SDU in partnership with Greenland: Master’s degree programme to strengthen nursing care

Greenland faces major challenges in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals. As part of a targeted effort to strengthen nursing care, the Greenlandic Healthcare System, Ilisimatusarfik and SDU have joined forces to offer further education—primarily to nurses in Greenland. The partnership means that the nurses remain in Greenland, continuing to work while also studying at SDU.

Fifteen students have been admitted to the first cohort and will begin the part-time programme after the summer break.

– We are proud to contribute with a flexible and practice-oriented model of education that supports competence development within the Greenlandic healthcare system, says Merete Munk, Head of Education and Secretariat at the Faculty of Health Sciences, SDU.

The strong interest in further education has been warmly welcomed by the Greenlandic Healthcare System, where there has long been a clear need for local continuing education at a high level.

– This is the first time we can offer this type of further education in Greenland—and we are very pleased with the high level of interest. Previously, we sent just one or two nurses to Denmark for further education each year, so the fact that we already have 15 students in the first year of offering the programme in Greenland shows that we are meeting a real need, says Ella Skifte, Deputy Director of the Greenlandic Healthcare System’s regional units.

Education closely linked to clinical practice

The part-time Master’s degree programme in Advanced Clinical Nursing (APN) runs for four years. Students typically work three days a week and study for two. Teaching is delivered online by SDU in collaboration with Ilisimatusarfik.

The programme enables nurses to maintain both their employment and income while studying. It is funded through a continuing education fund under the Greenlandic Healthcare System.

The opportunity to stay in their jobs and remain part of everyday clinical life is crucial for many nurses.

– It’s a big decision to leave your family, home and community for two years. Now they can take the degree here at home—and stay connected to clinical practice, explains Aka Olesen, Deputy Director at Queen Ingrid’s Hospital in Nuuk.

A long-term investment in professional development

According to Greenlandic health authorities, expectations for the programme are high. In addition to offering further education without the need for travel abroad, the programme is expected to improve care quality and help ensure more stable staffing levels.

Both health authorities and clinical managers expect the programme to enhance professional competence while also improving staff retention and job satisfaction among nurses.

– In the past, it’s been a problem that our nurses had to leave Greenland to further their education—and many didn’t return. With this new initiative, we’re bringing the competences to Greenland instead of sending people away, so we’re really looking forward to getting started, says Anna Kleist Egede, Head of the Institute for Health and Nature at Ilisimatusarfik.