Kollega till kollega (Colleague to colleague) is a cooperation between the Swedish association of nurses, the Swedish association of health professionals and the Swedish union of midwives.

Inger Torpenberg from the Swedish Association of Health Professionals made the suggestion and together with Birgitta Wannberg, president of the association of retired nurses in Stockholm, started the network Sponsorship for nurses who come to Sweden from other countries. Since then, representatives from the Swedish association of health professionals and the Swedish union of midwives have met with all the participants of the network and contributed to the initiative, which is now called Kollega till kollega.

Birgitta Wannberg tells Feministiskt perspektiv that it all started with newly arrived colleagues being invited to language cafés in order to get to know each other.

– It turned out getting a job was high on the wish list of the target group, she says.

Erik Magnusson, project manager for the training of nurses from third countries on the National board of health and welfare, was invited for talks. Another time, Rozita Afkhami Sadoughi, a midwife from Iran and representatives of the Swedish association of health professionals, talked about her experience in the profession and the profession, and the momentum she needed to cope with getting qualification as a Swedish nurse and midwife.

– A smaller group also gathered several times and had an excellent exchange and support within health care. We intend to be flexible and perhaps several smaller groups will be formed to meet on the basis of common professional and social interests, Birgitta adds.

How are activities financed?

– We all work for free, and so far the Swedish association of nurses have sponsored us with nice rooms in the Nurses’ house and good coffee.