Auxiliary nurse midwife or nurse hybrids commonly known as ANM, is a village-level female health worker in India who is known as the first contact person between the community and the health services. ANMs are regarded as the grass-roots workers in the health organisation pyramid. Their services are considered important to provide safe and effective care to village communities. The role may help communities achieve the targets of national health programmes.
ANM is a diploma-level program that provides basic nursing and midwifery training. It is a shorter course compared to BSc Nursing. On the other hand, BSc Nursing is an undergraduate degree program, and it offers a more comprehensive and in-depth education in nursing.
Diploma ANM Nursing promotes well being of patients and also assists doctors and dexterous surgeons in physicians in the implementation of medication. The ANM diploma holders may work in various healthcare settings, including maternity care and helping new mothers during pregnancy and post-maternity health care.
Candidates completing their ANM Degree can work as a Community Health Worker, Home Nurse, Health Visitor, Basic Health Worker & Rural Health Worker. GNM graduates can work as a Staff Nurse, Home Nurse, Health Visitor & Community Health Worker. ANM & GNM graduates have great scope not only in India but also abroad.
Students, those complete their ANM Degree can work as a Community Health Worker, Home Nurse, Health Visitor, Basic Health Worker & Rural Health Worker. GNM graduates can work as a Staff Nurse, Home Nurse, Health Visitor & Community Health Worker.
The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) is a community health worker. Depending on the area covered by the sub-centre, each ANM is supported by four or five ASHAs. ANMs are supposed to take weekly or fortnightly meeting with ASHAs to review work done the last week or fortnight. ANMs guides ASHAs on aspects of health care .
With the Anganwadi Worker (AWW), the ANM acts as a resource person for the training of ASHAs. The ANM motivates ASHAs to bring beneficiaries to the institution. The ASHA brings pregnant women to the ANM for check- ups. She also brings married couples to the ANM for counseling on the family planning. The ASHA brings children to immunisation sessions held by the ANM. The ASHA act as bridge between the ANM and the village.