ANM vs GNM Key Differences, Careers, Salary & Scope

Last Updated on November 17, 2025 by admin

The nursing profession represents only one of the numerous careers available in the healthcare sector. For individuals who want to pursue nursing as their career, the ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) and GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) courses are the most popular options. While both are in the nursing field, there are differences in the structure of the curriculum, the career prospects, the salary, and the future scope.

This article aims to analyze and discuss the differences between ANM and GNM, their prospects in the healthcare sector and their salary expectations, to assist you in determining which nursing course best suits your goals and interests.

What is ANM?

ANM is an acronym for Auxiliary Nurse Midwife. It is a diploma-level nursing program geared towards training nursing professionals to provide fundamental nursing care and midwifery. This is a 2 year program which covers varying aspects of primary healthcare which entail: immunization, primary healthcare, and care for mothers and children. ANM nurses are more likely to be employed in rural areas, in public sector health centers and in various community health initiatives.

What are the Key Features of the ANM Course?

Duration: 2 years

Eligibility: 10+2 with a minimum of 40-50% in Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).

Commonly Offered Subjects: Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition, Microbiology, Community Health Nursing, Child Health Nursing.

Skills Offered: Vaccination, maternity care, child care, teaching health, administer basic health care.

Career Prospects: Healthcare Worker, Nursing Assistant, Community Health Worker, Health Educator.

What is GNM?

General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) is a 3 year diploma course that is more in-depth and equips nurses with skills needed to care for patients in a more advanced way. For this course, nursing skills that are taught are broader as they include: medical surgical nursing, midwifery, nursing administration, and much more. GNM nurses have the capacity to tackle more complex healthcare issues and are also able to assume supervisory positions in hospitals, health clinics and other health care institutions.

What are the Key Features of the GNM Course?

Duration: 3 years

Eligibility: 10+2 having atleast 45-50% in Science( Physics, Chemistry, Biology).

This individual’s specific area of studies includes Medical-Surgical Nursing, Midwifery, Child Health Nursing, Pharmacology, Nursing Management, and Clinical Practices.

The broad range of skills acquired encompasses advanced nursing techniques, patient care management, medical-surgical skills, and midwifery, as well as leadership in nursing.

Graduates have the following employment opportunities: Registered Nurse, Nurse Supervisor, Assistant Nursing Superintendent, Clinical Instructor, and Nurse Manager.

Differences Between ANM and GNM

While ANM and GNM are both nursing programs, they differ in several ways. Let’s break down the key differences:

Despite both being nurses programs, ANM and GNM differ in multiple areas, and here are the difference which we try to break and In the ANM, whose full name is Auxiliary Nurse Midwife, the average course is 2 years, as opposed to the GNM which is 2 years. In addition, the requirements to enter the GNM course is more strict, seeing as the 10 plus 2 science is required as well as 45 to 50 percent is required, as opposed to 40 to 50 for the ANM course.

Also the studies areas differ, as in the ANM, she studies more in the area of primary and maternal and child health, but in the GNM she studies more in general and medical surgical nursing and in nursing management. The course structure also differ as in the ANM, she learns more of the basics in nursing, community health and maternity care, but in the GNM she learns more of the advanced nursing techniques, clinical skills and more patient management.

Also career opportunities differ as in the ANM, she is able to get a job in primary health centers, community health, and rural health care as opposed to the GNM which includes being able to work in Hospital, clinics, health care management and even specialized nursing.

As for the salary, the ANM nurses get around 15,000 to 30,000 per month, while the GNM nurses get around 25,000 to 50,000 per month.

Career prospects for ANM and GNM Nurses

Career Paths available for ANM Nurses

ANM Nurses work in primary health care and community based health care services. Below are some career avenues for ANM graduates. The first is primary health care workers. Anm nurses as primary health care workers are very important to provide basic health care in rural and remote areas.

Community health worker: In government or NGO based health care projects, ANM nurses provide health care services to poor and underserved.

Nursing Assistant: Provide basic care and patient monitoring support to registered nurses in hospitals and clinics.

Career Options for GNM Nurses

Due to the level of skill and expertise attained during the training for GNM, nurses have a wider range of career options available to them. Here are some of the top career options available to GNM nurses:

Registered Nurse – Offers direct patient care, in hospitals, clinics, and private nursing homes.

Nursing Supervisor – Oversees and coordinates the work of the nursing personnel in a healthcare facility.

Clinical Instructor – Educates and supervises nursing learners in schools of nursing.

Midwife – Specializes in providing care during childbirth and in the postpartum period, in hospitals and maternity clinics.

Nursing Administrator/Manager – Responsible for the nursing division in a hospital and for the provision of nursing services.

Salary Expectations: ANM vs GNM

Salary is always a consideration and a major determinant for any career. Here is what is attainable in terms of salary for both ANM and GNM nurses.

ANM Salary

The salary range for ANM nurses is around ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 in a month, which is variable depending on experience, location, sector of the healthcare facility. Nurses in rural health and government health services are eligible for additional benefits and allowances.

General Nursing and Midwifery Salary

Because of the wide range of skills and the added responsibilities that come with the position, GNM nurses earn a higher sum, earning anything from 25,000 to 50,000 rupees. In metropolitan areas, nurses in private facilities and those in specialized positions, such as nurse managers and clinical instructors, tend to earn more.

For both ANM and GNM nurses, the salaries are also influenced by a combination of factors like experience, location, and sector which could be private or government.

Difference in ANM and GNM Scope in the Health Sector

Scope of ANM

Providing primary healthcare, maternal care, and community health education are the practices that ANM nurses mostly do. In primary health care lacking areas such as in deep rural areas, the need for ANM nurses is vital. ANM nurses are employed by government health schemes and rural health program projects.

Scope of GNM

GNM nurses with the more advanced training also have a significantly wider scope in the public and private sectors. They can take roles in critical care, surgery, midwifery, and nursing administration. Other than that, GNM nurses are also given the opportunity to focus and specialize in areas like ICU nursing, neonatal care, or emergency nursing which helps them in getting vast career growth.

Conclusions

While both ANM and GNM have excellent career prospects, they are aligned with different roles in the healthcare industry. ANM might be the right choice if you are interested in primary healthcare and have a desire to work in rural and community settings. Conversely, if you are looking for a wider scope of practice with more responsibilities and a desire for a supervisory position, then GNM would be the best option.

FAQs

1. Is it possible to go for higher studies after completing ANM/ GNM?

Yes, after completing ANM and GNM, you can do higher studies in nursing such as, B.Sc. Nursing, M.Sc. Nursing and also in other specialization courses like pediatrics, critical care, and midwifery.

2. In which field are career opportunities more, ANM or GNM?

While both have very good opportunities in terms of career, GNM generally has more opportunities because of more extensive training as well as high paying opportunities in hospitals and healthcare management.

3. How much does a ANM and GNM nurse earn?

The salary of ANM nurses is in the range of ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 and GNM nurses are in the range of ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 based on the experience and place of working.

4. How long is ANM and GNM course duration?

While ANM is a two-year course, GNM is a three-year course and provides a broader depth of training in nursing.

5. Do ANM nurses work in the private sector?

Yes, ANM nurses have the opportunity to work in the private sector, although their job responsibilities are primarily centered around basic nursing care and maternal nursing. In contrast, GNM nurses have a broader scope of nursing responsibilities.

6. What are the prospects of the future for ANM and GNM nurses?

There is great potential for both of these courses in the future. GNM nurses have opportunities for specialization, such as critical care nursing and nursing management. On the other hand, ANM nurses will continue to be needed in the areas of primary health care as well as in the community health nursing.