Master’s Degree Program in Advanced Practice Nursing
Vaasa, Finland
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 9,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* the application period begins from 8 Jan 2025
** for students from partner countries | EUR 4500 per year for students from program countries
Key Summary
Introduction
The Master’s Degree Programme in Advanced Practice Nursing programme in Clinical Caring Science offers advanced clinical competencies for practice nurses. After completing this programme you will be able to practice in wider areas of responsibility, work independently in advanced clinical roles, provide direct healthcare services to individuals, families and communities, influence clinical healthcare outcomes, as well as contribute to the development of evidence-based healthcare services. Completed studies will result in a Master of Health Sciences degree.
This two-year programme of 120 ECTS follows the International Council of Nurses’ recommendations for Advanced Practice Nursing. The overall learning outcome is that students will gain advanced clinical competencies to work as advanced practice nurses, and skills to care for adults and older people with acute health problems and/or patients with complex and long-term health conditions.
The ageing population and the increasing number of people with long-term and multiple illnesses is a growing challenge. New types of skills and services are required for care, rehabilitation and prevention, as well as service coordination and informal family caregiving. Nurses will increasingly be responsible for monitoring the condition of patients with acute and long-term illnesses and bear primary responsibility, as well as provide support and/or consultant services to other healthcare professionals emphasising professional collaboration. In addition, shortening hospital stays and more advanced treatment methods will increase the need for in-depth nursing expertise in primary and specialized health care.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN; 2004) define an advanced practice nurse as: “A registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice, the characteristics of which are shaped by the context and/or country in which s/he is credentialed to practice.”
According to the Nordic model of APN the core competencies are direct clinical care, ethical decision-making, coaching and guidance (health pedagogical methods), collaboration, consultation, case management, research and development, and leadership (clinical, system and health policy). Readiness for advanced, systematic and clinical assessment and clinical decision-making is a central key competence. A registered nurse with a master's degree in APN can work independently, systematically assess patients’ need for care as well as treat and monitor certain common health problems and illnesses. In addition, s/he is responsible for promoting health and developing evidence-based nursing while engaging in multidisciplinary cooperation.
According to research, advanced practice nurses contribute to high-quality care and, especially improved patient satisfaction and patient safety.
Admissions
Curriculum
- Advanced Studies in Health Care Science
- Introduction to Advanced Practice Nursing
- Leadership of Human Resources in the Welfare Sector
- Research Methods I
- Qualitative Method
- Theory of Science, Philosophy and Methodology
- Scientific Specialisation
- Thesis Seminar (in English)
- Master’s Thesis, Part 1
- Master’s Thesis, Part 2 (in English)
- Master’s Thesis, Part 3 (in English)
- Thesis Seminar (in English)
- Master’s Thesis, Part 1
- Master’s Thesis, Part 2 (in English)
- Master’s Thesis, Part 3 (in English)
- Language Response for Master’s Thesis
- Other Studies
- Physical Health Assessment
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology, Care and Treatment
- Clinical Practice 1
- Clinical Practice 2
- Physical Health Assessment
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology, Care and Treatment
- Clinical Practice 1
- Clinical Practice 2
Career Opportunities
A registered nurse with a master's degree in APN can work independently, systematically assess patients’ need for care as well as treat and monitor certain common health problems and illnesses. In addition, s/he is responsible for promoting health and developing evidence-based nursing while engaging in multidisciplinary cooperation.
After completion of this programme, students are eligible to apply for a position in the Åbo Akademi University’s Graduate School as well as other doctoral programmes within Finnish Higher Education Institutions.
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Tuition fee-paying (non-EU/EEA) applicants applying to our master's degree programmes can apply for the Finland scholarship (in connection with applying for studies at Åbo Akademi University).
Finland scholarship/100% Tuition Fee Scholarship (waiver), awarded for 2 years (second year conditional)
- Number of scholarships to be granted: 1/programme
Finland Scholarships awarded by Åbo Akademi University are part of the national Finland Scholarship programme. This scholarship will be awarded to the most merited applicant in each programme.
The Finland scholarship covers 100% of the tuition fee for two years, the second year is conditional and requires that the student has earned at least 55 ECTS during the first year of studies.
In addition, the applicant is awarded a one-time 5000€ relocation grant, which will be paid to the student, to a Finnish bank account, once they have arrived in Turku/Vaasa and enrolled as present for the academic year.
To be considered for the Finland scholarship you must apply for it as part of your application for admission during the application period. Applicants will find, in the application form, a set of questions evaluating motivation and communicative skills, academic goals and general interest in the field. The applicant’s answers will be assessed by the programme and the scholarship committee. The committee decides which applicants will be awarded a Finland scholarship. The decision on the granted scholarship will be included in the admission letter.
Please note that if you are exempted from paying tuition fees, you will no longer be eligible for Finland scholarships.
80% Tuition Fee Scholarship (waiver), awarded for the whole length of the study right
- This scholarship is granted to all admitted applicants liable to pay tuition fees, who have not received a 100% Tuition Fee Scholarship.