Project overview
Continuing Professional Education for nurses granted with a Diploma in General Nursing outside the EU/EEA project aims to facilitate opportunities for nurses from outside the EU and EEA to obtain the right to work in Finland and adapt to the Finnish work environment. In 2023, a total of 125 nurses were selected to participate in the project, enhancing their skills from 2023 to 2024. The project includes nurses with either a diploma or a Bachelor's degree.
Project content
- Information is collected on the skills assessment of nurses who have completed their education abroad and the most suitable methods for evaluation. The assessment considers the diploma, any additional education, work experience, and evidence of skills. Nurses have the opportunity to supplement their missing skills through training provided in the project.
- The learning of the Finnish language is promoted for nurses from outside the EU and EEA. The goal is to strengthen the oral and written Finnish language skills of participating nurses so that they can work as nurses in the Finnish social and healthcare system.
- Learning materials are produced as online courses for self-study in the Finnish language and the legislation, patient safety, and ethical principles of healthcare. Links to the training materials will be published in 2024.
- Guiding and supporting nurses from outside the EU and EEA in the application process for professional practice rights with Valvira.
- A recommendation is drafted to be utilized in the development of the national path for nursing qualification.
Project implementation:
The final webinar
The final webinar of the Diploma in General Nursing outside the EU/EEA project was held on December 12, 2024. The webinar presented the project's outcomes, best practices, and recommendations for further development. Additionally, participants heard about the experiences of nurses undergoing the qualification and supplementary training processes. The webinar was specifically designed for experts working with the nursing qualification process or guiding nurses trained outside the EU/EEA on their career paths.
Program:
- Welcome to the webinar – Opening remarks. Salla Seppänen, Director, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
- Goals of the Diploma in General Nursing outside the EU/EEA project and nurses in the qualification process. Lotta Tiikkainen, Project Manager, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
- Integrating Finnish language and clinical skills assessment. Kukka-Maaria Raatikainen, Savonia, & Sirpa Rajala and Mervi Rasilainen, Turku University of Applied Sciences
- Supplementing Finnish language and clinical skills. Kirsi Myllykangas and Hanna Poussu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences
- Information and guidance needs in the qualification process. Elina Räisänen, Nurse, Master's Degree Student in Advanced Clinical Nursing, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
- Workplace perspective: challenges, solutions, and future directions. Zeynep Niiranen, Specialist in Clinical Training, North Savo Wellbeing Services County
- Internships in qualification studies. Johanna Kangaspunta & Johanna Granlund, Tampere University of Applied Sciences
- Final discussion and closing remarks. Lotta Tiikkainen, Project Manager, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
The webinar recording is available until January 12, 2025, at the following link: Link to the Diploma in General Nursing outside the EU/EEA project webinar recording (in Finnish). Please note that the recording does not yet include subtitles. A subtitled version will be published later for permanent public access.
We have compiled the webinar presentation materials into a single file, which you can download here. The presentation materials are also available as attachments to the webinar recording.
Project publications
- MOOC sairaanhoitajaksi pätevöitymisen tukena.
Glerean, N. 2023. Laurea journal - Nopeasti sairaanhoitajaksi suomalaisille työmarkkinoille – nyt se on mahdollista! Raatikainen, K. & Koponen, L. 2023. Savonia.
- Oppimisanalytiikkaa terveysalan suomen oppijoiden verkkokursseilla. Raatikainen, K. 2024. Savonia.
- Laillistuvan sairaanhoitajan harjoittelut selkeällä kielellä. Raatikainen, K., Markoff, E. & Natunen, M. Savonia.
Map of the Universities of Applied Sciences offering the education
View Locations of Universities of Applied Sciences on the Map! Find the name, address, and website link of each university of applied sciences by clicking on the Nursing in Finland logos displayed on the map.
The training has been funded by the Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment. The Service Centre promotes the competence development of working-age people and the availability of skilled labour. The operations of the Service Centre are overseen by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.