First nurses granted with a Diploma in General Nursing outside the EU/EEA completing their qualifications at TAMK

The project manager, Johanna Kangaspunta from TAMK, says that the project is important, because by enhancing the competence of the students, they have the opportunity to address the nursing shortage in healthcare.

“It is crucial that educated and competent registered nurses are able to work in roles that match their competence. It is not appropriate to educate them as care assistants or practical nurses. It is also not beneficial for them to complete the entire degree again, as they already hold a nursing qualification”, Kangaspunta clarifies.

The education is tailored individually for each student. According to Kangaspunta, the complementary studies consist of common courses mandated by Valvira. Other studies are designed based on an assessment of the students’ competence, ensuring that the education includes at least one practical training. Teaching of Finnish language is also customised for each student. With a minimum entry level of A2.2 required at the application stage, the students are expected to achieve a B1 level by the end of the education, as specified by Valvira. The education is primarily conducted in Finnish, but English is used as a support language when necessary.

“Finnish language studies have been integrated into all teaching, simulations, workshops, and practical training to ensure that Finnish language proficiency develops to a sufficient professional level”, Kangaspunta says.

Internationality at the core of the project

Currently, the project includes students from Ukraine, Australia, the United States, Russia, Thailand, Uganda, Nepal, Kenya, Ghana, the Philippines, and Bulgaria. All students have completed a Diploma or Bachelor’s level nursing degree. Some students also have specialised studies and Master’s level studies. The students also have extensive work experience from various units, such as outpatient clinics, mental health units, intensive care units, and inpatient wards.

The first student to graduate from the education, Anka Levenova, says that at the beginning of the studies it was challenging to understand the difference of the healthcare system and institutions from what she was used to. Currently, Levenova works as an anaesthesia nurse at Kanta-Häme Central Hospital. She intends to continue working as an anaesthesia nurse because she finds her work inspiring.

Student Valeriia Fetisova says that she wanted to study nursing in her home country Ukraine because her mother was also a nurse. After arriving in Finland from Ukraine, she decided to continue her profession and applied for the education, as she saw it as a great opportunity.

“I chose this education because I want to work here in Finland now. I liked this education because there was a lot of practical training, and the teachers helped us to understand and navigate the Finnish work culture. The internship at Tampere University Hospital was also pleasant and beneficial experience. In the future, I want to work as an anaesthesia nurse”, Fetisova says.

The idea of the “Continuing Professional Education for nurses in General Nursing outside the EU/EEA“ project continues in national SAILA program, which has already started, and its purpose is to create a permanent model for the continuing education of nurses in universities of applied sciences. All universities of applied sciences in Finland are involved in the project.

The “Continuing Professional Education for nurses in General Nursing outside the EU/EEA“ project is running from 1st of August 2022 to 31st of December 2024. The project receives funding from The Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment.