Beate Nilsen (43) is not intimidated by negative stories from the nursing profession. She is ready to assist in the crisis, but has to postpone the start of her studies for a whole year because of what she refers to as a rigid admissions system. – Another consideration is the patients and workplaces that need nurses now, points out Nilsen. In 2000–2001, the 43-year-old completed her first year of nursing education, but had to quit when she became a single mother and could no longer imagine being able to have a part-time job. The way forward went to the kindergarten profession. Over the years, she trained as a preschool teacher and behavioral therapist. Later, she also took management training. In addition, she worked weekends in the healthcare system. This spring, Nilsen resigned from his job as manager of Nordfold kindergarten in Steigen in Nordland. She was finally going to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse. The surprise was great when her application was rejected. – Did you not examine the requirements before you applied? – I was so naive that I assumed that I would be qualified with the education and professional background I have, she replies. Wants temporary action to be taken The 43-year-old is not the only one who is ready to assist in the nursing crisis. Silje Bårdsen, who iHarstad recently wrote about, also has to postpone the start of her studies for at least a year because of old mistakes on her diploma. Nilsen thinks it hurts to see publications about empty seats at nursing programs around the country. She believes that immediate measures must be taken. – When the shortage of nurses is so acute, I think it is urgent to get us into education. I want the politicians to look at a temporary easing of the requirements, at least in the districts, says Nilsen. – The requirement raises the quality of applicants From and including the academic year 2018–2019, the state introduced the grade requirement of three or better in mathematics and Norwegian for applicants with general study skills. If the applicant does not have general study qualifications, practical qualifications apply. In that case, the requirement is at least five years of continuous practice within the health, care, social sector or similar. But the applicant must still fulfill the grade requirement in Norwegian and maths. According to the Norwegian Nurses’ Association, the demand came on the back of a large number of students dropping out. Here, the drug calculation test, which is carried out in the first year of the study, was highlighted as an important reason for high dropout rates. A test that Beate Nilsen passed when she studied nursing in 2000. The grade requirement has been widely discussed. The association believes that the requirement must remain, because they claim that it raises the quality of the applicants. – The most important thing is the final competence the nurse comes out with after a bachelor’s degree. The course is demanding, so there must be a grade requirement, says union leader Lill Sverresdatter Larsen. – Passing maths or Norwegian is something most people manage to achieve, and something you should be able to do to work as a nurse. Lill Sverresdatter Larsen hopes Beate and other possible nurses will not be stopped by having to take up subjects from upper secondary school. Photo: Per Sveinung Larsen / news The county team will not start at the “wrong end” The nurses’ association’s county teams in Troms and Finnmark are working hard these days to put measures in place in response to the crisis. County leader Åshild Østlyngen believes that to pass on grade requirements would be to start at the wrong end. – We believe that the most important thing for recruitment is to find out why so many leave the profession. The reputation that nursing has gained is probably what has the greatest effect on the number of students, claims Østlyngen. Åshild Østlyngen welcomes all possible nurses into the profession. She cheers for Beate and others who have to take up subjects first. Photo: Norwegian Nurses’ Association – Sees benefits in removing the requirement At the end of 2022, an admissions committee came up with a report in which they propose to remove the possibility of improving grades after upper secondary school. The committee would rather introduce a common standardized entrance exam. One of the arguments to the committee was that it would ensure that people got into education faster and thus also into work faster. The Department of Health Sciences at the University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway (UiT) describes the lack of applicants for the nursing degree as catastrophic. According to dean Gunbjørg Svineng, the reason is complex. The main reasons, she believes, are the demographic challenge of declining youth cohorts, as well as the bad reputation the profession has gained. As an institution, UiT has been invited to a hearing for the national discussion on the grade requirement. – We can see advantages in removing the grade requirement, precisely to be able to make an offer to those who have relevant experience. We have stated that we want to look at the possibility of removing the requirement, but it is the ministry that decides this, says Svineng. The Dean of the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Tromsø – the Arctic University of Norway is positive about removing the grade requirement. Photo: Jan Fredrik Frantzen / UiT – Are there figures that show a connection between dropouts and mathematics grades from upper secondary school? – We have not analyzed thoroughly enough to be able to say whether there is a connection. It is probably not certain that what you had in maths many years ago represents the knowledge base you have when you start a nursing education, Svineng replies. – We are not going to enforce the requirements for what you should be able to do when you leave your studies. Maths is particularly important for being able to calculate doses of medication, which is vital to do correctly, she clarifies. Understands that math skills are important In Steigen, like many other small municipalities in the country, the need for nurses is great. According to the municipality, there are currently 18 man-years that are not filled. Although Nilsen wishes that the admission requirements were not so rigid, she has a great understanding that a nurse needs math skills when they have to distribute medicines. – The medication account test requires zero errors to be passed. I understand that you cannot become a nurse if you cannot calculate the correct dose of medicine, but we learn that in education. The mathematics I now have to take a year to take is not relevant when I am going to become a nurse, says Nilsen. Beate Nilsen is studying advanced mathematics as a private student. When she has worked out her notice period in the nursery, she will go into health full-time. Photo: Private
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Will not enter the nursing program – news Troms and Finnmark
