Finland is an attractive destination for migration for various individuals who can immigrate there for education or work purposes. Finland is facing an aging population and will have an increasing demand for nurses in the coming years. The government has considered numerous job opportunities for nursing in Finland and requires this workforce in various healthcare institutions. If you are active in this field, join us in this article to explore nursing jobs in Finland.
Everything about Nursing Jobs in Finland
Finding a job in Finland as a nurse is not difficult. There are various job opportunities in elderly care centers, hospitals, clinics, and more, where you can apply. However, keep in mind that successful employment typically requires language proficiency, experience, and sufficient expertise. Nursing salaries in Finland will vary depending on an individual’s qualifications and the work environment.
For example, a nurse with a minimum of 5 years of work experience and relevant education in the field can earn approximately 4,000 to 5,000 euros per month. Nurses in public institutions may earn less than those in private institutions. Nurses in Finland receive education at universities and undergo specific courses, allowing a Finnish nurse to have the necessary knowledge for various fields or to work in one of the following specialties:
- General Nursing
- School or Clinic Nursing
- Midwifery
- Emergency Nursing (in ambulances, emergency departments, or intensive care units)
A positive aspect of nursing in Finland is that job opportunities exist in both small and large cities, allowing you to choose a suitable destination based on your preferences.
As a nurse, you will have various responsibilities, including:
- Patient information documentation
- Proficiency in English and Finnish (Swedish can also be useful)
- Maintaining professional ethics when dealing with patients
- Respecting patients’ rights
- Recording relevant birth or death reports
- Preparing patient insurance documents
Equivalency of Nursing Degrees and the Importance of Proficiency in the Finnish Language
Individuals who want to start working as nurses in Finland need to begin the process of degree equivalency. To do this, you will need a document demonstrating your proficiency in the Finnish or Swedish language at an acceptable level. During the equivalency process, applicants are usually required to pass a language skills test. At a minimum, you should have intermediate-level proficiency to demonstrate your ability to communicate with patients and colleagues. Following that, you will be asked to attend courses as part of the equivalency process.
If you’re interested in university-level courses, some Finnish universities offer specialized nursing courses to help you enhance your skills alongside other international applicants. During the equivalency process, practical courses may include:
- Intravenous injections
- Assisting physicians during surgery
- Plastering
- Post-operative bandaging
- Blood pressure measurement
- Blood sample collection for analysis
Overall, pursuing a nursing career in Finland can be a rewarding opportunity, but it does require dedication, language proficiency, and a commitment to meeting the necessary qualifications.
Documents Required for Employment as a Nurse in Finland
To work in Finland, you must obtain a residence permit with the right to work, which allows you to stay in Finland. To obtain a work permit, you need to follow these steps:
- Find an employer in Finland (through the internet, through an intermediary company, through advertisements in newspapers or on television).
- Negotiate for employment and receive a job offer from the employer.
- Fill out the necessary documents (forms, applications, etc.) to obtain a residence permit.
- Pay the required fees.
- Wait for the decision.
The documents and conditions you need for working as a nurse in Finland include:
- You must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
- Valid passport and identification documents.
- Provide a certificate of not having tuberculosis (TB) and no criminal record.
- Have a place of residence for your stay in Finland.
- Provide health insurance.
Nursing Salaries in Finland
As mentioned, nursing salaries in Finland vary based on work experience and expertise. However, in general, they receive lower salaries compared to some other advanced countries. For example, the average nursing salary in France is around 4,150 euros, while in Finland, it’s reduced to approximately 3,613 euros. Nursing salaries in Finland are calculated based on the level of experience as follows:
- Nurses with less than two years of experience can expect to earn around 25,720 euros annually.
- With two to five years of experience, nursing salaries increase to 35,500 euros on average.
- Nurses with five to ten years of experience in the field have an average salary of 45,580 euros.
- If you have more than ten years of experience as a nurse, the expected average salary rises to 50,180 euros.
- A nurse with 15 to 20 years of experience can earn an average of 57,800 euros.
- For a nurse with over 20 years of experience, the expected average salary increases to 60,920 euros.
Nursing Work Hours in Finland
Since Finland is a part of the European Union, working hours are determined based on EU regulations. In EU member countries, working hours should not exceed 48 hours. Due to the need for nurses in shifts, some variations in shifts may occur. As a nurse, you will work in rotating shifts, including morning, evening, and night shifts, but the total hours will be predefined. The main nursing shifts in Finland are as follows:
- Morning Shift: The morning shift for nurses in Finland starts at 6 AM and ends before 9 PM.
- Evening Shift: If you are on the evening shift, your working hours will typically be from 2 PM to 6 PM.
- Night Shift: The night shift usually begins at 11 PM.
Some morning shifts in hospitals can start as early as 3 AM and last for 9 hours. Longer shifts exceeding 12 hours may also occur at times.
Required Permits for nursing jobs in Finland
Having just an educational qualification is not enough to start working as a nurse in Finland. Individuals who want to begin their nursing career in Finland must obtain a certificate from Valvira (National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health). This certificate allows them to work in the healthcare sector in Finland. Valvira assesses whether the education provided to you in your home country is in line with Finnish education standards.
Work experience and qualifications are considered in this comparison, and any differences in education between the two countries will be identified. If any differences are found, Valvira will require the applicant to attend additional courses. The duration of the course for handling applications related to individuals who have completed their education outside the European Union is a minimum of 4 months. If you have completed your education in Finland, this period is reduced to 1 month.
Is it possible to obtain permanent residency through nursing in Finland?
When you apply for the recognition of your nursing degree, you will be granted a temporary residence permit to proceed with the other steps. If you later realize that you are interested in living in this country after working in Finland, you will be able to apply for permanent residency under certain conditions. To apply for permanent residency in Finland, you must:
Have a steady monthly income.
Have paid taxes in full for all four years.
Provide documentation indicating that you have a place for residence and rent.
Comply with all the laws of the country during your stay in Finland.
Provide evidence of proficiency in the Swedish or Finnish language.
After obtaining permanent residency, if you wish to acquire Finnish citizenship, you must wait for at least 2 years until the total years of permanent residence and work permit reach 6 years. We will be with you throughout the application process and Finnish language education. For more information about different nursing courses in Finland, you can visit this link.
If you need advice on immigrating to Finland, you can speak with our experts at the FinlandQ group and get the necessary guidance.
