Under NRHM the contract Staff (Nurse) is appointed on a fixed salary of Rs, 4000/- per month.

The Government of Tamil Nadu plan to absorb them after two years of service at a salary of Rs.11 thousand per month. In the hope to absorb as a permanent, many joined even on a low salary. I.A. Directorate of Medical Education The Directorate of Medical Education, which is functioning since July 1966, plays a pivotal role in developing medical and para-medical personnel to cater to the health needs of the State. The prime responsibilities of the Directorate are as follows: 1. Development of Medical Education including Nursing 2. Administration of Medical Colleges and Teaching Hospitals including Nursing institutions 3. Effective Supervision of selection committee for admission to specified medical and nursing courses of study (details mentioned in Table 8). Out of the total 21 Nursing Schools and Colleges, 13 are under the control of DME and the 8 under the control of DMRHS and are being run by the Government. The department also has a role to play in establishment and maintenance of wellequipped teaching institutions, which are the premier referral centers with state of the art equipment and technology. Research is another area of activity for Medical Education Department. The Joint Director, Nursing is the Executive Officer and looking after the nursing issues under the Directorate of Medical Education (Figure 2). Tamil Nadu does not have a separate Nursing Division in the Directorate of Medical Education.
Assessment of Nursing Management Capacity in Tamil Nadu

24