Bilingual Degree Programme in Nursing: 25TOKASA
Code: 24TOKASA
Description
The functionally bilingual degree programme in nursing is aimed at those whose native language is other than Finnish and at immigrants. This programme does not have a language proficiency requirement for Finnish, however, the language proficiency requirement for English is B2 level. The student must be motivated and commit to learning the Finnish language. This degree programme is implemented as functionally bilingual, with English and Finnish as the languages of instruction. Finnish language is integrated into English language teaching from the beginning of the studies. Use of English language gradually decreases and studying in the Finnish language increases. In addition, the bilingual nursing programme includes Finnish as a second language studies comprising 19–22 ECTS credits. The objective of the bilingual nursing programme is, in addition to the development of professional competence, to achieve sufficient oral and written language proficiency required for the tasks of a healthcare professional during the studies.
CORE VALUES OF NURSING EDUCATION
The core values of the nursing education are based on the respect for human dignity and individual, confidentiality, responsibility, and high-level professional conduct. Learning in nursing involves the reflective, critical, and ethical evaluation of previously acquired knowledge and actions, as well as the discovery of new insights and the modification of one's own attitudes. A nurse supports individuals in promoting and maintaining health and well-being, while also providing comprehensive care for those who are ill. A nurse is a nursing expert who implements and develops nursing care both independently and in multidisciplinary collaboration.
THE CURRICULUM CONTAINS A BROAD RANGE OF NURSING COMPETENCIES
Tamk’s curriculum of the nursing education is based on nationally and internationally defined unified competence requirements for nurses. They consist of competencies containing professionalism and ethics, communication and patient-centeredness, multidisciplinarity, health promotion, leadership and decision-making skils and employee competence, information technology and documentation, guidance and teaching competence, as well as support for self-care. Additionally, clinical nursing, evidence-based practice, utilization of research knowledge and decision-making, entrepreneurship and development, quality assurance, the social and healthcare service system, and patient and client safety are integral components. The professional competence of a nurse is based on evidence-based nursing, nursing science, and other disciplines that support nursing, such as medicine, social sciences, and behavioral sciences. In the nursing education curriculum, the broad field of nursing practice and future competence are considered, including workplace relevance, individualized care, utilization of digital solutions, principles of sustainable development, and service profession principles.TAMK’s nursing education is specialized in extensive and demanding clinical nursing. In the final stages of the bilingual nursing programme, the studies focus on deepening competence in the diversity of nursing care for medical-surgical patients.
In the nursing profession, only individuals who have completed the required degree and are licensed healthcare professionals can practice nursing. The degree aligns with the criteria set by the Finnish national qualification framework for higher education and the European qualifications framework for degrees and other competencies. The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) licenses individuals who have completed a nursing degree in accordance with the legislation (559/1994) governing healthcare professionals. The national competence requirements (180 ECTS) for nurses and their contents are also considered and evaluated in the nursing education. The nursing degree is a professionally oriented bachelor’s level higher education qualification.
The nursing education complies with the requirements of the European Union Directive (2013/55/EU) on the recognition of professional qualifications and is comparable to equivalent qualifications in EU countries. A Finnish nursing degree enables employment in other EU countries. If a graduate wishes to work outside the EU/EEA area, they should check the country-specific eligibility requirements.
CONTENT AND PROGRESSION OF STUDIES
The functionally bilingual nursing studies are structured into three stages, during which competence deepens. The studies are carried out as full-time studies, and approximately 60 ECTS credits are completed per year. The student must be committed to on-site studies when needed. The studies are conducted bilingually (English - Finnish). Some studies can be implemented in a multidisciplinary manner. The programme includes 15 credits of joint social and health care studies. Some studies can also be implemented within various projects.
After the initial stage of studies, the student will have acquired the fundamentals of the nursing profession. The student can adhere to the legislation regarding health care and ethical guidelines in nursing care. The student can observe basic vital functions, identify patient care needs, and safely apply appropriate nursing interventions. The student can administer medication safely, master medication calculations, and implement elderly nursing care. The student can consider diversity in study and work community. The student understands the basics of genomic information as part of nursing care.
In the middle stage of studies, during 2nd to 5th semester, the student develops clinical expertise in various areas of nursing care and can identify the nursing needs of patients/clients of different ages. The student can plan, implement and evaluate nursing care together with the patients/clients and their close ones. The student can identify and anticipate individual and community health problems. The student utilizes knowledge from different disciplines as the foundation for their action. The student can guide and support patients/clients and their close ones in selfcare and healthy living habits. The student has knowledge of technological innovations related to methods in nursing care and the student can utilize customer-oriented digital social and healthcare services. The student can work in multidisciplinary cooperation and represent nursing, in the best interest of the patient/client. The student can critically evaluate their own work.
During 6th and 7th semesters the student's competence strengthens and deepens. As a nursing student, they can make ethically valid and evidence-based decisions and act professionally. The student can respond to the care needs of patients/clients of different ages and their close ones. The student can act as a primary nurse according to the principles of individualized nursing care in all phases of the care process. The student can responsibly contribute to the development of nursing in their own practice. The student deepens their competence through the bachelor’s thesis.
The nursing education includes 75 ECTS credits of professionally supervised clinical training in authentic patient/client contacts in various care environments. These clinical training periods should be placed diversely in various areas of nursing. The student must be committed to improve their proficiency in the Finnish language in order to function in Finnish care environments, already during the nursing studies.
THE PEDAGOGICAL FOUNDATION OF FUNCTIONALLY BILINGUAL NURSING EDUCATION
Tamk’s pedagogical principles of learning orientation, community engagement, participation, sustainable future, expertise in workplace development, digitalization and internationalization are considered in the functionally bilingual nursing programme. Student participation and agency in learning are emphasized. Learning takes place in various pedagogical, simulated, and work-based learning environments. The education utilizes on-site, remote, and hybrid teaching methods, online learning, small group and teamwork, simulation exercises, and skills workshops. Teaching and learning take place in a multicultural, bilingual group, following the pedagogical principles of community and participation. The bilingual nursing programme emphasizes ethically sustainable solutions, sustainable future, equality, and understanding of sustainable development, as well as perceptions of the interdependence between humans and nature. The role of the economy in the global society and community are considered in the implementation of education.
Active collaboration with the professional field and responding to evolving competence needs in the work field are a crucial part of the functionally bilingual nursing programme. Students' supervised clinical trainings take place in authentic patient and client environments, allowing the student to reflect on their learning and develop as a nurse. The students can also acquire skills and experiences through international internship exchanges. Students have the opportunity to utilize previously acquired skills as part of their studies. The realization of diversity and accessibility is ensured equally in the functionally bilingual nursing programme.
THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES ARE ADHERED TO IN COMPLETING THE STUDIES
The students must complete 30 ECTS credits from the first and second semester studies before progressing to the third semester. These 30 ECTS credits must include an approved completion of the course on Pharmacotherapy and Medical Calculations. Before the second clinical training, the student is required to participate in the courses on Infection Control, Pharmacotherapy and Medical Calculations and Basics of Clinical Nursing. Prior to the fourth internship, the student must successfully complete the courses Infection Control, Pharmacotherapy and Medical Calculations and Basics of Clinical Nursing. In addition, before clinical trainings 4–9, students are required to participate in the course related to the field of nursing implemented, e.g., course Surgical Nursing before clinical training in a surgical unit.
The student should consider placing clinical trainings 2–9 broadly across various fields of nursing. Clinical trainings are carried out with patients of different ages in primary healthcare, specialized healthcare, inpatient care, and outpatient healthcare (in public or private healthcare and in the third sector), ensuring the development of competence in both somatic and mental health and substance abuse nursing.
Before starting the bachelor’s thesis, the student must have participated in the information literacy course and completed supervised clinical trainings 1–4.
Before starting the final stage of studies, the student must have completed 135 ECTS credits of the studies. Courses Nursing care of Internal Medicine and Palliative Care, Surgical Nursing and Anatomy and Physiology must be completed, and at least six supervised clinical trainings.
Objectives
The student has broad and evidence-based knowledge about human beings, health, environment, and care.
The student can work according to the principles of individualized nursing care in all phases of the patient's and their close ones' care process. The student can utilize a variety of guidance methods in nursing care.
The student has a strong professional identity as a nurse. They have ethical competence and the ability to develop and evaluate their own actions through self-reflection.
Further information
Curriculum has been approved 29.04.2024 by the Higher Education Council.
The curriculum takes into account Finland's health policy programmes and future challenges as well as TAMK's strategy. In addition, the curriculum considers the implementation of the Health Care Professionals Act (559/1994) and Regulation (564/1994), national definition of professional competence for nurses, the classification of competencies by the Council of Rectors of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, the common competencies of Tampere University Community and the national qualifications framework (NQF) for degrees.
The curriculum development has also taken into account various reports on the development of social and healthcare sector, including reports from projects like the Ministry of Education and Culture's 'Skills for Social and Healthcare' project. The education meets the requirements of the European Union Directive (2013/55/EU) on the recognition of professional qualifications.
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Show study timings by academic year, semester or period
Code | Name | Credits (cr) | 2025-2026 | 2026-2027 | 2027-2028 | 2028-2029 | Autumn 2025 | Spring 2026 | Autumn 2026 | Spring 2027 | Autumn 2027 | Spring 2028 | Autumn 2028 | 1. / 2025 | 2. / 2025 | 3. / 2026 | 4. / 2026 | 1. / 2026 | 2. / 2026 | 3. / 2027 | 4. / 2027 | 1. / 2027 | 2. / 2027 | 3. / 2028 | 4. / 2028 | 1. / 2028 | 2. / 2028 |
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24TOKASA-1001 |
Common Professional Studies in Social and Health Care
(Choose all ) |
15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
7K00GH56 | Me and Us on the Journey to Becoming a Social and Health Care Professionals | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7K00GH57 | Customer-Oriented Development of Social and Health Services | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7K00GH58 | Multiprofessional Management and Development | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
24TOKASA-1008 |
Language Skills
(Choose 19) |
19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
IM00GW15 | Finnish 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
IM00GW16 | Finnish 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
IB00HC78 | Finnish 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
IB00HC79 | Finnish 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
IB00HC80 | Finnish 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7K00GM11 | Swedish, spoken | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7K00GM12 | Swedish, written | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
24TOKASA-1010 |
The Basics of Nursing Profession
(Choose all ) |
18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
NN00GU79 | Study Guidance | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GM15 | Basics of Clinical Nursing | 9 | 9 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GM16 | Pharmacotherapy and Medical Calculations | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GM17 | Infection Control | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GM18 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
24TOKASA-1018 |
Holistic Nursing
(Choose all ) |
17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO83 | Intravenous Fluid Therapy and Clinical Laboratory Tests | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO84 | Nursing Documentation | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO85 | Nursing Care of Internal Medicine and Palliative Care | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO86 | Pharmacology | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO87 | Natural Sciences and Medicine 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO88 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
24TOKASA-1011 |
Operative Nursing
(Choose all ) |
18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO89 | Surgical Nursing | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO90 | Perioperative Nursing | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO91 | Natural Sciences and Medicine 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO92 | Anatomy and Physiology 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO93 | Holistic Health Promotion and Guidance Expertise | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO94 | Information Literacy | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
24TOKASA-1012 |
Family Nursing
(Choose all ) |
17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GM19 | Nursing of Children and Young People and Nursing of the Disabled | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GM20 | Reproductive Health and Gynecological Nursing | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GM21 | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Nursing | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GM22 | Nursing Care for the Elderly | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GM23 | Advancement of Nursing Skills | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
24TOKASA-1013 |
Nursing in Changing Environments
(Choose all ) |
8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO95 | Communicable Diseases and Vaccination | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO96 | Nursing at a Health and Social Services Center | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO97 | Development of Nursing Expertise | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
24TOKASA-1014 |
Advanced Professional Studies, Medical Surgical Nursing
(Choose all ) |
5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO98 | Medical Surgical Nursing | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
24TOKASA-1015 |
Supervised Clinical Training
(Choose all ) |
75 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GM27 | Supervised Clinical Training 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GO99 | Supervised Clinical Training 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GP00 | Supervised Clinical Training 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GP01 | Supervised Clinical Training 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3.5 | 3.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GP02 | Supervised Clinical Training 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GP03 | Supervised Clinical Training 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GP04 | Supervised Clinical Training 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GP05 | Supervised Clinical Training 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 4.5 | 4.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GP06 | Supervised Clinical Training 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GP07 | Supervised Clinical Training 10: Medical-Surgical Nursing 1 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
7Q00GP08 | Supervised Clinical Training 11: Medical-Surgical Nursing 2 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
24TOKASA-1016 |
Elective Studies
(Choose 3) |
3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
IB00HC81 | Finnish 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
24TOKASA-1017 |
Bachelor´s Thesis
(Choose all ) |
15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
NN00HA83 | Thesis Plan | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
NN00HA84 | Implementing Thesis | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
NN00HA85 | Reporting Thesis | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 210 | 60 | 69 | 63 | 21 | 27.5 | 32.5 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 29 | 21 | 13.8 | 13.8 | 16.3 | 16.3 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 |
Due to the timing of optional and elective courses, credit accumulation per semester / academic year may vary.
Degree Certificate - Bachelors's degree (EQF6)
Structuring for Degree Certificate for Bachelor's Degree, according to AMK legislation. (Basic model).
Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council
Competence for general nurse
Professialisim and ethics
- Functions in accordance with the values, ethical guidelines and principles of nursing care, and evaluates their implementation in daily nursing care |
No attached course units |
Client centred care
- Respects clients/patients and encounters them as experts of and actors in their own lives. |
No attached course units |
Work community skills Information technology and documentation
- Complies with the requirements and regulations governing data protection and information security in health care and social welfare services relating to the creation, use, storage and disposal of data. |
No attached course units |
Leadership and professional co-operation skills of the employee
- Demonstrates ability to priorize the task flexibly |
No attached course units |
Clinical nursing
- Responds to the needs of the client/patient by planning, implementing and assessing appropriate individual nursing care in cooperation with the client/patient, their family members, and other professionals in health care and social welfare services. |
No attached course units |
Communication and multi professionalism
- Demonstrates knowledge of professional communication. |
No attached course units |
Quality management
- Evaluates the quality of nursing care in order to develop the client’s /patient’s care, and their own practices. |
No attached course units |
Evidence based practice, utilization of research knowledge and decision making
- Understands that work of a nurse is evidence based and commits to it. |
No attached course units |
Guidance and education competence and supporting self care
- Assesses the needs, resources and responsibility of the client/patient in planning guidance and self care. |
No attached course units |
Patient and client safety
- Demonstrates knowledge of key factors regarding patient and client. |
No attached course units |
Service system of health care and social welfare services
- Understands how health care and social welfare services are produced and organized, and how they are controlled and monitored in Finland |
No attached course units |
Health promotion
- Demonstrates ability to apply current research data and other information from the field of health promotion to their work with client/patients |
No attached course units |
Entrepreneurship and development
- Understands the idea of intrapreneurship and commits to it in his or her work. |
No attached course units |
Unclassified |
Me and Us on the Journey to Becoming a Social and Health Care Professionals |
Customer-Oriented Development of Social and Health Services |
Multiprofessional Management and Development |
Finnish 1 |
Finnish 2 |
Finnish 3 |
Finnish 4 |
Finnish 5 |
Swedish, spoken |
Swedish, written |
Study Guidance |
Basics of Clinical Nursing |
Pharmacotherapy and Medical Calculations |
Infection Control |
Anatomy and Physiology 1 |
Intravenous Fluid Therapy and Clinical Laboratory Tests |
Nursing Documentation |
Nursing Care of Internal Medicine and Palliative Care |
Pharmacology |
Natural Sciences and Medicine 1 |
Anatomy and Physiology 2 |
Surgical Nursing |
Perioperative Nursing |
Natural Sciences and Medicine 2 |
Anatomy and Physiology 3 |
Holistic Health Promotion and Guidance Expertise |
Information Literacy |
Nursing of Children and Young People and Nursing of the Disabled |
Reproductive Health and Gynecological Nursing |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Nursing |
Nursing Care for the Elderly |
Advancement of Nursing Skills |
Communicable Diseases and Vaccination |
Nursing at a Health and Social Services Center |
Development of Nursing Expertise |
Medical Surgical Nursing |
Supervised Clinical Training 1 |
Supervised Clinical Training 2 |
Supervised Clinical Training 3 |
Supervised Clinical Training 4 |
Supervised Clinical Training 5 |
Supervised Clinical Training 6 |
Supervised Clinical Training 7 |
Supervised Clinical Training 8 |
Supervised Clinical Training 9 |
Supervised Clinical Training 10: Medical-Surgical Nursing 1 |
Supervised Clinical Training 11: Medical-Surgical Nursing 2 |
Finnish 6 |
Thesis Plan |
Implementing Thesis |
Reporting Thesis |
Sustainability and Responsibility
Sustainable Future is one of the pedagogical principles of TAMK. Ecological, social, cultural, and economic sustainability are important building blocks of a sustainable future. All these perspectives can be observed on individual, sectoral, societal, or global scales.