Employment and experience of Top-Up degree students in Finnish Nursing field one year after graduation
Macmod, Rayhana; Sanday, Asmalyn; Salaum, Leah (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025112830831
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025112830831
Tiivistelmä
This study examines the employment outcomes and professional experiences of Top-Up degree nursing graduates in Finland one year after graduation. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive survey, it explored how these graduates transitioned into the Finnish healthcare workforce and what factors influenced their employment, adaptation, and satisfaction. A structured electronic questionnaire in Webropol gathered data, analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages. Open-ended responses underwent inductive qualitative content analysis.
Most respondents gained employment within six months, mainly in hospitals and elderly care. Key challenges included Finnish language proficiency, workplace adaptation, and recognition of previous nursing experience. Despite these, participants generally reported satisfaction with their jobs, professional preparedness, and confidence. They viewed the Top-Up degree as valuable for improving competence, employability, and integration into Finnish healthcare.
The study concludes that the Finnish Top-Up degree effectively supports international nursing graduates’ transition into practice. However, ongoing support in language learning, workplace orientation, and cultural adaptation remains crucial to enhance long-term retention and success in the healthcare sector.
Most respondents gained employment within six months, mainly in hospitals and elderly care. Key challenges included Finnish language proficiency, workplace adaptation, and recognition of previous nursing experience. Despite these, participants generally reported satisfaction with their jobs, professional preparedness, and confidence. They viewed the Top-Up degree as valuable for improving competence, employability, and integration into Finnish healthcare.
The study concludes that the Finnish Top-Up degree effectively supports international nursing graduates’ transition into practice. However, ongoing support in language learning, workplace orientation, and cultural adaptation remains crucial to enhance long-term retention and success in the healthcare sector.