The Healthcare Institution of North Iceland
Elín Arnardóttir – First PhD in Nursing from the University of Akureyri
21st November 2025
Elín Arnardóttir, a nurse at HSN, recently became the first person to complete a doctoral degree in nursing from the University of Akureyri. She defended her dissertation at a distinguished and festive ceremony held in the university’s ceremonial hall on Friday, November 14.
From the PhD ceremony at the University of Akureyri.
The dissertation is titled “Prevalence of Prediabetes Symptoms and the Use of Preventive Approaches in Primary Health Care.” Elín’s main supervisor was Dr. Árún K. Sigurðardóttir, Professor at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Akureyri.
“This is an important and historic milestone,” says Guðný Friðriksdóttir, Director of Nursing at HSN.
“Elín is the first to complete a PhD in Nursing from the University of Akureyri and also the first nurse with a doctoral degree in nursing working at HSN. This remarkable achievement reflects Elín’s ambition, professionalism, and perseverance, and it is a significant and historic step for the profession, for us at HSN, and most of all for her personally. We warmly congratulate Elín and thank her for the invaluable contribution she brings to our work.”
We at HSN are extremely proud of this milestone and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Elín.
