Michael André Helnes Mortensen

Field of work

Michael  Mortensen is a researcher and assistant professor at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), where he has been employed since 2018. Through studies, work, and stays in France, Catalonia, and Switzerland, he has developed cross-cultural competence that enriches both his academic work and professional career.

Mortensen has a background as an intensive care nurse with experience from larger intensive care units in Norway and abroad, particularly in the treatment and follow-up of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. He also has experience from medical intensive care units and has gained solid knowledge in emergency medicine through work in the emergency services. This clinical experience forms an important foundation for his teaching and research.

Since 2021, Mortensen has been a Phd candidate on the PhD project "Work by Heart," which examines sick leave after heart surgery. The study is the first in Norway to combine register-based analyses with qualitative interviews to explore gender differences in return to work after heart surgery. In particular, the project examines the duration of sick leave after five different types of cardiac surgery and provides a new, holistic perspective on the systemic, clinical, and individual factors that affect the process of returning to work.

International experience and responsibility:

Mortensen has a strong commitment to internationalisation in health education and research. He is the international coordinator for the intensive education at HVL and has established an exchange program for students and teachers in collaboration with Charles University in Prague. From 1 July 2024, he will be staying at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, where he will continue his research work and expand his international network. His stay in Australia reflects his goal of integrating global knowledge and best practices into his teaching and research.

Simulation-based education:

Mortensen is also active as a facilitator in simulation-based education at HVL. He develops and leads advanced simulation scenarios that prepare students to handle complex and critical situations in clinical practice. Through simulation teaching, he helps strengthen students' clinical decision-making skills, collaboration skills, and preparedness under pressure.

Teaches

• Intensive care nursing
• Nursing
• Simulation
• Hemodynamics
• Nutrition for the critically ill patient
• Systematic Clinical Examination and Assessment (SKUV)
• Practical skills training in intensive care nursing

Researching

• Returning to work after heart surgery
• Patient safety
• Simulation methodology

Research groups

• POPS

Languages

• English
• French
• Spanish
• Catalan