Regulation of Nursing Profession with special reference to the State of Kerala

Abstract

Nursing is a vital profession in India s healthcare system, functioning at both public and hospital levels.India faces a critical shortage, worsened by large-scale migration. The profession is regulated by central and state legislation, alongside common law, yet several legal gaps persist. Issues include inconsistent definitions, unclear scope of practice, inadequate professional standards, and poor representation of nurses in regulatory bodies. This socio-legal study critically analyses these deficiencies, with an empirical focus on the State of Kerala, highlighting workplace challenges and the urgent need for uniform legal reforms and better social security measures for nurses. newline