Finland’s healthcare system is among the best in the world, and, in Finland, all of the care is provided by skilled, professional nurses who make things run smoothly. Nursing education in Finland is extremely important in helping the country meet its healthcare needs, from caring for an aging population, to some of the emerging 21st Century issues surrounding mental health and chronic diseases. Nurses are not only a healthcare provider, but also a problem-solver, advocate and innovator. Having a strong education system is crucial to develop nurses to meet these demands with confidence, knowledge and compassion.

But why should you focus on Finland?

The Finnish nursing education system is a diverse combination of high academic rigor, clinical practice and progressive thinking that is viewed as a model system by many other countries. Let’s look at what is happening now, what are the trends and where are we headed.

What is the Context?

Nursing education in Finland is mostly offered through universities of applied sciences (UAS), in which students complete a Bachelor’s degree in healthcare as a nurse. This degree normally takes 3.5 years (210 ECTS) to complete and includes a mixture of theoretical study and practice. The study progresses lifestyle from anatomy and pharmacology to ethics and paying attention to patients.  Upon their bachelor’s completion, nurses may pursue specializations in programs that are offered at the master’s level and in shorter post-graduate courses in the areas of intensive care, mental health, or public health. For nurses pursuing leadership or research roles, a doctorate can also be completed at a traditional university.

Finnish nursing education is characterized by the use of competency-based learning.  Competency-based learning is a learning method based on students being assessed on the acquisition and ability to apply knowledge.  An important component of this journey is that students will have substantial clinical placements in hospitals, clinics, and community health facility settings, allowing them to experience what life as a nurse will be like upon graduation.

What's Preventing It?

Even with its strengths, nursing education in Finland has some difficulties. A serious hardship is the shortage of nurses. Finland, like many nations, is experiencing the lack of enough nursing nurses to fit the labor market needs, despite efforts to recruit internationally. The shortage, and particularly the shortage of nurses in rural areas, puts pressure on the educators to produce graduates, regardless of the contribution toward quality.

Nursing education trends in Finland

Nursing education trends in Finland are about positioning themselves for the future. These are some of the major ones shaping nursing education now:

 Tech is the Future. (In a Good Way)

Technology is changing the way nurses are educated. Online learning platforms, digital case studies, e-health tools, etc.. now form a part of nursing education allowing students to practice skills as a telehealth consultation and electronic record keeping. The use of technology is particularly important to replicate since technology currently underpins so much of health care.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Interprofessional education is an area of increased attention in nursing education. Here, nursing students train with medical students as well as students in the fields of social work and physiotherapy learning how to work as part of teams. IPE increases communication and respect across professional disciplines ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.esources like futuristic simulation labs or to develop faculty.

A Focus on Patients

In Finnish nursing programs, there is a strong emphasis on patient-centered care. According to a presentation by Anna Tedz12, patient-centered care is being taught in Finnish nursing programs by encouraging efforts to see patients as unique individuals vs. diagnoses. Empathy, active listening, and cultural competence is firmly incorporated into programs so that nurses can connect with patients in a way to build trust and provide holistic care.

Innovative Nursing Education

Now to the fun stuff—innovative nursing education in Finland. Finnish educators are being very creative to make learning more engaging and more meaningful. For example:

 Simulation-Based Education

Simulation labs are incredible. These high-tech learning environments mimic real hospital settings including mannequins that can “breathe,” “bleed,” and even “talk.” Students are able to practice everything from inserting IVs to responding to emergencies, all in a safe place where they can learn from mistakes, and not from a potential life-threatening opportunity. Universities like Metropolia UAS in Helsinki have made big investments in simulation labs, with successful results—graduates enter the workforce confident and ready to go.

Virtual Reality (VR) Moves In

VR is shamelessly taking simulation to the next level. Picture putting on the headset and practicing a surgical assist or maneuvering through a busy ER. VR is legitimately giving students the opportunity to live these high-stakes experiences in and out of the classroom. All in good time, mind you. In fact, organizations like Tampere UAS in Finland are trying to capitalize on VR as a way to help nursing students learn complex procedures and think critically under pressure.

Gamification and Interactive Learning

Who says learning can’t be fun? Gamification has arrived: using game-like measures—quizzes, leaderboards, scenarios, etc.—to enhance nursing education. Applications and platforms are taking concepts like medication calculations and ethical dilemmas and turning them into interactive experiences. This method not only engages students, but it can also help them retain and recall information more readily. Using gamification also provides a way to deliver material to young learners who are used to interactive content delivered over an electronic device.

Future Directions for Nursing Education in Finland

What’s next for nursing education in Finland? There’s an optimistic outlook; we just need to get started. Here’s a brief summary:

 Addressing the Nursing Shortage

Part of the nursing shortage solution is for Finland to find more students for nursing programs. Finland is considering how to attract students into nursing programs through outreach to high schools, offering more study options (such as part-time and online options), and promoting nursing as a varied career. Finland is also beginning to consider ways to facilitate new pathways for internationally trained nurses into the Finnish workforce that might help ease the burden.

 Lifelong Learning

Continuing education is the logical choice. As healthcare changes, nurses need to be ready with updated knowledge and skills, so Finland is increasing opportunities for professional development. Short courses, certifications, and micro-credentials in topics such as digital health and gerontology are growing, which means nurses are able to gain skills and knowledge that enable them to develop their skills without enrolling in full degree programs.

 Going International

Global education and collaboration is another emerging direction. Finnish nursing programs are starting partnerships with institutions outside of Finland, which will lead to student exchanges, collaborative research, shared curriculum, and exposure to global healthcare perspectives, and importantly preparation for diverse patient populations. Programs like Erasmus + are already assisting in making these cross-border collaborations easier to facilitate.

Conclusion

The future of nursing education in Finland is bright from addressing shortages of nurses, embracing lifelong education, and supporting global collaborative learning experiences and networks for nursing students and educators. Whether you are a future nurse, an already established nurse, or just cheering along from the sidelines, it’s obvious Finland has a lot to teach the rest of the world about training healthcare heros.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the current challenges facing nursing education in Finland?

There is a limited capacity for clinical placements in nursing programs throughout Finland, which means that it is very difficult to provide enough clinical, real-world experience. There is the issue of language, with international students being more limited to English or Swedish placements. Admissions requirements also vary greatly from university to university. The rapid pace of change in healthcare means that nursing curricula are required to change more quickly than academic institutions can typically react or keep up.

Finnish universities are increasingly adopting simulation labs, virtual reality (VR), and even e-learning platforms with interactive content, to offer supplementary clinical hours to nursing students. These technologies provide students a relatively safe space to practice rare or very high-risk procedures. Digital technologies and online learning also provide support for self-directed learning, peer learning, and ongoing feedback throughout the learning process.

What are the future directions for nursing education in Finland?

In the future, I expect to see most nursing education in Finland begin to shift toward more interprofessional education, where nursing students learn alongside medical, social work and pharmacy students. More personalized learning paths and content for nursing students will be influenced by artificial intelligence. Lifelong education and specialization programs will assist nurses to prepare for their increased role in community health, elder care, and telehealth services.

Education providers are addressing the nursing shortage issue by providing flexibility, along with online programs for working professionals.