NEWS Every year, around 50 nurses from countries outside the EU/EEA undergo a practical knowledge test at Norrland University Hospital under the auspices of the Department of Nursing. The vast majority are approved for a Swedish license, and some of them stay in Umeå but to a lesser extent.
Samira Keykhosravi, Parisa Enayati, Jean de Dieu Mwizerwa och Angela Cantiga.
ImageMattias PetterssonFor nurses from an EU/EEA country, the EU Directive on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications applies. After they have submitted an application to the National Board of Health and Welfare, which proves education and language skills, they then receive their license. The road is longer for nurses from other countries. The National Board of Health and Welfare decides who will either take a supplementary programme of two or sometimes three semesters, or a theoretical and practical knowledge test together with practical service. For the latter, the applicant must, among other things, be able to speak the language and have knowledge of the Swedish healthcare system.
If they pass the theoretical test, which is run from Gothenburg, a practical knowledge test awaits them at a clinical training center. In Umeå's case, it is carried out at Clinicum Betula at NUS. Here, in a natural environment, they get to show their skills through, among other things, injections, blood culture and suction treatment of the upper respiratory tract. Once both tests have been passed, they will have to arrange three months of practical service in a hospital or other health care facility with nurses.
Mitzie Nordh, lecturer at the Department of Nursing, is head of unit at Clinicum Betula, an activity that is shared with the Medical Programme. Here, the practical test has been carried out since the autumn of 2021. "We have been quite active and have graduated about 150 nurses since the start. It's a nice assignment, which really enriches our business," says Mitzie Nordh. "Many have had a job as an assistant nurse here in Sweden and have found a job directly as a nurse. Once they have arrived at the licence, they can be guided by the Healthcare Handbook if necessary.
One who completed the test in August 2024 is Jean de Dieu Mwizerwa from Rwanda, who has settled in Umeå and who will do an internship here: "I was a little nervous at the beginning of the test, but it got better and better over time. And it wasn't anything that was particularly difficult. Samira Keykhosravi and Parisa Enayati from Iran think that the basics of the profession are roughly the same in Sweden, but that there are differences in different materials. This is what Angela Cantiga from the Philippines says: "There, it is common for the patient to pay for different materials.
All four have previously worked for a few years as nurses in their countries of origin, for example in intensive care and surgery. After the test, they have to wait for the results to be announced. The assessment documents are sent to the responsible person in Gothenburg, who will notify the participants as soon as possible. Anyone who has not passed the test will have two chances to retake it.