If all goes as planned, nursing students trained in Allopathy could soon opt for a first-of-its-kind integrated Ayurveda nursing degree.

The proposal for the year-long add-on course is awaiting approval from the Nursing Council of India. The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), the apex institute of Ayurveda in the country, has prepared the course content.

The syllabus was prepared by top professionals in both allopathic and Ayurvedic fields and submitted for final approval by the Nursing Council after incorporating suggestions. This is a first-of-its-kind program that will be a breakthrough in integrative health care, AIIA Medical Superintendent Dr S Rajagopal was quoted as saying.

According to sources, the final approval is expected by the year-end and the course is to be started by the next academic year. Under the residency program, there will be hands-on training besides theory classes. The nursing graduates who have completed their allopathic training can apply for the course which will be initially started at AIIA. The national institute already has a Diploma Course in AYUSH Nursing & Pharmacy.

At present, the Indian Nursing Council doesn’t recognize the nurses trained in the Ayurvedic stream, which prevents them from working at the national or international level.