Abstract

The global nursing shortage is a significant challenge for healthcare, particularly in regions with limited resources and increasing health needs. Functionally Bilingual Nursing Education Model provides a groundbreaking innovation and a sustainable solution to this issue by integrating the recruitment of international students and language learning into nursing education.

Students can begin their studies without prior proficiency in the destination country's official language, as language acquisition is integrated into the curriculum, saving time by learning the language simultaneously. In Finland, this model has already been successfully implemented with English as the language of instruction and Finnish learned alongside professional studies. Since the model is generic from both a pedagogical and language- learning perspective, it can also be applied to other languages. Additionally, following the ministry's recommendation, Finland is transitioning towards a bilingual educational model in nursing degrees and other sectors facing labor shortages.

Functionally Bilingual Nursing Education is based on blended learning, combining theoretical studies, practical training, and language acquisition. International students are integrated into nursing education from the outset, ensuring that professional language skills are acquired as part of their studies. The program structure enables students to participate in internships and mentoring programs that support both clinical skills and linguistic proficiency. This ensures that graduates are well-prepared to enter the job market and work effectively and culturally sensitively within the healthcare sector of their destination country. This approach not only alleviates workforce shortages in destination countries but also improves healthcare quality and fosters global collaboration in the nursing field. Moreover, the model promotes cultural diversity and inclusivity in healthcare, which is essential in an increasingly international patient population.

Functionally Bilingual Nursing Education Model supports sustainable and responsible workforce mobility while ensuring that future nurses can seamlessly integrate into the healthcare system of their destination country upon graduation. The development and implementation of the Functionally Bilingual Nursing Education Model have been supported by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, ensuring a strong foundation for ethical and sustainable workforce development.

Conclusion: Functionally Bilingual Nursing Education Model offers a comprehensive and innovative approach to addressing global nursing shortage. Its strengths lie in blended learning, work- oriented language education, and ethically sustainable international student recruitment. The uniqueness of this approach lies in its ability to combine language learning with professional training, creating a seamless pathway for international students to become fully integrated healthcare professionals and making it an effective and impactful solution to the global nursing shortage.