Living and working as a nurse in Norway is a rewarding experience you don’t want to miss! The country has a lot to offer: Scandinavian prosperity, beautiful nature and exciting cities. Year after year, Norway is ranked in the top 10 of the happiest countries in the world to live and work in. And it’s for these reasons that many people choose to work in the country. In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about living and working as a nurse in Norway!

Living in Norway

Norway is located in Scandinavia, Northern Europe. It is characterised by fjords, forests, lakes, and glaciers. Over five million people live in Norway. The Norwegian people are generally adventurous and active. They love to explore nature! If you are going to work as a nurse in Norway, you should definitely see the Northern Lights. This beautiful spectacle colours the whole sky bright green, purple, and pink. Norway is one of the best countries to see this natural wonder with your own eyes. Highly recommended! When you go to work in Norway you can do plenty of other cool things too. Travel the country by train, dive into the mountains or fjords, visit historic cathedrals or jump on your skis. Norway has beautiful cities full of cultural museums and cosy restaurants. One of the best countries in the world to live and work in!

Working in Norway

Norway is a peaceful country. This is also reflected in the work culture. Social equality is very important. There is no hierarchy, but politeness and respect are of great value.

In recent years, the Norwegian government has been working hard to fill vacant jobs with foreign workers. The demand is high for educated healthcare professionals and Spanish nurses are very popular among Norwegians.

Healthcare Professionals in Norway

Norway prides itself on the excellent healthcare it provides. The country is known for having one of the most efficient healthcare systems in the world. In Norway, every resident has a right to health care. Health care in Norway is free up to the age of sixteen, as it is for pregnant women.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is the head of the Norwegian health care system. Health care in Norway is administered at four levels: national, provincial, and municipal government (98 percent) and private initiatives (2 percent). Since 1 January 2002, hospitals have been the responsibility of the state. To improve cooperation between the hospitals and achieve a more effective delivery of care, five regions have been created, known as the Regional Hellenic Federation (RHF): East, West, South, Central Norway, and North.

In each region, the usual treatments are carried out; for highly specialised treatments, the care recipient is referred to a university hospital. University hospitals are located in Tromsø, Trondheim, Bergen, Oslo and Stavanger.

Regional hospitals can be found in the larger cities such as Kristiansand, Stavanger, Ålesund, and Lillehammer. In the smaller towns, there are mainly local hospitals where only the regular specialisms are represented. Ten to fifteen smaller hospitals are run based on private or voluntary initiatives, such as the Red Cross and religious organisations.

Happiness

There’s not too much to complain about in Norway. The mix of a well-integrated government welfare system, the feelings of social support, and a thriving economy means that working as a nurse in Norway is a unique opportunity to build a prosperous life in one of the happiest countries in the world. And it all starts with learning Norwegian.