# The legalisation pathway to work as a registered nurse in Finland - Savonia AMK

> Have you graduated as a nurse outside the EU/EEA but you do not yet have the right to work as a nurse in Finland granted by Valvira? The goal of this pathway is to enable you to work as a nurse in Finland.

## Program Overview
The legalisation pathway is individually designed based on your previous skills and Valvira’s requirements. Guidance, competence recognition, and education are free of charge for participants.

Through the legalisation pathway, you will acquire additional skills, for example:
* The social and healthcare system and legislation
* Clinical nursing
* Practical nursing through workplace training

In addition, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills in skills workshops and simulations while continuously studying the Finnish language.

## Eligibility and Requirements
This pathway is for you if you have a nursing diploma or a bachelor’s degree from outside the EU/EEA and you want to obtain the right to work as a nurse in Finland.

**To apply, you must:**
* Have a nursing diploma or a bachelor’s degree from outside the EU/EEA.
* Have at least an A2-level proficiency in Finnish.
* Be able to attend on-campus classes in Kuopio.

*Note: If there are more applicants than available spots, selection will be based on Finnish language proficiency and work experience in the social and healthcare sector.*

## Program Structure and Duration
* **Duration:** 6–12 months, depending on your individual study plan.
* **Format:** Blended learning (on-campus and online). On-campus classes may be held on weekdays a few times per month at the Kuopio campus (8 am to 4 pm). Some lessons are conducted via Zoom. There are no daily classes.
* **Internships:** You will complete 1–4 internships, each lasting 5 weeks. If you are employed, you may be able to complete some of the internships at your workplace as a paid internship.

## Costs
The education is free of charge. However, you must pay for:
* Translation of certificates
* Valvira’s processing fees
* Any necessary vaccinations
* The YKI Finnish language test (if required)

## Application Process
Applications are submitted through [Opintopolku](https://opintopolku.fi). The start date for the next program is not yet confirmed; please follow Savonia’s website and social media for updates.

**Required Attachments:**
* A copy of the diploma from nursing education (Diploma or Bachelor) completed outside the EU/EEA.
* A copy of the original transcript of records (Transcript of Records, Academic Transcript).
* Translations of the diploma and transcript of records into Finnish, Swedish, or English (must be done by an official or authorized translator).
* Diploma Supplement (if available).
* Diploma in Finnish (if you have completed a vocational qualification in Finnish).
* Proof of Finnish language proficiency (YKI certificate or government language test).
* Temporary work certificate from your current employment in the social and healthcare sector (if available).
* Passport or identification card.

## Contact Information
* **Project Coordinator Merja Natunen:** merja.natunen@savonia.fi, tel. +358 44 785 5623
* **Project Worker Kukka-Maaria Raatikainen:** kukka-maaria.raatikainen@savonia.fi

## Funding and Partners
* Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM)
* Center for Continuous Learning and Employment (JOTPA)

## Additional Information
* **National Coordination:** There are 20 universities of applied sciences across Finland. Metropolia coordinates the “Registered Nurse's pathway to work in Finland” projects. You may apply to the university of applied sciences closest to you.
* **Qualification training for nurses in Finland in 2023-24:** In the JOTPA-funded project, 21 continuing education students were selected in Savonia. The group is full. Online materials created during this training will be shared for open use in the Open Educational Materials Library (AOE) at the turn of the year 2024-25.