Once a nurse, always a nurse

Heads nod in agreement when Birgitte Krusell and Susanne Grønne, both senior nurses with long careers in the healthcare sector, visit Sundhedsdansk, a specialized Danish language course aimed at healthcare professionals.

The students, qualified nurses primarily from Sri Lanka, relate to the professional identity that nurses carry with them wherever they go, regardless of the job they hold. Geriatrics is of particular interest, and they eagerly absorb valuable knowledge about Denmark’s local healthcare system, interdisciplinary teams, the role of social and healthcare assistants (SSAs) in both hospitals and elderly care, working conditions, treatment waiting-time guarantees, differences between the public and private sectors, and much more.

The dream of working in the Danish healthcare sector remains strong, and throughout the course there has been a significant shift in the students’ focus—from nursing to elderly care.