Ideas for Developing Qualification Training for Nurses Educated Abroad from the Paths to Qualification for Foreign Nurses Seminar

The Paths to Qualification for Foreign Nurses seminar was held at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences on April 11, 2024. The seminar was organized in collaboration with projects funded by the Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment (JOTPA). Alongside the Continuing Professional Education for Nurses Granted with a Diploma in General Nursing outside the EU/EEA project, other JOTPA projects offering qualification training included the Qualification Training for Nurses project (Diaconia University of Applied Sciences) and the Path to Qualification for Healthcare Professionals project (Metropolia). The morning session of the seminar featured presentations related to qualification training from universities of applied sciences, the labor sector, and key authorities, such as the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), Valvira, and the Ministry of Education and Culture. The afternoon was reserved for collaborative workshops covering topics like supporting Finnish language learning, assessing competencies, and providing guidance during qualification training. This blog post provides a brief overview of the expert presentations.

The first presentation addressed the evaluation study of the TEAP project, which explored factors that facilitate or hinder entry into qualification training and the study process. The study was presented by Docent and Principal Lecturer Eija Metsälä from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Factors that promote entry into training and support the study process include participants' motivation to work in Finland, support from family, the importance of learning Finnish, and the fact that the training is free. Hindrances included accessibility of training, language-related challenges, access to information, reasons for leaving one’s home country, and experiences of discrimination and racism. The presentation emphasized the importance of making information about qualification training and qualification processes available, so that prospective students can make informed decisions even while still in their home countries.

Minna Lehikoinen, HR Specialist from the Social, Health, and Rescue Division of the City of Helsinki, shared insights from a working-life perspective. Lehikoinen described effective practices for integrating qualifying and foreign nurses into paid internships. In the qualification process, interns can engage in paid internships under a work contract, supervised by an assigned nurse, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the specific work environment. The employer’s goal is to retain qualifying nurses as permanent employees once they obtain their professional rights. Lehikoinen explained that this has proven to be an effective way to recruit new employees. However, she also highlighted the current shortage of internship placements and supervisors, which limits the number of qualifying nurses who can participate in paid internships. Lehikoinen emphasized the value of involving employers in the planning phase of qualification training programs.

The lack of internship placements was also noted by Counsellor of Education Kaisu Piiroinen from the Ministry of Education and Culture. Piiroinen explained that the number of international students in higher education has increased. The government aims to integrate qualification training models for nursing into the standard operations of universities of applied sciences. 

Jenni Kangas, Senior Inspector at Valvira, spoke about the current and future processes for nurse licensing. Although the number of licenses issued for foreign-trained nurses remains relatively small, it is growing. In 2021, licenses were granted to 48 foreign-trained nurses, and in 2023, to 61. The majority of nurse licensing applications received by Valvira come from the Philippines, Nepal, Turkey, and Russia. Kangas expressed her hope that strong collaboration will continue among stakeholders in developing the national licensing process for nurses. The goal is to establish a nationwide, permanent, and streamlined process for licensing nurses trained outside the EU/EEA to practice in Finland. The Nurse Licensing in Finland (SAILA) project, launched in spring 2024 across all 20 universities of applied sciences that offer nursing education, aims to address this objective.

Niina Glerean, Lecturer, Laurea University of Applied Sciences