Oda has reason to smile – other physiotherapists can work for free – NRK Vestland
– I do not know exactly how the others finance it. But more people will probably take out consumer loans or get some support from Nav, says Oda Sodefjed Tørnkvist.
She is one of around a hundred Norwegian physiotherapy students who received a shock message during their studies in Denmark.
You will not receive authorization in Norway when you have completed your education, was the message.
– It feels very unfair. That was not the starting point when we started, she says.
Not entitled to a single kroner
In February 2020, the rules for Nordic co-operation were changed.
The reason was a complaint from other EU countries, says Stian Engen in the Physiotherapy Association.
– It is difficult to regret that the changes came in the middle of the study process.
In an e-mail to NRK, State Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Karl Kristian Bekeng, writes that the EEA regulations do not allow for a special scheme.
– It is a risk to choose education abroad. The regulations may change continuously in both the EU and in Norway.
Thus, everyone who comes from abroad must have one year in rotation service. This year they are not entitled to a single kroner. In comparison, those who have studied in Norway receive 90 percent of the basic salary during practice.
No employers are required to provide students from Denmark with jobs.
I do not have an attitude towards Oda
In Sunnfjord municipality, there has long been a shortage of physiotherapists due to a lack of physiotherapists. When the crisis was greatest, they had to bring in substitutes at short notice.
The unit leader for physio / ergo services, Marita Brandsøy Lystad, contacted the students in Denmark before Christmas. Can anyone come at short notice to the small town of Skei in Western Norway?
So Oda responded to challenges, threw Lystad around and extended the temporary position to a rotation position of six months.
– Actually, we only had a temporary position for three to four months, says Lystad.
Thus, Oda can afford to take another six months unpaid another city.
– I do not know how I would have made it go around financially without this offer. I want to work as a physiotherapist, says Oda.
Draw the winning ticket
– I’m so incredibly lucky. Most people just go and wait, and try to find someone who will accept them, says Oda.
Unit leader Lystad says they were lucky that the municipality had the resources to pay Oda for the job she does.
– I also fully understand that many municipalities can not afford this. But we had funds, and it’s great to have Oda in place to relieve us.