Arcada TopUp Nursing

Skilled nurses are in high demand on the Finnish labour market. To ensure the availability of skilled nurses, Arcada is offering a TopUp nursing programme. Our TopUp upskilling programme offers an ethical, cost efficient and sustainable path for foreign educated nurses to fulfill Finnish requirements. Students are awarded a Bachelor of Healthcare Degree (Nursing) upon completion of their TopUp studies. This means that they will meet EU Nursing requirements.

The programme is aimed at upskilling foreign educated nurses who have

a bachelor's degree in Nursing completed outside of Finland,
several years of work experience as a nurse and
intermediate skills in Finnish (minimum A2 level).

Programme outline

As upskilling builds on previous competencies and education each student will have an individual study plan.

General outline of studies include modules covering:

Finnish Nursing Competencies
Finnish Nursing Practice
Practical training (completed in Finland)

Courses include both online and on-campus lectures, individual reading assignments, workshops, case-based exercises, simulations.

The students will also use the Arcada Patient Safety and Learning Centre (APSLC) as this provides an active simulation-based environment where theory and practice are combined. Through simulation-based training students learn to handle high-risk situations and special equipment, while at the same time improving their Finnish language, critical thinking, and leadership and teamwork skills.

Language studies

Extensive language training is important and a strong focus on professional communication in healthcare is needed. Therefore Arcada offers a minimum of 20 ECTS of Finnish language studies.

Arcada also offers a beginners course (level A1) in Swedish.

Current partners

If you are a nurse from any of these regions wishing to relocate to Finland please contact one of our partners for more information on how to make this happen.