hjúkrunar

Hjúkrunar, or nursing, is the profession focused on promoting health, preventing illness, and caring for individuals, families, and communities. Nurses assess health needs, plan and deliver care, monitor outcomes, administer medications within scope, and educate patients and families to support self-management. They work collaboratively with physicians, therapists, social workers, and other professionals to coordinate care and facilitate recovery, rehabilitation, and palliative support as appropriate.

In Iceland, hjúkrunar is a regulated health profession. Practitioners typically require a nursing degree and licensure to practice. Education is offered at universities and colleges in Iceland and includes theoretical coursework and supervised clinical practice. A bachelor’s degree in nursing is the common pathway, with opportunities for postgraduate specialization and continued professional development.

Nurses are employed across hospitals, primary health care centers, long-term care facilities, and home-health services. They may specialize in adult, pediatric, mental health, or community health fields, and increasingly engage in public health, health promotion, and digital health initiatives. Their work often involves direct patient care, care coordination, discharge planning, and support for families and caregivers.

Practice is guided by patient safety, confidentiality, informed consent, and equity of access. Professional standards are maintained by national bodies that promote quality care, ethics, and ongoing education. The Icelandic nursing profession continues to adapt to changing healthcare needs, with growing emphasis on community-based and interprofessional care, workforce planning, and the integration of technology and evidence-based practice.