Finding experienced nurses for hospitals can be a challenge, especially in specialized units. Erik Thomassen, department head at the lung and geriatric ward at Telemark Hospital, knows this all too well.
“It is challenging to find experienced nurses for the hospital,” says Thomassen.
Fortunately, Dignus Medical was able to assist, introducing the hospital to Stephen Declercq, an experienced nurse from Belgium with additional work experience in Germany.
A smooth transition to Norway
Stephen has now been working at the lung and geriatric ward in Skien for over six months, and he couldn’t be happier with his decision to move.
“I like it here. On the ward, I am responsible for five or six patients. I wanted structured working conditions in a smaller city, and that’s exactly what I found in Skien,” says Stephen.
When Dignus Medical first reached out to him about job opportunities in Norway and Sweden, he quickly knew where he wanted to go.
“They asked me if I wanted to work in Norway or Sweden, and I immediately felt that Norway was the right choice for me,” he says.
Section manager Erik Thomassen (left) is pleased with the recruitment assistance from Dignus Medical, and most importantly, with the new nurse, Stephen Declercq.
A valuable addition to the team
Stephen’s dedication and preparation before starting in Norway have been crucial to his success.
“It is clear that he put in a lot of effort before coming here. His language training, personal motivation and commitment have been excellent. His experience is incredibly valuable to us,” says department head Thomassen.
In addition to Stephen’s strong background, Dignus Medical’s thorough follow-up has also been highly appreciated.
“The support from Dignus Medical has been outstanding. They ensured a smooth recruitment process and provided excellent follow-up,” Thomassen adds.
Fully vetted and ready to work
When Dignus Medical assists with recruitment, the process is thorough and structured. They handle everything from reference checks and professional qualification verifications to language training, ensuring that nurses are well-prepared before starting their new jobs.
This comprehensive recruitment service is something Thomassen values.
“Everything that normally falls on the hospital during direct hiring – like checking qualifications, organizing language courses and conducting reference checks – Dignus Medical takes care of. That has been a great help,” he says.
A growing demand for nurses
Norway is currently facing a shortage of over 14,000 healthcare professionals, making international recruitment more important than ever. Dignus Medical actively recruits across the EU, ensuring that qualified nurses are ready to start working in Norway.
With a strong recruitment process and personalized support, Dignus Medical continues to help hospitals find highly skilled and motivated nurses like Stephen – ready to make a difference in Scandinavian healthcare.
The article was written by Schibsted Partnerstudio.