Govt draws plan to train more nurses

The government has promised five million euros to raise the number of nursing students in institutions of higher education, said an official press release.

"We will add 5 million euros to increase the number of nursing students in the institutions of higher education," said the Minister of Education Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, adding that with the road map in place, the government will develop measure to further raise education in the field.

The government's plan is to raise further the number of nursing student places in the current year. As a quick measure the government has proposed to increase vocational training of practical nurses especially in elderly care by 500 student years this year.

According to the minister, the decision may be put to effect by education institutions to admit new students or offer supplementary education for those with previous training.

The minister said the social and health sector remains attractive despite the falling number of practical nursing applicants.

"The number of practical nursing applicants has already begun to decline. We need to make sure that there will continue to be enough new students in the field, even if the age groups decline," said Grahn-Laasonen.

The minister also revealed that the suitability of applicants for the field must also be ensured, and for this reason, she revealed she had decided to reinstate aptitude tests in student admissions.