Demand for health care professionals

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There is a need for employees in the health care sector in large parts of the country. The situation will probably continue to be similar in the future. In this work, where the focus is on people and which comes with a high level of responsibility, the training largely defines the tasks and division of labour. There is a need for a wide array of employees in the sector.

According to the Labour Force Barometer, there is a labour shortage in the social welfare, health and wellbeing sector. In particular, the need for nurses and practical nurses will continue in the near future. 

There is a moderate labour shortage in the social welfare, health care and wellbeing sector in the regions of Lapland, North Karelia, South Savo and Ostrobothnia. There is a slight labour shortage in the regions of Southern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, Northern Savo, Häme and Southwest Finland. Other parts of Finland suffer from a labour force mismatch, which means that the skills of unemployed job seekers do not match with open jobs. According to the Labour Force Barometer, the social welfare, health care and wellbeing sector would particularly need more workers with digital competence and language skills. 

Sector with a multitude of opportunities 

The health care sector offers a wide range of tasks and organisations in which to work. The majority of health care professionals are employed by the public sector in municipalities and joint municipal authorities. Approximately one quarter of health service personnel work in companies and organisations providing health care services in the private sector. Some professionals in the field also work abroad, for example, at the Finnish Red Cross and in development cooperation carried out by church organisations. Entrepreneurship is one way to create a career that is a perfect fit. Many professionals in the field are self-employed or have set up their own companies. 

Education and personal interests make it possible to create a career that fits like a glove. Additional training makes it possible to take on new tasks, and digitalisation increases opportunities for remote work also in the health care sector. 

Vocational education and training in the health care sector is provided in upper secondary vocational institutions where it is possible to complete a vocational upper secondary qualification in social and health care. Studies in practical nursing may focus on, for example, emergency care, medical care, patient care or oral and dental care. Universities of applied sciences provide studies in the social welfare and health care sector, often with different specialisations. The qualifications include the degrees of a nurse, public health nurse, midwife, radiological nurse and first-aid worker. At universities, it is possible to study medicine and graduate as a doctor.

Prepare yourself for the joint application process of this spring 

As the joint application process of this spring approaches, you can learn more about the experiences and stories of health care professionals at Job Market Finland and possibly find a suitable profession for you. For those interested in these jobs, the career stories and interviews give a good idea of the work tasks in these professions and the best and most challenging aspects of the work.

These are the important dates for the joint application process for the spring:   

  • The application period for post-basic education is 20 February – 19 March 2024.   
  • The first joint application period for higher education is 3–17 January 2024.   
  • The second joint application period for higher education is 13–27 March 2024.

In the health care sector, a genuine interest in patients and a positive attitude and good interaction skills are essential. If these are in order, the entire work community usually feels well and patient care is delivered smoothly. -Johanna Snäll, Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 

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More information

Labour Force Barometer (tyovoimabarometri.fi)