Sjúkraliða

Sjúkraliða is the Icelandic feminine term for a nurse. In everyday use, the related masculine form sjúkraliði is also used for male nurses, but sjúkraliða specifically denotes a female nurse. The profession encompasses trained professionals who provide direct patient care, support medical teams, and assist patients and their families in understanding health information. Sjúkraliðar work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, primary care clinics, home health services, long-term care facilities, and community programs.

Education and licensing typically require a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) offered by Icelandic universities or university colleges. The program covers anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, patient care, and clinical practice. After graduation, individuals must be registered and licensed to practice nursing with the appropriate Icelandic health authorities, ensuring adherence to professional standards and patient safety. Many nurses also pursue specializations or additional qualifications to advance their practice.

Duties commonly include conducting nursing assessments, administering medications and treatments within one’s scope of practice, planning and coordinating patient care with physicians and other health professionals, monitoring and documenting patient status, promoting health education, and providing emotional support to patients and families. Workplaces span acute care hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, community health services, and home-based care, with variations in shifts including nights and weekends.

Regulation and professional practice are guided by ethical codes and continuing education requirements set by health authorities in Iceland and by professional bodies. The main professional association for nurses in Iceland is Sjúkraliðafélag Íslands (Icelandic Nurses Association), which advocates for standards of practice, professional development, and worker welfare. The nursing profession in Iceland has evolved from hospital-based training to university-level education and standardized licensing, aligning with broader reforms in the health care system.