Finland is a Nordic country with a high standard of living, a strong social welfare system, and a reputation for being one of the happiest and safest places in the world. It is also home to a well-developed and efficient healthcare system, which offers a variety of opportunities for nurses from different backgrounds and specialties. If you are a foreign nurse who wants to work in Finland, you may be wondering what are the requirements, procedures, and challenges involved. In this article, we will guide you through the steps and tips on how to become a nurse in Finland with a foreign nursing degree, and how to do it without taking the IELTS exam.
Step 1: Get your nursing degree recognized by Valvira
The first and most important step to working as a nurse in Finland is to get your nursing degree recognized by the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira), which is the official body that regulates and licenses healthcare professionals in Finland. Valvira will evaluate your education, training, and qualifications, and determine whether they are equivalent to the Finnish standards and requirements. To apply for recognition, you will need to submit the following documents to Valvira:
A completed application form, which you can download from Valvira’s website.
1. A copy of your passport or identity card.
2. A copy of your nursing diploma and transcript, translated into Finnish, Swedish, or English by an authorized translator.
3. A certificate of current professional status from the competent authority in your country of origin, stating that you are authorized to practice as a nurse and that you have no disciplinary or criminal sanctions against you.
4. A certificate of work experience, stating the duration, type, and content of your nursing practice, translated into Finnish, Swedish, or English by an authorized translator.
5. A certificate of language proficiency, proving that you have sufficient skills in Finnish or Swedish, which are the official languages of Finland.
6. The processing time for recognition applications varies depending on the case, but it can take up to six months or longer. The recognition fee is 380 euros, which you will have to pay after Valvira has decided on your application. You can check the status of your application online.
Step 2: Prove your language proficiency in Finnish or Swedish
As mentioned above, one of the requirements for recognition by Valvira is to prove your language proficiency in Finnish or Swedish, which are the official languages of Finland. This is because you will need to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and authorities in your daily work as a nurse in Finland. The minimum level of language proficiency required by Valvira is B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You can prove your language proficiency by taking one of the following tests:
1. The National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI), is a general language test that assesses your skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. You can choose to take the test in Finnish or Swedish, and you will need to score at least level 3 in each skill. The test is offered four times a year, and the fee is 126 euros. You can register for the test online.
2. The Finnish Language Proficiency Test for Healthcare Professionals (Terveydenhuollon kielitutkinto), is a specific language test that assesses your skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking in a healthcare context. You can only take the test in Finnish, and you will need to score at least level 3 in each skill. The test is offered twice a year, and the fee is 200 euros. You can register for the test online.
3. The Swedish Language Proficiency Test for Healthcare Professionals (Svenska språkprovet för vårdpersonal), which is a specific language test that assesses your skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking in a healthcare context. You can only take the test in Swedish, and you will need to score at least level 3 in each skill. The test is offered twice a year, and the fee is 200 euros. You can register for the test online.
4. If you have already taken one of these tests before applying for recognition by Valvira, you can submit your test result as part of your application. If you have not taken any of these tests yet, you will have to take one within two years after Valvira has granted you the right to practice as a nurse in Finland. If you fail to do so, your right to practice will be revoked.
Step 3: Apply for a residence permit and a personal identity code
Once you have obtained the recognition and the right to practice as a nurse in Finland from Valvira, you will need to apply for a residence permit and a personal identity code, which are necessary for living and working in Finland legally. The type of residence permit you will need depends on your nationality and the duration of your stay. If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you can enter Finland without a visa and stay for up to three months. However, if you intend to stay longer than three months, you will need to register your right of residence at the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) within three months of your arrival. You will need to provide the following documents:
1. A valid passport or identity card.
2. A certificate of employment or a contract of employment from your employer in Finland, stating the duration, salary, and working hours of your job.
3. A certificate of health insurance, covering your medical expenses in Finland.
4. A certificate of recognition and the right to practice as a nurse in Finland from Valvira.
5. The fee for registering your right of residence is 54 euros, and the processing time is usually one month. You can apply online or in person at a Migri service point.
If you are a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you will need to apply for a residence permit before entering Finland. You will need to apply for a residence permit for an employed person (TTOL), which allows you to work as a nurse in Finland for up to four years. You will need to provide the following documents:
1. A valid passport.
2. A certificate of employment or a contract of employment from your employer in Finland, stating the duration, salary, and working hours of your job.
3. A certificate of health insurance, covering your medical expenses in Finland.
4. A certificate of recognition and the right to practice as a nurse in Finland from Valvira.
5. A certificate of language proficiency in Finnish or Swedish, if you have already taken one of the tests mentioned above.
The fee for applying for a residence permit for an employed person is 520 euros, and the processing time is usually four months. You can apply online or in person at a Finnish embassy or consulate in your country of origin.
In addition to applying for a residence permit, you will also need to apply for a personal identity code, which is a unique number that identifies you in the Finnish population register and enables you to access various public services and benefits in Finland. You can apply for a personal identity code at the same time as you apply for a residence permit, or separately at a local register office (maistraatti) after you arrive in Finland. You will need to provide the following documents:
1. A valid passport or identity card.
2. A residence permit card or a certificate of registration of your right of residence.
3. A certificate of recognition and the right to practice as a nurse in Finland from Valvira.
There is no fee for applying for a personal identity code, and the processing time is usually one week. You can find the nearest local register office online.
Language Requirements
Another important requirement to work in Finland as a nurse with a foreign nursing degree is to have a good command of Finnish or Swedish, the official language of Finland. You will need to prove your language skills by taking a language test and achieving a level B1.3 or higher, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The language tests that are accepted by Valvira are:
1. The National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI), which is administered by the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI).
2. The Finnish Language Proficiency Test for Healthcare Professionals (TERO), which is administered by the Finnish Association of Nurses (SuPer).
3. The Swedish Language Proficiency Test for Healthcare Professionals (SVEA), which is administered by the Swedish Association of Health Professionals (Vårdförbundet).
4. You can register for these tests online and pay the registration fee, which varies depending on the test and the level. The tests are usually held four times a year, and you will receive the results within two months. You will need to submit the certificate of your language test to Valvira as part of your application for the right to practice as a nurse in Finland.
Salary
The salary of nurses in Finland depends on several factors, such as the collective agreement, the employer, the location, the experience, and the specialization. According to Salary Explorer, the average salary of nurses in Finland is 4,530 euros per month, as of November 2023. However, this figure can vary significantly, depending on the type of nursing profession. For example, the average salary of an acute care nurse is 4,040 euros per month, while the average salary of an assistant director of nursing is 6,500 euros per month. Additionally, nurses in Finland are entitled to overtime pay, holiday pay, sick pay, and other benefits, according to the collective agreement.
Working Conditions
The working conditions of nurses in Finland are regulated by the collective agreement, which is negotiated between the employers and the trade unions. The collective agreement covers aspects such as working hours, rest periods, breaks, holidays, sick leave, maternity leave, and pension. The maximum weekly working hours for nurses in Finland are 40 hours, and any work beyond this is considered overtime and compensated with a higher rate of pay. Nurses in Finland are also entitled to regular rest periods and meal breaks during their shifts, as well as annual holidays of at least 30 days. Furthermore, nurses in Finland have the right to sick leave with full pay, subject to certain conditions, and maternity leave of up to 105 working days.
The working atmosphere in Finland is generally respectful and egalitarian, with a flat organizational structure and a high degree of autonomy. Nurses in Finland are expected to work independently and collaboratively, and to participate in decision-making and quality improvement. Nurses in Finland also have the opportunity to pursue further education and training and to advance their careers through specialization and leadership roles.
Residence Permit
The final requirement to work in Finland as a nurse with a foreign nursing degree is to have a valid residence permit. The type of residence permit you need depends on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen or a non-EU/EEA citizen.
EU/EEA Citizens
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you can move to Finland and search for a job for a period of three months without a residence permit. However, you will need to register your right of residence at the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) within three months of your arrival. To register your right of residence, you will need to provide the following documents:
1. A completed and signed application form, which you can download from Migri’s website or fill in online.
2. A copy of your passport or identity card.
3. A certificate of employment or a contract of employment, or a certificate of sufficient funds if you are self-employed or unemployed.
4. A certificate of health insurance.
The registration fee is 54 euros, which you can pay online or by bank transfer. You will receive a registration certificate by mail, which is valid for as long as you reside in Finland.
Non-EU/EEA Citizens
If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will need to apply for a residence permit before you enter Finland. You can apply for a residence permit for an employed person, which allows you to work in Finland for a specific employer and a specific occupation. To apply for a residence permit for an employed person, you will need to provide the following documents:
1A completed and signed application form, which you can download from Migri’s website or fill in online.
2. A copy of your passport.
3.A certificate of employment or a contract of employment, which must include information about the employer, the occupation, the salary, and the duration of the employment.
4.A certificate of recognition of your qualifications by Valvira, or a certificate of pending recognition if you have applied for it.
5.A certificate of your language skills by a language test, or a certificate of pending language test if you have registered for it.
6.A certificate of health insurance.
The application fee is 640 euros, which you can pay online or by bank transfer. You will need to visit a Finnish embassy or consulate in your country of origin or residence to submit your application and to have your biometric data taken. You will receive a residence permit card by mail, which is valid for one year and can be renewed.
Conclusion
Working in Finland as a nurse with a foreign nursing degree is possible, but it requires some preparation and patience. You will need to have your qualifications recognized by Valvira, prove your language skills by a language test, and apply for a residence permit. You will also need to familiarize yourself with the Finnish healthcare system, the salary, and the working conditions of nurses in Finland. However, once you overcome these challenges, you will be able to enjoy a rewarding and fulfilling career as a nurse in Finland, and benefit from the high quality of life and the beautiful nature of the country.
