruitment: BTSC and Department Vacancies

According to the minister, the Bihar Technical Service Commission (BTSC) has already released advertisements for 11,389 Grade-A Nurse (GNM) positions, covering various public health facilities, district hospitals, and primary health centers.

Additionally, another 10,700 nurse appointments, previously completed but held up due to technical reasons, will now be finalized. Together, these two streams will account for 22,089 nursing hires, possibly making it the largest single-phase nursing recruitment drive in the state’s history.

Key Recruitment Details:

• Category: Grade-A Nurse (GNM)

• Total Vacancies: 22,089

• Recruiting Agency: Bihar Technical Service Commission (BTSC)

• Advertisement Status: Issued

• Pending Appointments to Be Resolved: 10,700

• New Applications to Begin: Shortly, as per BTSC notifications

This initiative is expected to significantly reduce the nurse-to-patient ratio, bringing Bihar closer to the WHO-prescribed standard of 1:300.

Recognizing Excellence: 114 Nurses Awarded

During the ceremony, 114 nurses from various districts were presented with the Bihar State Florence Nightingale Nursing Award 2025. These awards recognize nursing professionals who have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership, and dedication, especially in underserved regions.

 Key Highlights of the Awards:

• Recognizes state-level nursing excellence

• Celebrates service during COVID-19 and post-pandemic efforts

• Encourages young nursing professionals

• Promotes nursing as a career of honor and impact

Minister Pandey noted that many awardees had risked their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, working on the front lines and saving countless lives under dire conditions.

Theme of International Nurses Day 2025: “Our Nurses, Our Future”

International Nurses Day 2025 was themed “Our Nurses, Our Future”, aligning with global conversations around the economic, social, and healthcare impact of nurses.

Minister Pandey elaborated on the theme, emphasizing:

“Nurses don’t just provide patient care — they form the economic and emotional backbone of our health systems. We are committed to building nursing capacity in Bihar that aligns with global benchmarks.”

The government’s focus is now on professional development, education, and equitable placement of nurses across urban and rural regions.

Nursing Education in Bihar: A Vision for Reform

Minister Pandey reiterated that the state government is fully committed to reforming nursing education. He announced that under Mission Unnayan, Bihar aims to elevate nursing institutions to meet international standards, with new curriculum structures, digital training, and global partnerships.

Key Objectives Under Nursing Education Reforms:

• Upgrade GNM and B.Sc. Nursing colleges

• Introduce simulation-based learning

• Align courses with WHO standards

• Recruit qualified nursing faculty

• Launch online continuing education platforms

The minister said:

“We want to make Bihar a nursing education hub and build ‘Brand Bihar’ known for world-class nursing professionals.”

COVID-19 and the Role of Nurses: A Reminder of Their Value

Reflecting on the COVID-19 crisis, Minister Pandey highlighted how nurses stood as the first line of defense, delivering round-the-clock services, often at personal risk. He stated that the state owes a deep debt of gratitude to nurses who worked during lockdowns, managed isolation wards, administered vaccines, and supported millions emotionally and physically.

“Their resilience and dedication during the pandemic inspired this government to invest deeply in nursing capacity,” the minister said.

Healthcare as a Priority: CM Nitish Kumar’s Vision

The health minister emphasized that under the guidance of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Bihar government has prioritized public health workforce expansion, digital health transformation, and rural outreach.

He assured that recruitment processes across the health department will remain continuous, covering not just nurses but also doctors, paramedics, lab technicians, and community health workers.

Stakeholders Present at the Ceremony

The prestigious event saw the presence of key figures from the health ecosystem:

• Manoj Kumar, Principal Secretary, Health Department

• Dr. Aditya Prakash, Additional Secretary

• Suharsh Bhagat, Executive Director, State Health Society

• Senior nursing officials, educators, and policymakers

Their collective presence highlighted the government’s serious intent to overhaul and uplift the nursing ecosystem in the state.

Economic and Social Impact of Nursing Recruitment

Apart from health improvement, the mass hiring will provide:

• Stable employment to thousands of qualified women and men

• Socioeconomic upliftment in rural Bihar

• Boost to women’s participation in the state workforce

• Improved patient care outcomes in underserved areas

Bihar’s move is seen as part of a larger healthcare infrastructure upgrade plan, as the state prepares to address future public health emergencies with trained manpower and better facilities.

Expert Reactions: Positive Step Toward Sustainable Healthcare

Public health experts, including retired AIIMS faculty and WHO advisors, have lauded Bihar’s decision as:

• “Ambitious yet essential”

• “Aligned with India’s National Health Policy goals”

• “A major boost for Tier-2 and Tier-3 city healthcare coverage”

They stress that other states should follow suit by institutionalizing annual nursing recruitment drives, improving training institutes, and ensuring fair pay scales for nursing staff.

What’s Next? Application and Selection Process

The BTSC will release detailed notifications for new applicants and instructions for pending appointments soon. All eligible candidates are advised to:

• Visit the official BTSC website for updates

• Keep documentation and certificates ready

• Prepare for state-level entrance tests or merit-based selections as per norms

The hiring is expected to begin within the next few months, subject to final clearance from the Department of Health and the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) where applicable.

Bihar’s historic decision to recruit over 22,000 nurses is more than a hiring announcement — it’s a commitment to transform healthcare delivery, empower frontline workers, and honor those who serve selflessly.

As International Nurses Day 2025 reminds us:

“Our nurses are not just caregivers — they are the builders of a healthier future.”

With bold reforms, strategic recruitment, and genuine recognition, Bihar is taking firm steps toward becoming a national leader in nursing workforce development.