Programme · Practical Nurse
Practical Nurse programme, recognised by Valvira through vocational college partnership.
HSS trains you for the Finnish practical nurse (lähihoitaja) profession on our own learning platform. A Finnish vocational college validates the qualification so it is recognised by Valvira, the national supervisory authority. Vocational studies run for 11 focused weeks, followed by paid clinical practice.
Weekly curriculum
Each week has its own theme, its own set of theory videos and interactive exercises, and ends in a scored exam. You cannot leave a topic behind until you have shown it is secure.
Basic concepts, professional ethics, interaction
The vocabulary of Finnish social and health care. Professional ethics and the ethical code of care work. Professional interaction with patients and colleagues.
Hygiene and aseptics
Hygiene and aseptic working methods, handling of human secretion, cleanliness of the care environment. Preparation for the national hygiene passport is included.
Laws and the Finnish service system
Social and health care legislation. Services for people with disabilities, mental health and substance abuse, children and families, the elderly, rehabilitation.
Growth and inclusion across life stages
Promoting growth and inclusion in childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Age-specific approaches to care.
Assisting in personal hygiene
Assistance in bathing, oral and dental care, dressing, eating, toileting. The everyday hands-on skills that make up most of a practical nurse day.
Well-being: mental, social, functional
Family and social networks. Mental health. Supporting functional capacity. Functional and creative methods. Accessibility and assistive aids.
Nutrition and mobility
Nutrition, nutrition of the elderly, health-enhancing physical activity, ergonomic patient handling — protecting your own back is part of the curriculum.
Nursing process, recording, reporting
The nursing process from assessment to evaluation. Recording in Finnish healthcare information systems. Different care plans. Ends with a group assignment.
Ageing, memory disorders, end-of-life care
Ageing and old age. Laws and quality recommendations for elder care. Care guidelines for people with memory disorders. End-of-life care.
Working capacity, quality, entrepreneurship
Working capacity and well-being at work. Self-monitoring plans and quality recommendations. Entrepreneurship in the care sector. Professional development.
Final exam and clinical practice
The written qualification exam, followed by supervised clinical practice in a partner care facility. Real patients, real hours, paid according to the Finnish care collective agreement.
What this programme actually gives you
735 tracked exercises
Every module has its own set of exercises — matching, short answer, video comprehension, listening — all logged individually so your coordinator can see exactly which concept has not clicked yet.
AI-assisted study companion
A Finnish-speaking AI tutor is available inside the platform to help you rephrase a case study, quiz you on vocabulary, or walk you through a legal concept in plain language.
Weekly coordinator meeting
A named coordinator watches your progress every week and meets you online. They read your exams, spot problems early, and adjust your schedule if life needs it.
Hygiene passport included
The national hygiene passport is required for Finnish care work. Week 02 includes all preparation and the model exam — you finish the programme with the certificate already in hand.
Paid clinical practice
The final weeks are spent in a partner care facility, working real shifts under supervision, paid according to the Finnish care collective agreement (TES).
A portable, recognised qualification
The lähihoitaja qualification is nationally recognised. On graduation you can apply for roles anywhere in Finland — hospitals, elderly care, home care, disability services, mental health.
Completion of the programme does not guarantee employment in Finland. Employment decisions are made by Finnish employers on their own criteria at the end of the clinical placement.