FinlandIn Finland the Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for planning the health education curriculum. (http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Koulutus/ammattikorkeakoulutus/hallinto_ohjaus_ja_rahoitus/?lang=fi). In Finland the levels of health professional education are polytechnic diplomas, polytechnic masters, professional specialization and other adult education, open courses polytechnic education and professional teacher training. When applying for a polytechnic student you must be a graduate of an upper secondary school or have a matriculation certificate or a corresponding professional qualification or foreign studies. It takes 3.5 - 4 years (210 - 240 study points) of full-time study to achieve the Bachelor's level of the Polytechnic in Finland. To obtain the Polytechnic Master's degree it takes 1.5 - 2 years (60 - 90 study points). The requirements for Masters studies in polytechnics are a bachelor's level polytechnic diploma and at least three years of work experience. (http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Koulutus/ammattikorkeakoulutus/opiskelu_ja_tutkinnot/?lang=fi) Nursing universities in Finland are reforming. The Finnish Nurses Association and Metropolia Polytechnic have initiated a project “The Future of Nursing Education” to improve and unify polytechnic nursing education nationwide. The main objectives are to unify the contents of nursing education and formulate national minimum requirements for the general professional competences of nurses, considering an EU directive and international demand. For example, all Finnish polytechnic institutes, the Finnish Ministry of Social Policy and Health and the Ministry of Education and Culture participate in this project. In this project, the needs of citizens and society and future challenges will be taken into consideration and foreseen. (http://www.sairaan...... half of the document ......__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/481067/7.3. 3.pdf) German national culture, especially politicians, attribute value to health education and nurses in Germany. Nurses' associations are working hard to gain acceptance for nursing chairs in universities, but are often undermined by politicians who seek the cheapest workforce but not skilled, professional workers. Job satisfaction among German nurses is low due to heavy, noisy work, low wages and low public appreciation of the nursing profession. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursing_in_Germany) From my point of view it is incredible how low the appreciation is in Germany. How can this be so? There are well-educated nurses who do a good job every day. What I read from the issue I think that nurses' associations should work more to make the public aware of the work of nurses.