Language skills are the key to securing jobs for nurses abroad, says the minister

Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil is launching an awareness program on online services of the Karnataka State Nursing Council in Kalaburagi on Saturday. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Language skills are essential for Indian nurses and mid-career graduates seeking job opportunities abroad, particularly in countries such as Germany, Japan, Italy and the United States, said Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil.

He was speaking after launching an information program on online services of the Karnataka State Nursing Council (KSNC) here on Saturday.

Dr. Patil said Indian nursing professionals are in high demand overseas and can secure well-paying jobs by acquiring knowledge of English as well as the languages ​​of their potential destination countries.

He said language is often the single main barrier preventing nursing graduates from being employed abroad and urged students to develop the necessary communication skills.

Dr. Patil said the government has taken steps to make registration and renewal services of nursing services completely online to ensure transparency and convenience. Earlier, nursing students and professionals had to travel to Bengaluru and wait in long queues to complete the registration formalities. The new system would allow them to access services from their homes, he said.

Asserting that Karnataka is among the leading states in medical and non-medical education, he said the state has the highest number of medical colleges and more than 15,000 MBBS and postgraduate seats. The government was taking measures to maintain quality along with expanding educational opportunities.

Published – 31 Oct 2026 22:50 IST