A dream of meaningful work
Three years ago, Ridma moved to Finland with her family in search of a fresh start. She chose to pursue the Nursing degree at SAMK, inspired by a long-standing wish to help others.
– I like to do something new and meaningful in my life. Also, when I was small, I liked to help people, and I felt nursing was a very meaningful job, as it is always about people and their well-being. I especially like the nursing role in Finland, as the nurse’s role is very wide and respected in Finland.
Learning through practice
For Ridma, practical training was the most memorable part of her studies. As a hands-on learner, she valued the opportunity to explore different nursing settings and set her own goals for growth.
– Personally, my favourite was the practical training. I am a very active person, and I like to get engaged in things rather than traditional classroom teaching. In practical training, I get the chance to see different types of nursing settings and learn something new.
She recalls her trainings as meaningful and engaging, with mentors who were always supportive in helping her reach her goals. As a self-learner, she entered each placement with clear objectives and motivation.
From studies to working life
Today, Ridma is working as a Registered Nurse (Sairaanhoitaja) at Pori city hospital. In the general medicine ward, she cares for patients with a wide range of conditions, from cerebral infarction and stroke to short-term acute cases that need further treatment. She takes part in both medical procedures and broader nursing care, providing assessments and follow-up for patients arriving from the emergency room or other wards.
She believes her education at SAMK prepared her well for the demands of working life.
– The lecturers at SAMK who teach nursing are real-life nurses. From them, I got some good role models to become a nurse.
Ridma also points out specific moments with teachers, such as learning blood transfusions with Johanna Simon Bellamy or arranging medicine with guidance from Anna Sofia Salminen. That support became a stepping stone towards her professional confidence.
A profession in demand
Ridma’s thesis, Orientation material in English language for the Treatment ward (T2), developed practical materials to support the ward’s work in English. Like many in her field, she found plenty of opportunities to continue after graduation, as nurses remain in high demand across Finland.
She warmly recommends SAMK to others, noting that her studies helped her to develop personally and professionally while fulfilling a lifelong dream.
