Hello. My husband has been ruminating on the idea of returning back home to Sweden. Living and working there will depend on several factors. The biggest concern we have is work, especially for me.

I am licensed in the US as family nurse practitioner. I see, assess, and treat my own patients without the supervision of a physician. I believe the equivalent role in Sweden is avancerad specialistsjuksköterska (AS)... but I am wondering a few things, which I hope you can give me insight.

1. It's a fairly new role in Sweden. Are Swedes familiar with this role and comfortable seeing an AS v. a GP?
2. Is the role of an AS confined to a specialty, like geriatrics?
3. Are there big distinctions between an AS v. a GP?
4. Is there any demand for an AS? (i.e., would I have trouble finding a job in this role -- providing that I become fluent in Swedish and pass all licensing requirements?)

I know that language will be a factor for me. I have read on several other discussion threads about taking SFA Medicin/Vård and being fluent in Swedish before I can even work in health care. I accept this responsibility fully, as it only makes sense to be able to speak to patients in their language to provide the best possible care.

Any information provided is greatly appreciated!

I will admit I don't know for certain, but since no one has responded here I will say that this sounds a lot like the role of

distriktssjuksjuterska - I know they see patients independently, and I think they have some prescription rights as well. I don't think the role is very new, but I'm not sure. My SIL was hoping to continue and get a degree in this, but you need to have a few years work experience before you can be accepted to the master's program.

There are differences between seeing a DS and a GP, and I think most Swedes are aware of it being different, but maybe just in title?

I don't know. And no idea on demand, but there seems to be a pretty big demand for medical professionals in general.

Sorry I can't be of more help, I will ask my SIL if I see her soon!

Yes, disktrikssköterskor see patients independently, and you have to work as a nurse for a few years before you study to distrikssköterska.

And it is not new, they have been around for many years.

To work as a nurse here you have to get a licence. The first step i learning swedish, but there is more to it, read more here:
http://www.socialstyrelsen.se/applicationforswedishlicencetopractiseothercountries

Thanks for the input! My searching for information online has been limited to Google, so I may be misinformed.

I saw an international nurse practitioner conference that discussed introducing the "nurse practitioner" role to Sweden (dated 2003). So, this is where I came to the thought of the role being fairly new.

I also saw the following educational info offering: http://www.his.se/avs , which discusses attaining the role of "avancerad specialistsjuksköterska." Is this title essentially the same thing as a distriktsjuksköterska?

Thanks for the link, Swede. It does look quite involved to attain a nursing licence. There was also some information on the socialstyrelsen re: applying with a specialist nursing position... Any ideas if the "specialist nurse" also means the role of DS?

As far as I understand it, distrikssköterska is a specialised nurse, yes (one of several areas you can be a specialist nurse in, that is). And the advanced part is sort of the next level.

But I could be wrong, this is not really my field. I do know that when I was a kid, 25-30 years ago, it was common to just go see the distrikssköterska.

Hi Schmoopers!

I am a current registered nurse student (almost finished, June, thank goodness).. and this has come up in our education quite a bit due to the scientific research we've had to do, which quite often mentions the nurse practitioner.

Unfortunately, there is no equivalent to Nurse Practioner here in Sweden. As you read, they have been trying to introduce this type of work, but it has not yet happened as far as I understand.

A 'specialistsjuksköterska' is almost exactly what it sounds like, a registered nurse that has taken additional courses to get a higher education and often it is directed towards a certain area, for example emergency care, heart care, intensive care, midwife and so on. I admit to not knowing exactly what an 'avancerad specialistsjuksköterska' is, but from the look of it, it is a more generalized further education in nursing. it could also be an attempt to introduce the Nurse Practitioner into the Swedish workforce.

It could be that you would qualify as a distriktsköterska, as they have a little more leeway with writing prescriptions and seeing patients, but this also involves going out and making home visits and such. You would be working with a lot of older people for the most part. I'm sure it is something you can investigate further while you are learning Swedish. It is also not uncommon that registered nurses take care of patients here too, to a certain level at any rate. I have seen cases where they do just about everything except give an actual diagnose.

Also, I am quite certain specialized nurses are in high demand here as are registered nurses, but unfortunately, the pay is not super great. It is still considered 'female' work.

I would suggest filling out the link swede provided with socialstyrelsen and when you get settled, contact your local 'landstinget' for information on what types of jobs are available with your education as a Nurse Practitioner.

Good luck!

PS..You can always become a doctor!

Thanks so much for the input, MsEmme!

I thought that perhaps my research led me to an equivalent to the NP role in Sweden, but not quite (certainly close!).

I appreciate all the information you have given. Any ideas as to where I can find more information on paygrades?

Best of luck with nursing school! You are almost done! I also teach at university here and all the work that senior nursing students put into their final courses require a lot of work (for no pay).

P.S. I don't know if I want to go through all the schooling again just to become a doctor.

Hej igen!

I tried to respond earlier, but had some problems.

My guess would be to check out Vårdförbundet when you come (the union). They should have any salary information, which can vary from län to län.

Oj, working on our C-Uppsats now and then one last internship in the spring which I am really looking forward too!!

Good luck!

My Sambo Works as a specialized nurse in the ambulance and it is one of the highest paying positions for the nursing field from what I understand, it is not a lot of money... I know she often has a lot of frustrations due to lack of resources. But you may want to see about moving in to that field if you are unsure of your specialization...

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Originally posted by Schmoopers:
Hello. My husband has been ruminating on the idea of returning back home to Sweden. Living and working there will depend on several factors. The biggest concern we have is work, especially for me.

I am licensed in the US as family nurse practitioner. I see, assess, and treat my own patients without the supervision of a physician. I believe the equivalent role in Sweden is avancerad specialistsjuksköterska (AS)... but I am wondering a few things, which I hope you can give me insight.

1. It's a fairly new role in Sweden. Are Swedes familiar with this role and comfortable seeing an AS v. a GP?
2. Is the role of an AS confined to a specialty, like geriatrics?
3. Are there big distinctions between an AS v. a GP?
4. Is there any demand for an AS? (i.e., would I have trouble finding a job in this role -- providing that I become fluent in Swedish and pass all licensing requirements?)

I know that language will be a factor for me. I have read on several other discussion threads about taking SFA Medicin/Vård and being fluent in Swedish before I can even work in health care. I accept this responsibility fully, as it only makes sense to be able to speak to patients in their language to provide the best possible care.

Any information provided is greatly appreciated!

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