Core elements of functionally bilingual nursing education—A descriptive qualitative study

AIM: To describe functionally bilingual nursing education. BACKGROUND: Functionally bilingual nursing education, where students simultaneously complete a nursing degree and acquire the local language, has been developed to alleviate the global issue of nurse shortages. Qualitative research exploring how language-integrated nursing education is implemented in practice is limited. DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study. METHODS: Data were collected through individual thematic interviews with teachers (n = 13) and analysed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Functionally bilingual nursing education consists of three core elements: 1) linguistically aware teaching and guidance, 2) integration of the local language and 3) linguistically supported clinical practice. The collaboration between nursing and language teachers, whose complementary expertise ensures both discipline-specific rigour and language-aware pedagogy, is central. Functionality operates as both a theoretical foundation and a pedagogical choice: flipped learning, authentic learning environments and active student participation place the local language at the core of classroom. In clinical practice, language-matched placements and language agreements support students, supervisors and work communities in adopting language-aware practices. CONCLUSIONS: Functionally bilingual nursing education responds to staff shortages and increases linguistic and cultural diversity. By emphasising functional language learning pedagogy, language is positioned not as a separate prerequisite but as an integral part of professional competence. This approach supports equitable learning, sustainable workforce integration and ethically grounded pathways for international students into European labour markets and is relevant beyond nursing. Further research should assess effectiveness using mixed methods and experimental designs, incorporate various stakeholders' perspectives and examine feasibility and impact in other professional fields.