One sector where there is a strong demand for personnel in Germany is healthcare (doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists, nurses, geriatric care assistants, etc.). The only ones that seem to be in short supply are dentists.
One thing is for sure: there is no shortage of work as a nurse in Germany. In the case of nurses, the subject that concerns us today, given the chronic shortage of personnel, it is possible to find work even if you do not know German. A nurse in Germany has several job opportunities, which we will analyze in detail:
Work as a nurse in Germany in public hospitals
Nursing work in Germany is broadly similar to that in other countries. There may be differences, depending on the hospital, depending on whether you work in a specialized department or not, depending on the doctor in charge of the ward, etc. In any case, the content of the duties is the same in all countries. To work in a public hospital, a diploma in nursing and at least B2 level in German are required. Working conditions, salaries, vacations, etc. They are regulated in the national employment contracts of each sector.
Work as a nurse in Germany in private clinics
Again, the work of a nurse in Germany is the same as in other countries. To work in a private clinic, you also need a degree in nursing and at least B2 level in German. The working conditions in private clinics are based on the agreements that the clinic has with the different professional groups that work in it. This provides a greater opportunity for employees to negotiate directly on salaries, working days, shifts, etc.
Nursing homes and home care
In this case, the tasks to be performed are much less complex and are mainly related to basic patient care. The requirements for working in a nursing home or in home nursing are lower than in hospitals and clinics, and the qualification as a nursing assistant is sufficient. German language skills at B1 level are required. Salaries in nursing homes are generally lower than those in hospitals and clinics.
Work as a nurse in Germany
To work as a nurse in Germany, you must have your nursing degree recognised. The recognition process is simple if you have reached the required B2 language level. The required documents may vary slightly from region to region, but in most cases they are as follows:
- approval application document
- CV in German
- certified copy of passport or identity card
- Application form for admission
- CV in German language
- certified copy of passport or identity card
- certified translation of the original title
- Certificate of residence in Germany
- B2 language certificate issued by an accredited language center
- Certificate of good conduct
- medical certificate
The approval process usually takes between 4 and 8 weeks after all documents have been submitted.
The salary of a nurse in Germany depends on several factors:
- Place of work: hospital, clinic, nursing home, etc.
- Place of work: wages are higher in regions with a higher standard of living
- Educational Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in nursing and any specialization
- Area of work: salaries are higher in some areas (intensive care, resuscitation, dialysis, etc.)
- Work experience and length of service
The net salary of a nurse in Germany ranges from €1,500 to €2,000 per month or more.
There are many agencies that hire foreign nurses. Once the professional has an agreement with one of these agencies, they usually take care of finding a job. Then the company offers courses to reach the B2 level of the German language, but in the meantime it is possible to work as an assistant if desired.
Here are two of these agencies:
- Holalemania, an agency based in Hamburg. There are openings for nurses and other health care professionals. Usually they prefer you to attend a language course in your country until you reach the B2 level of German (estimated time about 5 months), and immediately after that you can sign the employment contract
- 2B1, an agency offering employment opportunities in the healthcare sector in Germany or Switzerland
One last recommendation: when working over the Internet, always beware of fraud or misunderstanding, so I advise you to always put everything in writing.
If you want all the information on how to work in Germany I suggest you read the Guide to working in Germany
