Core competence requirements and their contents for a registered nurse (180 ECTS)

The Finnish core competence requirements and their contents for a registered nurse (180 ECTS) were updated to reflect the evidence required by society, the social and health care service system, and the professional development of the field.

The update of the competence requirements and their content was carried out as a national collaboration during 2024–2025. The universities of applied sciences participating in the national Registered Nurse (180 ECTS) examination were responsible for the update.

Laurea University of Applied Sciences coordinated the updating process. The previous update of the competence requirements was carried out in 2019 in the project “Development of the Assessment of General Registered Nurse Professional Competence (180 ECTS).”

The updated competence requirements and their contents form a current foundation for assessing the competence of registered nurses and for developing the national Registered Nurse (180 ECTS) examination.

Updated Competence Areas and the Number of Competence Requirements Included in Each Area:

• Professionalism and Ethics (6)
• Client Centred Care (2)
• Client and Patient Safety (3)
• Promotion of Health and Well Being (4)
• Information Technology and Documentation (3)
• Clinical Nursing Care (27)
• Quality Assurance (1)
• Evidence-Based Decision-Making and Development in Nursing Care (2)
• Guidance and Support for Self-Care (2)
• Social and Health Care Service System (3)
• Working Life Skills, Leadership and Entrepreneurship (4)
• Interaction Competence (3)

Access the Updated Competence Requirements

In Finnish:

Sairaanhoitajan ydinosaamisen (180 op) osaamisvaatimukset ja niiden sisällöt (PDF)

In English:

Core competence requirements and their contents for a registered nurse (180 ECTS) (PDF)

It is permitted, in accordance with good practice, to quote the competence requirements and their contents to the extent necessary for the intended purpose, provided that the source is indicated: Core Competence Requirements and their Competences for a Registered Nurse (180 ECTS) 2026. Core competence requirements and their contents for a registered nurse (180 ECTS) (PDF)

Key Actors and Roles in the Updating Process

The coordination group of the national examination led and guided the updating work. The group included representatives from Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences and Tampere University of Applied Sciences. During this contract period (2024–2026), Laurea served as the responsible coordinating institution.

Members of the Coordination Group

• Erja Annola, Senior Lecturer, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
• Kaija Marttila, Senior Lecturer, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
• Hannele Tyrväinen, Senior Lecturer, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences
• Pia Mäenpää, Senior Lecturer, Oulu University of Applied Sciences
• Marja Silén-Lipponen, Principal Lecturer, Savonia University of Applied Sciences
• Riitta Riikonen, Senior Lecturer, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
• Rami Yli-Villamo, Senior Lecturer, Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Literature Review Team

• Niina Glerean, Senior Lecturer, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
• Marja Silén-Lipponen, Principal Lecturer, Savonia University of Applied Sciences

Competence Area Working Groups

The working groups for each competence area updated the competence requirements and their content in different phases of the process. The working groups included expert educators from 13 universities of applied sciences: Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, LAB University of Applied Sciences, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, South‑Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University of Applied Sciences and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences.

The task of the Expert Panels (Phases 1 and 2) was to assess the relevance, clarity, and comprehensiveness of the competence requirements and to propose necessary additions to strengthen the reliability of the updating process. The expert panels represented a broad range of nursing sectors and included experts in clinical practice, leadership, education, and research from across Finland.

Steering Group of the National Examination

The steering group monitored and guided the progress of the updating process.

Members:

• Chair: Salla Seppänen, Director of Social and Health sector unit, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
• Heljä Lundgrén-Laine, Director, Nursing Research Center (NRC), HUS; Chair, Finnish Nurses Association
• Kaija Leino, Chief Nursing Officer, Wellbeing Services County of Pirkanmaa
• Terhi Saaranen, Professor (Nursing Science, Health Pedagogy), University of Eastern Finland
• Annukka Tuomikoski, Senior Nursing Specialist, Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia
• Leena Salminen, Professor, University of Turku / from 1 September: Heli Virtanen, Professor of Health Pedagogy, University of Turku
• Hanna-Leena Melender, Director of Nursing Excellence, HUS
• Päivi Nygren, Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, STM, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health / from 1 September: Piia Suvivuo, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Progress of the Updating Process

Literature Search and Quality Assessment of the Material (11–12/2024)

Finnish- and English-language articles (2019–2024) on the core competencies of a general registered nurse were searched from the following databases: CINAHL (Ebsco), Medline (Ovid) / PubMed (Medline), ERIC, and Medic. The search produced 10,000 articles, of which 54 full-text articles describing nursing competencies were included. The quality of the research articles was assessed using JBI criteria.

Updating the Competence Requirements and Their Contents in Working Groups (1–4/2025)

The selected articles were reviewed by the working groups from the perspective of each competence area. The groups also reviewed national key documents, project reports, and recommendations (2019–2024) relevant to nursing competence requirements.

Compiling the Competence Requirements (4–5/2025)

The coordination group compiled all competence requirements and examined the nurse’s competences. The competence requirements were formulated to describe the essential core competences. Requirements were listed only once, overlaps were removed, and all content was expressed using uniform and clearly understandable terminology.

Expert Panel Evaluation Phases 1 and 2 (6–10/2025)

Expert Panel 1 (n=111) and Panel 2 (n=47) included professionals and specialists from various nursing fields.

Finalization and Translation into English (11–12/2025)

The final report will be published in Theseus during autumn 2026.

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