Bachelor of Health Care | Paramedic Nurse

Paramedic nurse – an expert in acute health care 

Paramedic nurses can recognise and anticipate situations that threaten a patient's life and know how to act as required by the situation. With non-urgent first aid tasks, paramedics assess the patient's need for service and care, plan follow-up care, and refer the patient to appropriate care.

The studies are based on researched knowledge, which ensures the necessary theoretical and practical nursing skills. At LAB University of Applied Sciences, nurse training focuses on strong clinical expertise and patient safety, which is reinforced throughout our studies in our modern simulation centre.

To work in health care and social services in Finland, you must learn the Finnish language. While the main language of your studies is English, you will take several Finnish language courses. The LAB community offers strong support in learning Finnish.

Students must hold a valid driving licence

Students on the Paramedic Nurse degree programme need a valid driving licence during their studies and to work in an ambulance after graduation. International students who already hold a driving licence from their home country can exchange it for a Finnish licence within 2 years of arrival. For more information, see the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) page.

Where can graduates work?

Most often, paramedic nurses work as care-level paramedics in ambulances. You can also work in various nursing and emergency care specialist positions that require basic or special skills.

Paramedic nurses can work in primary health care, specialist nursing, outpatient emergency care, social care, and private and third-sector services both in Finland and abroad. Paramedic nurses can also work in the private sector as employees or entrepreneurs, for example, in ambulances. As a paramedic, you can also work as a team leader.

Students from the Bachelor of Health Care, Paramedic Nurse degree programme will also receive a Bachelor of Health Care (Nursing), which will expand career opportunities for various nursing positions.

Job requirements for paramedic nurses

The job requires pressure tolerance and the readiness to act consistently even in difficult and unexpected situations. In addition, good physical and mental workability is required at work.

A paramedic must be able to work both independently and as part of a multi-professional team. Paramedics are able to make independent decisions based on researched information and care guidelines.

What do the studies include?

Studies include theoretical and practical training; the practical part of the education takes place in varying and multidisciplinary areas of health care. Our modern health care labs and simulation environment enable the development of skills, knowledge, and decision-making abilities together with lecturers, experts, and fellow multicultural students. Flexible e-learning possibilities are also employed. The scope of the studies is 240 ECTS credits.

• Core competence 15 ECTS  
• Professional core competence 100 ECTS  
• Complementary competence 35 ECTS  
• Clinical training 75 ECTS  
• Thesis 15 ECTS  

Progress in studies accumulates competence

In the first study year, you will become acquainted with safe and ethical nursing in theory, practical exercises, and the right client and patient situations. In addition, you will strengthen your knowledge acquisition and communication skills.

As your studies progress, you will learn a variety of skills needed in clinical work. At the end of the second academic year, an assessment of basic paramedic skills is held, and after that, you can apply for summer work as a basic-level paramedic.

During the last two years, you will study more about paramedics and special issues in nursing, such as childcare, emergency care, and intensive care. The main emphasis is on paramedic studies, cooperation with authorities, and situation management in emergency care.

At the end of your studies, you will complete a nationwide paramedic exam and demonstrate your skills in simulated emergency care situations.