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Elin Mordal

Norwegian version of this page Rector Norwegian version of this page

Position

Rector

Contact

+47 71214025

+47 92068010

elin.mordal@himolde.no

Study place

Molde

Office nr.

B120

My responsibilities include overall academic leadership, development, and implementation of strategic goals and visions, as well as maintaining high quality in education, research, and outreach. Additionally, represent the university college internally and externally, maintaining and developing collaborations with other academic institutions, businesses, and the public sector, as well as ensuring an effective and sustainable operation of the university college

Background

Doctoral degree from the Department of Health and Social Sciences at Molde University College, 2017 - 2022. The dissertation was titled "Maternal care in rural Ethiopia - women's and midwives' experiences and practices."
Master's in Social Change, Organization, and Leadership (2009) - Molde University College
Political Science - one-year program (2006) - Molde University College
Pedagogy - one-year program (2006) - Volda University College
Midwifery training - further education (1999) - Bergen University College
Nursing education - bachelor's degree (1990) - Molde Nursing College Professional experience in specialized health services and municipal health services as a nurse and midwife

Research groups

Tags: Rector, Nursing

Mordal, Elin; Hanssen, Ingrid; Kassa, Andargachew & Vatne, Solfrid (2021). Mothers’ experiences and perceptions of facility-based delivery care in rural Ethiopia. Health Services Insights (HSI Journal). 14, p. 1–7. doi: 10.1177/11786329211017684. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
In Ethiopia, delivery wards are a part of primary healthcare services. However, although the maternal mortality rate is very high, approximately 50% of mothers use skilled birth attendants. This study focused on how women in a rural southern district of Ethiopia experience maternity care offered at the local delivery wards. In this qualitative, exploratory study, 19 women who had given birth in a healthcare facility were interviewed in 2019. Individual in-depth interviews were supplemented with observations conducted at 2 different delivery wards in the same district in 2020. Two main themes emerged from the thematic content analysis: increased awareness and safety were the primary reasons for giving birth at a healthcare facility, and traditions and norms affected women’s birth experiences in public maternity wards. The main shortcomings were a shortage of medicine, ambulance not arriving in time, and lack of care at night. For some women, being assisted by a male midwife could be challenging, and the inability to afford necessary medicine made adequate treatment inaccessible. Providing continuous information gave the women a certain feeling of control. Strong family involvement indicated that collectivistic expectations were key to rural delivery wards. The healthcare system must be structured to meet women’s needs. Moreover, managers and midwives should ensure that birthing women receive high-quality, safe, timely, and respectful care. Keywords: Women, childbirth, primary healthcare, person-centered care, rural, Ethiopia, interviews, observation
Mordal, Elin; Hanssen, Ingrid; Biratu, Andargachew Kassa & Vatne, Solfrid (2021). Providing safe maternity care under challenging conditions in rural Ethiopia : a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research. 21(1), p. 1–10. doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-06324-4. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Background: Women’s health and the reduction in the global maternal mortality rate is a research priority worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the structural conditions that influence the maternity care provided for women in rural Ethiopia. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, composed of 28 individual in-depth interviews with midwives and women who had given birth during the past 8 months, and observations of maternity care at health centres and a primary hospital. A thematic analysis was conducted. Results: The midwives do their utmost to save the lives of mothers and prioritise saving lives over providing compassionate care. Inadequate resources, such as equipment, medicine and water, affect the quality of care they provide for the birthing women. This creates a conflict between the midwives’ ideals and what conditions allow them to do. Families and the women’s network play important roles in providing care and support to the women who give birth in health facilities. Conclusions: Structural conditions make it difficult for Ethiopian midwives in rural areas to provide optimal maternity care. In addition to the availability of professional midwifery care, the expectant mothers’ families and networks also tend to provide important support and care. Further studies on how to improve the quality of maternity care from the women’s perspective are needed. Keywords: Maternity care, Childbirth, Structural conditions, Qualitative method, Rural area, Ethiopia.
Bergum, Inger Elisabeth & Mordal, Elin (2020). Repetisjon - en strategi for å opprettholde gode levevaner for personer med diabetes type 2. Tidsskrift for omsorgsforskning. ISSN 2387-5976. 6(3), p. 1–12. doi: 10.18261/issn.2387-5984-2020-03-06. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Den kommunale helse- og omsorgstjenesten er i en oppbyggingsfase i etablering av Startkurs. Startkurs er gruppebasert opplæring for personer med diabetes type 2. Hensikten med denne studien er å belyse hvilken betydning kommunale Startkurs kan ha for påvirkning av levevanene hos personer med diabetes type 2. Studien har et kvalitativt design, basert på individuelle dybdeintervju med syv personer med diabetes type 2. En tematisk analyse viser to hovedfunn: 1) kunnskap som veiviser og 2) vaner og repetisjon for å mestre livet med diabetes. Studien tyder på at slike startkurs kan bidra til kunnskap og motivasjon til å endre levevanene og mestre livet med diabetes type 2, men dette er ikke tilstrekkelig til å opprettholde livsstilsendringer over tid. For at livsstilsendringene skal vare, er sosial støtte, repetisjon av tidligere kunnskap og ny kunnskap nødvendig. Nøkkelord: kronisk sykdom, kommunale pasientopplæringsprogram, selvledelse, kunnskap, mestring
Mordal, Elin; Vatne, Solfrid; Agafari, Hirut Gemeda; Tsegaye, Meseret & Ulvund, Ingeborg (2018). Women’s childbearing location preferences in South Ethiopia : a qualitative study. Health Care for Women International. ISSN 0739-9332. 40(2), p. 138–157. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2018.1526287. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Maternal mortality is unacceptably high in developing countries, and maternal health care service utilization is associated with improved maternal outcomes. We shed light on conditions that influence women’s preferences for childbirth location. Based on a qualitative descriptive design, 25 interviews were conducted with women of childbearing age in Southern Ethiopia in 2015. Previous experience of complications was the most common reason for using skilled attendants at the next childbirth. In addition, women’s limited decision-making authority and knowledge, as well as the quality of health care services and infrastructure, influenced childbirth location preferences. Home birth is still the norm, but there is growing interest in using health facilities and skilled attendants.
Ulvund, Ingeborg & Mordal, Elin (2017). The impact of short term clinical placement in a developing country on nursing students : a qualitative descriptive study. Nurse Education Today. ISSN 0260-6917. 55(August), p. 96–100. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2017.05.013. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Background: Offering nursing students' international clinical placement during the educational program is one response to meet the need of cultural competence among nurses. This paper provides insight into the impact of clinical placement, in a developing country, on third year nursing students. In the study we investigated how short term international clinical placement impacted Norwegian nursing students' development of cultural competency. Design and Methods: In this study we utilised a qualitative descriptive design and used individual interviews with eighteen Norwegian nursing students who had all participated in an international clinical placement. The data were analysed using the principles of systematic text condensation. Results: In spite the international clinical placement only was four weeks, the findings suggested that real life experience culturally awakened the students and forced an ongoing process developing cultural competence. However, it is important to give students time to reflection. Conclusions: Although increased cultural awareness and a growing cultural competence was identified by the students undertaking international clinical placement, further research is required. It is important to investigate the best methods to support the students' reflection such that the experiences lead to learning. Keywords: cultural competency, international clinical placement, nursing students, developing country

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Larsen, Hege; Lie, Tove; Nordby, Kristin Jonassen; Tønnessen, Eva; Whittaker, Sunniva & Bing-Jonsson, Pia Cecilie [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2026). Spente og usikre rektorer venter på styringsverktøy. [Journal]. www.khrono.no. doi: https:/www.khrono.no/spente-og-usikre-rektorer-venter-pa-styringsverktoy/1087963. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Onsdag slipper Eileen Fugelsnes katta ut av sekken og universiteter og høgskoler får vite hva regjeringens nye styringsverktøy, kompetansebudsjettet, inneholder.
Reitan, Marie & Mordal, Elin (2026). Øker antall studenter som tilbys studieplass med flere hundre : over 2800 studenter tilbys studieplass hos Høgskolen i Molde til høsten. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke Pluss. Full text in Research Archive
Sundøy, Pål; Mordal, Elin & Folland, Odd Einar (2026). Satser ni millioner – ansetter professor i Kristiansund. [Journal]. Tidens Krav Pluss. Full text in Research Archive
Strøm, Roar; Aasland, Sigrun Gjerløw; Monsen, Cordelia Velde; Lerøy, Bodil & Mordal, Elin (2026). Vil ha studentene tilbake på campus. [TV]. NRK. doi: https:/tv.nrk.no/serie/distriktsnyheter-moere-og-romsdal/sesong/202605/episode/DKMR98052126. Full text in Research Archive
Kjøpstad, Gjermund; Mordal, Elin & Straumsheim, Jens Petter (2026). Gode søkertall: -Bare ett år har vært bedre. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke. Full text in Research Archive
Larsen, Hege; Tønnessen, Eva; Mordal, Elin & Sande, Erling (2025). Sykepleiekutt i distriktene reverseres i budsjettforlik. [Journal]. khrono.no. doi: https:/www.khrono.no/sykepleiekutt-i-distriktene-reverseres-i-budsjettforlik/1019071. Full text in Research Archive
Kjøpstad, Gjermund & Mordal, Elin (2025). Beholder plasser: – En julegave. [Journal]. rbnett.no. doi: https:/www.rbnett.no/nyheter/n/Okbx9w/beholder-plasser-en-julegave. Full text in Research Archive
Larsen, Hege; Mordal, Elin & Aasland, Sigrun (2025). Opprørt over sykepleiekutt. — Kom som lyn fra klar himmel. [Journal]. www.khrono.no. doi: https:/www.khrono.no/opprort-over-sykepleiekutt-kom-som-lyn-fra-klar-himmel/1015903?utm_campaign=2025-11-19%3A%20No%20f%C3%A5r%20professoren%20opphald%20%2F%2F%20Oppr%C3%B8rt%20over%20sykepleiekutt%20%2F%2F%20Forskningsinstitutt%20m%C3%A5%20nedbemanne&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=header&mm-subscriber=1. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin (2025). Rett fra rektor : stramt budsjettforslag for 2026. doi: https:/panorama.himolde.no/2025/10/21/stramt-budsjettforslag-for-2026/. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Regjeringa har lagt fram forslag til statsbudsjett for 2026, og tala viser korleis løyvingane til universitets- og høgskulesektoren blir justerte. For Høgskolen i Molde (HIM) er det foreslått ei rammetildeling på 347 millionar kroner, mot 363 millionar kroner i saldert budsjett for 2025 som er ein nedgang på 16 millionar. Budsjettet er prisjustert med 13 millionar kroner, men fleire andre postar
Høibo, Karoline Holmboe; Haugstad, Bjørn; Sæbø, Solve; Mordal, Elin; Tønnessen, Eva & Larsen, Hege (2025). Rekordstor sum i ubrukte midler: 7,3 mrd på bok. [Journal]. khrono.no. doi: https:/www.khrono.no/rekordstor-sum-i-ubrukte-midler-73-mrd-pa-bok/1002777. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Larsen, Hege (2025). Får kritikk fra departementet for ikke å bruke nok penger. [Journal]. khrono.no. doi: https:/www.khrono.no/far-kritikk-fra-departementet-for-ikke-a-bruke-nok-penger/1001046. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Høgskolen i Molde har altfor mye penger på bok, ifølge Kunnskapsdepartementet, og risikerer igjen å måtte betale tilbake deler av bevilgningen. Andre får påpakning for å bruke for mye.
Mordal, Elin (2025). Samfunnet trenger din kompetanse – søk høyere utdanning. Tidens Krav. Full text in Research Archive
Nachtigall, Jutta; Grøtta, Eline; Lied, Silje Ims; Røsvoll, Geir; Nordengen, Ela & Mordal, Elin [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2025). Studiet slit i heile landet – men i Volda blir dei stadig fleire. [Internet]. nrk.no/mr. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin (2025). Kunstig intelligens i høyere utdanning. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Mikkelsen, Solveig (2025). Ber om klarsignal for å begynne å jobbe med universitetssøknad. [Journal]. Khrono.no. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin; Frantzen, Bente Weiseth & Sundøy, Pål (2025). Søkertallene klare - dette er de mest populære studiene. [Journal]. Tidens Krav. Full text in Research Archive
Borgen, Jørgen Olsen; Jelsness-Jørgensen, Lars-Petter; Mordal, Elin & Bergseth, Wilma (2025). Få midler til utbygging ved små studiesteder: – Dette vil forhåpentligvis gagne oss i fremtiden. [Journal]. nationen.no. Full text in Research Archive
Haugstad, Bjørn; Viflot, John William; Prestbakmo, Ivar B.; Mordal, Elin; Meling, Lise Karin & Tønnesen, Eva [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). 1107 årsverk visket bort i akademia i 2024. [Journal]. khrono.no. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin; Heggdal, Kolbjørn; Haugen, Ole Helge & Lillebakk, Knut Dørum (2024). Gir millioner til Høgskolen. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke Pluss. Full text in Research Archive
Rånes, Lars Erik Kristiansen; Romundstad, Silje Bergeng; Melbye, Marita Christina Susanne; Mordal, Elin & Haukenes, Eirik (2024). Studentene på plass i Campus Kristiansund. [TV]. tv.nrk.no. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Heiene, Marit (2024). Det er ikke alltid løsninga å avslutte samarbeid med land som Kina. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke Pluss . Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Myhre, Arild (2024). Kraftig vekst i søkningen til høgskolen i Kristiansund og Molde. [Journal]. Tidens Krav. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin (2024). Populært nytt studie i paramedisin i Molde. [Internet]. nrk.no/mr. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin; Nerland, Øystein & Hovde, Katharina (2024). Rekordmange på venteliste på Høgskolen i Molde. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke Pluss . Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Bjørge, Ragnhild (2024). Ber regjeringa satse på høgt akademisk nivå i utdanning av sjukepleiarar. [Journal]. Khrono.no. Full text in Research Archive
Lerøy, Bodil; Hellum, Terje; Mordal, Elin & Ellingseter, Tore (2024). Høgskolen i Molde kan bli universitet. [TV]. NRK1 Møre og Romsdal. Full text in Research Archive
Kvalbein, Astrid; Mordal, Elin; Grande, Tor; Førde, Andreas & Bjørgan, Espen Halvorsen (2024). Blåste i reisene og kuttet utgiftene med en femtedel. [Journal]. khrono.no. Full text in Research Archive
Folland, Nicolay; Hagen, Elise; Broceik, Klaudia; Mordal, Elin & Gjørtz, Emil Madsen (2024). Studentene strømmer til nye Campus Kristiansund: - Vi har hatt en fin økning. [Journal]. Tidens Krav Pluss. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Huseby, Pernille (2024). Så mange studenter er tatt for juks. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke Pluss. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Fusketallene på Høgskolen i Molde er ganske stabile, men to år skiller seg ut.
Mordal, Elin & Bjerkenes, Silje Steinnes (2024). Studiestart i Molde. [Radio]. radio.nrk.no. Full text in Research Archive
Roald, Britt Rakvåg; Mordal, Elin; Forren, Cathrine Emilie Valger & Vingen, Anita (2024). Felles satsing for rekruttering : slik vil dei rekruttere til sjukepleien - og få fleire hit. [Journal]. Romsdals budstikke. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Bjerkeland, Øystein (2024). Næringslivet vil at Høgskolen i Molde blir universitet. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Kjøpstad, Gjermund (2024). Kjempevekst for høgskolen. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin; Lie, Helene Alfeim; Tonheim, Odd Helge Mjellem; Korsnes, Malin Kjellstadli; Strøm, Roar & Ellingseter, Tore (2024). Molde hankar inn søkjarar med nettstudium. [Internet]. NRK Møre og Romsdal. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin; Tønnessen, Eva & Larsen, Hege (2023). Nesten alle høgskoler og universiteter har brukt for lite penger så langt i 2023. [Journal]. khrono.no. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Myklebust, Vidar (2023). Måtte returnere millioner : høgskolen greier ikke å bruke opp pengene de er tildelt. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin; Sevaldsen, Trine Bruseth & Larsen, Lill Sverresdatter (2023). Hadde 127 plasser – bare 42 møtte opp. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke . Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Høgskolen i Molde er ett av flere studiesteder som opplever frafall av studenter til sjukepleierutdanningen. – Det ble enda verre enn fryktet, sier rektor.
Mordal, Elin & Hovde, Katharina (2023). Et stort privilegium : ny rektor på Høskolen i Molde ønsker det kritiske blikket velkommen. [Journal]. Romsdals Budstikke. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Strand, Hilde Kristin (2022). Tok doktorgrad etter fylte 50: — Mest av alt har det vore heilt fantastisk. [Journal]. Khrono.no. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Høgskulelektor Elin Mordal har forska på fødselsomsorg i Etiopia. Den er ganske annleis enn i Noreg.
Mordal, Elin; Vatne, Solfrid; Agafari, Hirut Gemeda; Tsegaye, Meseret & Ulvund, Ingeborg (2019). Women’s childbearing location preferences in Southern Ethiopia : a qualitative study. Full text in Research Archive
Ulvund, Ingeborg & Mordal, Elin (2017). The impact of short term clinical placement in a developing country on nursing students : a qualitative descriptive study. In ., , (Eds.), 38th International Conference on Nursing and Healthcare : October 16-18, 2017, New York, USA : Proceedings. OMICS International. Full text in Research Archive
Bergum, Inger Elisabeth & Mordal, Elin (2017). Tverrprofesjonelt samarbeid i helsefremmende og forebyggende arbeid i kommunesektoren. Full text in Research Archive
Ulvund, Ingeborg & Mordal, Elin (2017). The impact of short term clinical placement in a developing country on nursing students : a qualitative descriptive study. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin & Ulvund, Ingeborg (2016). I Etiopia er fødsel farlig. Full text in Research Archive
Ulvund, Ingeborg & Mordal, Elin (2016). I Etiopia er fødsel farlig. Sykepleien. ISSN 0039-7628. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin (2015). Samfunnsplanlegging og folkehelse. Plan - tidsskrift for samfunnsplanlegging, regional- og byutvikling. ISSN 0805-083X. p. 50–51. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin (2014). Helsemotivasjon. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin (2022). Fødselsomsorg i rurale Etiopia : kvinners og jordmødres erfaringer og praksis. Høgskolen i Molde - Vitenskapelig høgskole i logistikk og Høgskulen i Volda. ISSN 9788279623236. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin (2022). Maternity care in rural Ethiopia : women’s and midwives’ experiences and practice. Høgskolen i Molde - Vitenskapelig høgskole i logistikk og Høgskulen i Volda. ISSN 9788279623243. Full text in Research Archive
Mordal, Elin (2009). Mange går - noen står : hva kjennetegner ledelses- og organisasjonsforståelsen til toppledere som har "overlevd" i helseforetakene etter reformen i 2002? Høgskolen i Molde - Vitenskapelig høgskole i logistikk. Full text in Research Archive

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Published Sep. 3, 2018 3:04 PM - Last modified Jan. 26, 2026 4:19 PM