Nursing, TopUp

Arcada’s Nursing TopUp degree programme is aimed at those who already have a bachelor's degree, a Diploma, or a similar level of Nursing education of a minimum 3 years duration and which is completed outside of Finland, work experience and skills in Finnish or Swedish.The TopUp programme offers internationally educated nurses the possibility of obtaining a Finnish Bachelor of Health Care, 210 ECTS, in approximately one to two years. This is possible through the accreditation of former studies, practical training and work experience up to the extent of 150 ECTS, leaving to study the remaining credits that have a specific focus on EU and Finnish competencies.In the Nursing TopUp programme you will study both online and on campus. All exams and simulations or practical sessions take place on campus. It is possible to study alongside work, as long as you make sure that you can attend the compulsory campus days. You will be informed of the on-campus dates well in advance. In some cases, your current work can be accredited as practical training, but this requires individual planning with the relevant teachers once the studies have begun.The Arcada Patient Safety and Learning Centre (APSLC) 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/Swedish language, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork skills. A broad spectrum of difficult crisis and accident situations can be recreated in this simulation environment, which is safe and secure, easily adjustable and realistic.The TopUp programme is taught in English, but language skills in Finnish or Swedish are necessary to complete work practice periods.