She describes her experience as a student at HSU as very positive. “It was very comfortable to come here. Many people already knew me before I started – I have cousins who work here and our neighbors are also employed at the institution.”

The placement lasted four weeks. “I really like it – the work is varied and educational.” This semester she was assigned to the internal medicine ward, and in the coming years she will take on diverse projects: community nursing at a primary healthcare center in spring 2027 and home nursing in spring 2028.

What makes the placement particularly special is that her mother, Margrét Björk Ólafsdóttir, is Director of Nursing at the Selfoss primary healthcare center. The mother and daughter therefore share not only an interest in nursing, but also a workplace.

An Exemplary Reception for Students

“As soon as I arrived, I was asked what I felt ready to do and was included in everything. I’ve had the opportunity to visit the outpatient clinic, attend endoscopy procedures and examinations, and get to know many specialists and different fields of nursing,” Glódís says about the student reception. She plans to return to the Selfoss primary healthcare center next year for further clinical training.

According to Margrét Björk, around twenty students complete clinical training at the primary healthcare center each year, although only third- and fourth-year students. In the third year, the focus is on community nursing, where students gain experience in areas such as infant and child health care, school nursing, operating theatre services, primary care reception, services at Litla-Hraun prison, and home hospital projects.

In the fourth year, students move on to home nursing. They come from all over the country – including Reykjavík, Akranes and Vestmannaeyjar – but according to Margrét, home nursing placements within primary healthcare centers in Reykjavík are not offered in the same way as elsewhere. HSU is also the only healthcare institution in Iceland that operates a home hospital service.

Both Studying

It’s not only the students who are studying. Margrét Björk herself is enrolled in a program connected to the University of Iceland in collaboration with partners in Finland. The program focuses on comprehensive geriatric assessment and geriatric nursing. It is a new initiative that greatly sparked Margrét’s interest.

When asked whether they are excited about working together in the coming years, they both smile. Glódís admits she may be slightly nervous and wants to perform well, while Margrét Björk says she is simply very excited.

“Yes, this will be fun,” the mother and daughter say in conclusion.