5 Best Nursing schools in Norway: Costs & Authorization

Earning a degree in Nursing is a major investment. Students tend to benefit by gaining communication, technological and critical-thinking skills that can help them find a job or qualify them for higher salaries.

However, before delving properly into the list of nursing schools in Norway, it is important you know that there are different types of degrees available. Therefore if you are a high school graduate or an experienced professional, making the right decision means considering each option against your goals, lifestyle and your financial resources.

Here are the different types of nursing, their duration and their target jobs.

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Doctoral Degrees in Nursing

It is a two-year doctoral degree programme and you will be able to work in any advanced Leadership and research role.

It is a terminal degree that is intended to help students gain knowledge that is necessary to teach at the University Level, conduct research in the field and pursue high-level roles similar to those for students with joint master’s degrees. You can become:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc or DNS)

Nurses with this degree earn an average annual salary of $83,240.

MSN(Master of Science in Nursing )

It is equally a two-year post-graduate programme. Graduates in this field are able to work as a Nursing editor, as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, as a certified nurse-midwife(CNM) and equally as a clinical nurse specialist.

With this degree, you are prepared to work as an APRN in your area of concentration. The average salary of Nurses in this category based on specialization is:

  • Nurse practitioner: $111,840
  • Certified nurse midwives: $108,810
  • Certified nurse anesthetists: $181,040
  • Clinical nurse specialist: $77,460

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BSN(Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

This is a 4 years program that gives you the opportunity to work as a Registered Nurse (RN). This course entails a combination of classwork and on-site clinical training which teaches students anatomy, biology, chemistry as well as specific duties that are related to patient care, laboratory testing, designing treatment plans, and assisting with surgery. We this degree, you can become the following:

  • Parish nurse
  • School nurse
  • Case manager
  • Forensic nurse
  • Public health nurse
  • Home health nurse
  • Legal nurse consultant
  • Occupational health nurse
  • Mid-level nurse administrator
  • Nursing informatics specialist

The average salary of a Nurse with this degree is $77,460.

ADN(Associate Degree in Nursing)

It is a two-year degree in Nursing that equally gives you the opportunity to work as a registered nurse in the end. It is the minimum degree requirement to become a Registered Nurse. You will have the credentials necessary to qualify for most nursing jobs. They do the following:

  • Dress wounds and incisions.
  • Supervise LPNs, LVNs, and CNAs.
  • Run and analyze diagnostics tests.
  • Provide patient education on self-care.
  • Review patient treatment plans and chart progress.
  • Assist physicians during exams, surgeries, and other medical procedures.

The average annual salary of nurses in this field is about $77,460.

LPN/LVN (Diploma or Certificate)

LPN/LVN It is a diploma or certificate that lasts for a period of 12 to 18 months and in the end, you are able to work as a practical nurse or a licensed vocational Nurse.

It is a non-degree diploma offered in most nursing schools in Norway, vocational schools and community colleges. This program prepares students to work under the supervision of RNs. They perform the following duties:

  • Take vital signs.
  • Improve patient comfort.
  • Report patient conditions.
  • Administer medication and injections.
  • Change wound dressings and insert catheters.
  • Assist with tests, sample collection, and procedures.

The average annual Salary for LPNs and LVNs is about $48,500.

CNA(Diploma or Certificate)

This is one o the Programs that last for a period of 4 to 12 weeks and you have the chance to become a certified assistant. Here you learn how to provide basic healthcare services and help patients with their daily activities. CNA Nurse typically includes:

  • Bathing and feeding patients.
  • Changing bedding.
  • Taking vital signs.
  • Recording patient data.
  • Transferring patients in and out of bed.
  • Communicating with family members.

The average annual salary for CNAs is $30,720.

List of Best Nursing Schools in Norway

  • Molde University College Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Care
  • University of Agder
  • Oslo Metropolitan University Department of Nursing and Health Promotion
  • University of Oslo Institute of Health and Society
  • Ostfold University College

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Molde University College Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Care

Molde University College Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Care is one of the nursing schools in Norway that offers both full time and part-time in Molde and Kristiansund.

They have master’s programmes and PhD programmes as well but there are no international programs within the faculty. However, there are exchange programmes.

At Molde University College, BSc programs are held in the Norwegian language. Their undergraduate programmes are not offered to international students. However, there are masters programs at the international level. Out of a student body of about 3000 students, over 250 are of foreign nationality.

Molde University College was founded in the year 1994 and the Molde Nursing School was founded in 1958.

Molde University College is one of the best Nursing schools in Norway because of its high passing rate on licensure exams for nursing and other various public health officers.

University of Agder

The University of Agder is considered one of the nursing schools in Norway because they offer nursing education.

Their nursing programs qualify students to practice at a professional level with respect to suitability and respect for human autonomy and participation.

This means students on graduation are able to attend to the basic needs of human beings, promote health, treat illness, relieve suffering and ensure a worthy death.

The study programme equally promotes collaboration cross-professionally. Each academic year in this university comes with theory studies and practical placement studies.

There are students exchange programs that are offered in English. There are students exchange program agreements between countries in Africa, Australia, the USA, Europe and Nordic countries.

Once students complete their programs, they qualify for the authorization as a nurse and are provided with the basis for a professional life in all parts of the health care system.

Oslo Metropolitan University Department of Nursing and Health Promotion

Oslo Metropolitan University Department of Nursing and Health Promotion is one of the Nursing schools in Norway.

They have 3 Bachelor’s programmes, 8 maters programs and about 3,220 students.

They have exchange programs as well as PhD programmes. The PhD programmes enable students to conduct research that leads to scientific dissertations of high international standards.

Their bachelor’s programs include Nursing and Paramedic Science.

Their master’s programme includes Mental health care, Midwifery, Nursing-Anaesthesia, Nursing-intensive care etc.

They have PhD programs in the Health Science field which lasts for three years.

University of Oslo Institute of Health and Society

Nursing at the University of Oslo Institute of Health and Society contributes to the understanding of more aspects of functional decline within a trajectory of care, knowledge and skills that are held by nurses, as well as quality and new practice models.

The department conducts multi-disciplinary research, currently related to professional development, symptom management, user participation, health and elderly care.

They offer two master’s programs which lead to Master in Nursing Science or Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Geriatric Nursing. Both have lectures in Norwegian.

Their study program has a wide range of knowledge and practices that you will be able to achieve in a three-year curriculum.

Ostfold University College

The Ostfold University College is considered as one of the nursing schools in Norway that has so many studies that are taught in new and modern premises.

The University itself has a total of just under 7,000 students with about 1000 students taking the continuing further education programs. There are more than 550 members of staff.

Ostfold does not offer full international courses for nursing, however. They offer change programs instead that has a period of about three months which is aimed at developing practical skills of Nursing students.

Though very few, there are English courses for nursing students, specifically for international students. The Norwegian language is the common medium of instruction.

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How to receive authorization as a Nurse in Norway

There are many professions that are regulated by laws. One of them is Nursing. The Norwegian Directorate of Health (Helsedirektoratet) is responsible for the authorisation of nurses in Norway.

Just after attending the nursing schools in Norway or if you are a nurse that was trained in another country, you will need to apply for authorization from the Norwegian Directorate of Health.

You will need to complete the application form once you have applied and will be asked to submit several documents which must be translated.

The documents are written in Scandinavian languages (Danish, Norwegian or Swedish), or English.

Where do nurses work?

The most common workplace for nurses is the hospitals and care services in municipalities such as nursing homes, home-help services, occupational health services etc.

Some nurses equally work with research firms, teaching institutions, as well as aid agencies.

How do you find a Nursing job in Norway?

After attending the nursing schools in Norway, the next is to find a job. Most jobs are found when there are advertisements for positions on the website of the state employment service.

You can find jobs at the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration while international students can visit the European Job Mobility portal in their home country to find Nursing jobs in Norway.

Also, you can check websites for vacant positions in the different municipalities or use various private recruitment agencies or contact employers directly.

How Long does it take to study nursing in Norway?

To become a Norwegian Nurse, you have to complete a 3-year bachelor’s degree in any of the nursing schools in Norway, before you can be able to apply for certification.

How much does it cost to study in Norway?

In Norway, most public universities and public nursing schools Norway do not charge tuition fees. This is valid for undergraduate degree courses, master’s programmes and PhDs.

The no tuition-fee policy equally applies to students from all countries regardless if they are members of EU/EEA or not.

However, there are student’s union fees that students must pay per semester which is usually between 30 to 60 EUR.

Private nursing schools in Norway and other private universities often charge tuition fee which usually ranges from 7,000 – 9,000 EUR/year for Bachelor’s programmes and 9,000 – 19,000 EUR/year for Master’s programmes.

Cost of living

While making your budget for attending any of the nursing schools in Norway, there must be a space for the living costs. The living costs comprises accommodation, books and other study materials.

On average, you will be spending between 800 – 1,400 EUR/month on living expenses. It is however more expensive in larger cities.

For instance, you have to expect between 1,200 – 2,000 EUR in Oslo but about 1,100 – 1,800 EUR in Bergen.

Food costs will be between 250 to 400EUR/month. Accommodation should be between 300 to 700EUR/month. Transportation should be between 55 and 72EUR/month. Finally budget between 50 to 120EUR/month for extra costs.

How much are nurses paid in Norway?

In Norway, nurses have the ability to earn an average salary of $52,000 and even up to $100,000 depending on experience and specialization.

What courses are under nursing?

For high school graduates who want to pursue a degree in nursing in any of the nursing schools in Norway, then you must take science, mathematics and technology seriously.

Nursing programmes in one way or the other will touch the following aspects:

Biochemistry
Anatomy and physiology
Health assessment
Microbiology and parasitology
Nutrition and diet therapy
Nursing informatics etc.

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Conclusion

Norway has a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals. Attending any of these nursing schools in Norway is a good decision to make. This is because your education must equal the Norwegian standards. Therefore explore the endless opportunities in Norway and enjoy Norway’s great standard of living. Best regards!!

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