Uvod: Vloga medicinskih sester v primarni oskrbi pri zgodnjem odkrivanju raka vključuje ovire, med katerimi sta najpogosteje pomanjkanje znanja in podpore, kar kaže na potrebo po izboljšavah v izobraževanju. Ne glede na stopnjo izobrazbe je za medicinske sestre pomembno, da se vključujejo v izobraževanja na področju presejalnega programa raka dojk. Metode: Raziskava je bila kvantitativna in je temeljila na anketnem vprašalniku. V raziskavi je sodelovalo 37 medicinskih sester iz Slovenije in Hrvaške, zaposlenih na primarni ravni zdravstvenega varstva. Analiza podatkov je bila izvedena s programskim paketom SPSS Statistics 27.0. Zbrani podatki so bili obdelani z deskriptivno statistiko. Rezultati: Medicinske sestre v obeh državah so pozitivno ocenile model funkcionalnega izobraževanja ter pridobljene kompetence po izvedenem izobraževanju. Ocene zadovoljstva z modelom funkcionalnega izobraževanja so bile ocenjene nekoliko višje v Sloveniji kot na Hrvaškem. Diskusija in zaključek: V raziskavi so bili preučeni učinki modela funkcionalnega izobraževanja medicinskih sester v Sloveniji in na Hrvaškem. Kljub majhnemu vzorcu raziskava kaže na pomen kontinuiranega strokovnega izobraževanja medicinskih sester. Ključne besede: zdravstvena nega, izobraževanje, javno zdravje, rak dojk Abstract: The role of nurses in primary care in the early detection of cancer includes obstacles, among which the most common is a lack of knowledge and support, which indicates the need for improvements in education. Regardless of the level of education, it is important for nurses to participate in education in the field of breast cancer screening programs. Methods: The research was quantitative and based on a questionnaire. 37 nurses from Slovenia and Croatia, employed at the primary level of health care, participated in the research. Data analysis was performed with the SPSS Statistics 27.0 software package. The collected data were processed with descriptive statistics. Results: Nurses in both countries positively evaluated the model of functional education and the acquired competences after the education. Ratings of satisfaction with the model of functional education were rated slightly higher in Slovenia than in Croatia. Discussion and conclusion: The research examined the effects of the model of functional training of nurses in Slovenia and Croatia. Despite the small sample, the research points to the importance of continuous professional education of nurses. Keywords: nursing, education, public health, breast cancer