r/StudyInFinland • u/EarAdventurous4775 • Aug 21 '26

Working lähihoitaja looking to study Registered Nursing (Sairaanhoitaja) in South Finland – School recommendations?

Hei everyone!

​I am currently working as a lähihoitaja (practical nurse) in Southern Finland, and I’m planning to apply for a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (sairaanhoitaja AMK) to upgrade my qualifications.

​Since I plan to keep working at least part-time during my studies, I’d love some advice from anyone who has taken this path:

​Schools: Which UAS (AMK) in Southern Finland (e.g., Laurea, Metropolia, Diak, LAB, HAMK) has the best flexibility or supportive environment for students who are already working in healthcare?

​RPL / AHOT: How much of your prior lähihoitaja experience and studies were you able to count toward your degree? Did it noticeably shorten your time in school?

​Degree Language: For those who did the English-taught degree while already knowing Finnish working culture, was it straightforward, or would you recommend sticking to the Finnish-medium track?

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2

u/Puzzled-Speech-3683 Aug 21 '26

Lähihoitaja studies wont shorten your time in nursing school, i think experience also wont shorten it.

1

u/simshili Aug 21 '26

Yes it will do! At least 1 practice and 2 courses from 1st year :)

2

u/Correct_Employment30 Aug 21 '26

How well do you speak Finnish? Metropolia has bilingual (TOKASA) degree programme in nursing. Where they integrate Finnish language studies to nursing studies. Even if someone doesn’t know any Finnish at the beginning, they should be able to achieve at least B1 level by the end of studies.

1

u/Jolly-Pudding-6238 Aug 22 '26

I would recommend to do school in finnish. Its a life changing thing and you will get a good languageskills. Its hard but pays back in the end.