Nursing & Midwifery
One of the highest-volume fields for Nepali students abroad — and one with a real, often-glossed-over recognition story on both ends of the journey.
0913 Nursing and midwifery
Share of Nepali outbound students studying nursing
Health-stream students must obtain a Medical Education Commission (MEC) pre-approval / eligibility letter before MoEST will issue the No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The MEC eligibility route for health courses generally requires sitting the Common Entrance Examination (CEE).
Without the MEC letter MoEST will not process the NOC, and without an NOC Nepali banks cannot legally remit tuition and the student visa is incomplete.
To practise nursing in Nepal you must hold a registration licence from the Nepal Nursing Council.
Registration requires passing the National Licensure Examination for Nurses (NLEN); midwifery graduates sit the NLEM, which adds a practical component.
Nurses who studied abroad must hold an equivalence certificate and have graduated from an institution recognised by the relevant nursing authority.
Nepali citizens who studied nursing abroad on or after 1 Oct 2020 must submit a Medical Education Commission Eligibility Letter with their NNC application.
NLEN pass standard: 50% aggregate (pass/fail)
NNC registration fee: NPR 1,200 (via eSewa)
Registration certificate validity: 6 years
- PCL Nursing (3-year diploma)
- BSc Nursing (4-year bachelor)
- Post-Basic BSc / postgraduate (MSc, MN)
Practising as a nurse abroad almost always requires registration with that country's nursing board — the degree alone is not enough.
NNC issues a Certificate of Good Standing / verification letter that foreign nursing boards require for international registration.
Nursing boards typically demand a higher English band (IELTS/OET) than general university entry.
Some licensing exams (e.g. NCLEX-RN via Pearson VUE) can be sat in Kathmandu without travelling abroad.
Australia
Large, established Nepali nursing community (especially Adelaide) and a clear if exam-gated registration route.
United Kingdom
Strong NHS demand and a recognised OSCE-based route for already-trained nurses.
USA
NCLEX-RN can be sat from Kathmandu; strong pay, but visa timelines add friction.
Canada
Provincial regulators assess via a national service; strong alignment with PR, multi-step process.
Can I practise nursing in Nepal after studying abroad?
Yes, but not automatically. You'll need an equivalence certificate, a Medical Education Commission eligibility letter (if you studied abroad on or after 1 Oct 2020), and you must pass the NLEN and register with the Nepal Nursing Council before you can work as a nurse.
Do I need government approval before going abroad to study nursing?
Yes. Nursing is a regulated health stream, so you need a Medical Education Commission pre-approval/eligibility letter (via the CEE) before MoEST will issue your No Objection Certificate — and without the NOC you can't legally remit tuition or complete your visa. Arrange this before committing money or a start date.
Do I have to register with a nursing board to work as a nurse abroad?
Almost always. A nursing degree on its own doesn't let you practise; the destination's nursing board registers you, usually requiring an English test, a credential assessment, and often a licensing exam. NNC's Certificate of Good Standing is typically part of that.