As reported by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange:
Nostrifikation is a procedure leading to the determination of the Polish equivalent of a foreign diploma. Nostrifikation applies to a diploma obtained after completing studies abroad that cannot be recognized as equivalent to the corresponding Polish diploma and professional title under an international agreement determining equivalence.
Under the government’s special legislation, refugees from Ukraine may benefit from a simplified nostrification process. One example is Ms Swietłana, who currently works at the Regional Specialist Hospital in Legnica.
Before the outbreak of the war, Ms Swietłana lived and worked in Kyiv. She was a family doctor specializing in gastroenterology.
She arrived in Poland on March 3. She chose Legnica because a friend of hers was already there and she initially stayed with her.
She currently works in the emergency department, but ultimately would like to return to her specialization. To make that happen, however, she must complete the nostrification process. It takes about a month. And, which is a major convenience, she does not have to take a language exam.
There are currently 20 Ukrainian citizens working at the Legnica Regional Specialist Hospital, including 8 people employed before the outbreak of the war. One refugee doctor has already been employed in their profession, while two others are in the process of completing the formalities.
During the transitional period, medical professionals who have not yet completed the nostrification process are employed as patient care assistants. They accompany doctors, learn, and become familiar with procedures and medical terminology. They do not participate directly in treatment. As the hospital spokesperson admits, Ukrainians who already work at the facility are performing well, both in terms of medical knowledge and the speed at which they are learning Polish.
Moreover, the hospital is helping educated people who have found themselves in a difficult life situation, while also filling staffing shortages.
What is the situation in Bolesławiec?
As istotne.pl was informed by Kamil Barczyk, head of the Healthcare Team in Bolesławiec, around a dozen refugees from Ukraine work at our hospital, but not one of them is a doctor. The facility is, however, in contact with four Ukrainian doctors who may be employed by the Healthcare Team after completing nostrification.