HOW TO BECOME A NURSE IN GERMANY
An Overview of German Nursing Practices
1. The Pathway of Careers
2. Germany’s Nurse Salary
3. Conditions of Work
4. Germany’s Nurse Application
5. FAQs
In Germany, nursing is a highly esteemed profession, and there is always a need for nurses, no matter how prosperous the nation may be. Every working person in Germany is eligible for social security benefits, including retirement, health, and unemployment insurance.
For foreign nurses who are interested in working and living in Germany, our team at 1NURSE.com has gathered all the information they require. All you need is a gallon of patience and a smidgeon of guts to achieve your dreams. Read this article through to learn more.
In order to work as an international nurse in Germany, you must have be:
Qualifications in education
Your registered nurse licence from your own country.
Strong hold of the German language;
mental and physical well-being
no record of any criminal activity
SECTION A:
The Pathway towards a Career
All other nurses holding non-EU/EEA credentials are subject to different restrictions. While they still need to get their qualifications recognized, the process will be more complex and time-consuming. Even while you can typically work as a nurse assistant in the interim, the entire procedure can take up to a year.
If you don’t have a nursing degree, you can always start vocational training in Germany to become a nurse. This judgement is based on your high school graduation and linguistic proficiency, not your nationality.
In Germany, being a nurse typically involves completing a nursing training program, sometimes referred to as vocational training. The program is intended for people who wish to work as nurses in Germany but don’t have the required credentials.
In Germany, registered nurses are referred to as Krankenpfleger and Gesundheitspfleger (health- and sickness-caregivers). In the past, a German nurse’s official title was either Krankenpfleger (for men) or Krankenschwester (for women).
Qualified nurses from other nations are in high demand by hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, outpatient social services, people with disabilities’ dorms, and even vocational institutions. Advanced degree holders in nursing will always be in great demand.
SECTION 2:
Salaryexplorer.com states that the lowest monthly wage for a nurse in Germany is €1,340(approx. 1,21,765 INR), while the highest monthly remuneration is €4,620 (approx.4,19,819 INR). The median monthly salary for nurses is €3,140 (approx.2,85,331 INR), which indicates that half of those working in this field make less than this amount and the other half make more.
Like in any other job, your income will increase with the length of time you work. The average monthly salary for a nurse with less than two years of experience is about €1,520(1,38,122 INR).
An individual with two to five years of experience may anticipate a monthly salary of €2,020(approx.1,83,557INR) which is 34% greater than that of an individual with less than two years of experience.
To continue, an individual with five to ten years of experience makes €2,990(approx.2,71,701 INR) a month, which is 48% more than an individual with two to five years of experience.
Section C: Conditions of Work
Patient-Nurse Ratio: The average patient-to-nurse ratio in the German RN4Cast hospitals under investigation was 10:1.
Hospital Equipment: Germany boasts some of the top hospitals and one of the best healthcare systems globally, which will delight foreign visitors. In Germany, there are three types of hospitals: public, private, and nonprofit. The total number of hospitals is just under 2,000.
Working Environment: In addition to an extremely busy daily life, most nurses regularly work long hours and on holidays. Of all the countries in the world, Germany has the most flexible yet tightly regulated working hours. For instance, there are certain hospitals and in-home care companies that offer the opportunity to perform six-night shifts and then take six days off.
Shifts: Nursing professionals in Germany typically work 38–40 hours a week, divided into 7-9 hour shifts. They will probably work shifts no more than five days a week, mostly at night, on weekends, and on holidays.
Patient Safety: Founded as a combined public-private system in the 1880s, the German healthcare system is the oldest in Europe. Because of its physicians, experts, and facilities, it currently has one of the greatest healthcare systems in the world. Patient safety has gained significant attention in German social consciousness in the past ten years. There is now a greater workforce dedicated to enhancing patient safety.
Section D: Germany’s Need for Nurses
Your nationality, place of residence, and nursing degree-granting country are the key determinants of your chances of finding employment as a nurse in Germany.
While some Europeans may have to work hard to get employment and travel to Germany, most Europeans have it easy.
Education
A nursing degree is advised, even if a university degree involving at least three years of study is required if you are from a non-EU nation.
Firm control on the German language
A level B1 or B2 German language proficiency certificate from GOETHE/TELC/OSD is required. There is also a bigger language barrier for foreign nurses. As a nurse, you have to provide care for patients who, for the most part, speak only German.
Additionally, certified nurses are required to document their work in daily health reports for every patient. This requires a high level of language proficiency. You might need a year to acquire the necessary speaking skills.
Evaluation of Qualifications
All other nurses holding non-EU/EEA credentials are subject to different restrictions. While they still need to get their qualifications recognized, the process will be more complex and time-consuming. Even while you can typically work as a nurse assistant in the interim, the entire procedure can take up to a year.
As soon as they obtain a job offer or arrive in Germany, foreign nurses are required to present their degrees and qualifications to the relevant authorities of the federal state in which they reside. If you don’t have a job, you can still ask for acknowledgement
Test of German Language
A nurse must finish the B1 level in German in order to be eligible for assessment by the German Nursing Council. But you have to finish the B2 level in order to work as a registered nurse. Nurses in Germany are qualified to finish the B2 level.
Section E: Type of Visa
You can enter Germany on another type of visa in advance, but you won’t be given a visa to work as a qualified nurse until you’ve been recognized. But as soon as you can, turn in the necessary paperwork to the appropriate government. Keep in mind that a B2 proficiency in German is required.
After working and residing in Germany for four years, a qualified foreign nurse from a non-EU country can apply for a permanent work and residence permit or an extension. After eight years in total, a German citizenship application may be submitted.
Section F: Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q.1 Can someone over 40 years old still work as a nurse in Germany?
Indeed! Age limitations don’t exist. Foreign applicants who meet the primary requirements of speaking German at a B1 or B2 level are welcome to apply at any age. Nursing studies abroad are a prerequisite for direct nursing employment. In Germany, an individual can start an apprenticeship at any age, even if they have never studied nursing.
Q.2 Which exam do I need to pass in order to get hired in Germany?
A nurse must achieve the B1 level of German language proficiency in order to submit an application for assessment to the German Nursing Council. Nonetheless, in order to become a registered nurse, you must finish the B2 level. Nurses in Germany are qualified with a B2 diploma.
Q.3 What will be the total processing fee to start working as a nurse in germany?
There are high chances that the processing fee is sponsored by your hospital/employer in germany. If not
Our services mentioned below will cost you approx. INR 1,20,000/-
- Visa assistance
- German classes- upto B1
- Interview preparation
Q.4 How can we invite our Spouse there?
We help your spouse to travel to Germany on a visitor visa and we process their visa to visit you there.