In our lives, there are several stages in which we are dependent on support and care – whether directly after birth, in childhood, due to illness, injury or in old age. Exactly for such situations there are the nursing specialists. The training to become a nurse is very multifaceted. Aimed at different groups of people. Whoever completes it will develop into a real all-rounder in the nursing sector. Here you can find all information about the apprenticeship, the salary, the requirements – and you can apply directly.
New generalist nursing training since 2020
The nursing specialist is still a fairly new training profession, which since January 2020 bundles and replaces the training as a health and nurse, geriatric nurse and health and pediatric nurse. The new training is
generalist, this means that the trainees get to know all areas of care. And: from now on, you will always be paid in this training program!
What does a nursing specialist do?
Since the training to become a nurse has a bundled nursing training is, nursing specialists can later be employed in various nursing professions, which is why the later activities can vary from workplace to workplace.
Occupation in geriatric nursinge: If nursing specialists decide to take a job in geriatric care, they work in retirement homes or assisted living facilities, where they help seniors cope with their daily lives. Assist them with personal hygiene and food intake as well as taking medications, motivate them to engage in meaningful and beneficial activities, and help them with personal matters, such as appointments with doctors or government offices.
Working in (pediatric) nursing: In the field of nursing or pediatric nursing, nursing specialists work in inpatient or outpatient care in clinics or hospitals. There, they are responsible for the care and nursing of patients and carry out simple medical treatments – for example, they change dressings or administer infusions on a doctor's orders. They also prepare surgical interventions, assist with treatments and are responsible for managing patient records.
occupation in the field of curative careAs a nursing specialist in special education nursing, your everyday work revolves around people with disabilities. In addition to nursing, the main task is to support people with a handicap so that they can maintain their independence. For this, care specialists plan excursions and leisure activities. Health care assistants find employment in social institutions, in nursing homes or with outpatient services.
Documentation of measures and administrative activities: Nursing specialists perform this activity in every job description, because it is important to monitor and document the patient's regress and progress. To do this, they carefully maintain the patient's records. Administrative tasks include billing for care services or reordering materials or medications.
Insider: The nursing specialist at Cologne University Hospital
Nursing specialists at the University Hospital Cologne care, advise and provide care sick as well as needy patients – both inpatient, day-care and outpatient.
In addition, they take care of prevention, Rehabilitation and the Health education.
Why should you become a nurse specialist?
After the universal training as a nursing specialist you are in the field of care broadly positioned, can work in various medical and social institutions work and has the choice between different nursing professions. In addition, nursing specialists are needed everywhere, which is why after training you can find a safe workplace has.
3 reasons for the training
Generalist orientation: you get to know all areas of nursing and at the end you know what you enjoy the most.
Super future perspective: nursing specialists are sought everywhere. You have the best future prospects.
A job with meaning: caring for the sick in a healthy way, accompanying the elderly on the last part of their lives – you're really choosing a job with meaning.
Training is generally remunerated
With the introduction of training as a nursing specialist, nursing training is now generally remunerated. Already in the first year of training, prospective nurses receive up to 1.200 Euro gross per month.
Can I now no longer become a nurse for the elderly, a nurse or a pediatric nurse?
The apprenticeships no longer exist as of January 2020. All students start training to become a nursing specialist or a nurse. to become a nurse. But the separate degrees to geriatric nurse and to the health and pediatric nurse are also possible within the framework of the training as a nursing specialist. You can decide on one of the two degrees in the last third of your training if you complete your training in a suitable institution.
If your training company is, for example, a retirement home, you can decide before the last year of training whether you want to continue the generalist training or prefer to graduate as a geriatric nurse. If you choose nursing care for the elderly, you will receive special training in this area in the last third of your training. By then, however, you will have become familiar with all areas of nursing during the generalist training program.
If you are then quite sure that, for example, nursing care for the elderly is exactly your thing, a specialization may make sense for you. Don't worry: You can also work with specialization in all areas of care. But: Unlike the degree in nursing, the separate degrees in geriatric care and child care are not automatically recognized throughout the EU. The recognition must then be checked in individual cases if you want to work abroad. The separate degrees are possible for the time being until 2025. A separate degree as Health care and nursing staff – also known as a nurse – there are already no more.
Old name in the job titles
It may be that you still find the old job names in job advertisements – nevertheless, since January 2020, you are officially training to be a nurse!
Where can I work as a nursing specialist?
As a nursing specialist, you can find employment in hospitals, clinics, retirement homes and other social institutions.
Your workplaces at a glance
Facilities for assisted living
What are the working hours as a nurse?
As a nurse you will work in the following areas 38 to 40 hours the week in the Shift work, why you should be prepared to organize your everyday life flexibly in terms of time. Since patients depend on your help around the clock, you'll also work nights, weekends, and holidays. To compensate for this, you will have another day off during the week.
What work clothes do nursing specialists wear?
In the inpatient service, nursing specialists wear Kasack – which are short-sleeved shirts with a V-neck and side pockets – and a White trousers and medical shoes. This is what the hygiene regulations stipulate.
How does the training to become a nursing specialist work?
The training to become a nursing specialist lasts three years. This is a school-based training program with practical assignments. Training providers can be clinics, hospitals, retirement homes or other social institutions. Either you apply at the company or at the school: Whether you do your training at a nursing school, a vocational school for health care professions, a school for geriatric care or for nursing is irrelevant. After all, all trainees do generalist nursing training. Theory phases at the school alternate with practical phases in various nursing facilities.
Insider: Training at the University Hospital Cologne
The practical part of the training at the University Hospital of Cologne includes internal inpatient and outpatient assignments.
In addition, the trainees at the Uniklink Cologne also make external operations in senior citizen facilities, social welfare centers or private nursing services.
What does a nurse specialist learn during training?
In the vocational school you will learn the difference between the inpatient and outpatient care and the Acute and long-term care The first is for people who need support after an accident for the duration of their recovery, and the second is for people who need support for the rest of their lives.
In addition, you will learn what you need to know when dealing with different groups of people You will have to take care of children, injured and sick people, people with mental illnesses and handicaps, as well as old people. In the training framework plan, eleven learning fields are listed, which the trainees work on in a total of 1900 hours.
1. Training year
Basics at the start of training: In this learning field the trainees are introduced to the work in nursing. They reflect on their experiences and expectations in group discussions, try out patient contact in role-plays and deal with the legal principles. You will deal with the historical development. The social importance of the nursing profession and the patient's right to self-determination.
Assisting patients with exercise and self-careThe trainees learn about concepts for promoting physical activity – after all, a lack of physical activity often leads to a reduction in personal mobility. And this is one of the main reasons why a person becomes in need of care. In addition, the trainees acquire basic nursing skills such as personal hygiene, assistance with eating and the observation of vital functions. They are also trained in the documentation of the nursing process.
Reflection on the care experienceWashing a sick person or helping them to eat – this is an unfamiliar situation for most nursing trainees. Therefore, there is an extra learning field in which the trainees share their experiences and in which they learn to deal with their emotions professionally.
1. to 3. Training year
Health promotion and preventionIn this learning field, the trainees deal, for example, with the causes of health inequalities in the population. They question their professional self-image and consider how they themselves can stay healthy. They also discuss the contradiction between the patient's self-determination and the nurse's duty of care.
Curative processes and patient safetyCurative means healing: In this learning area, trainees acquire medical expertise, for example in surgery and internal medicine, in order to be able to make the correct nursing diagnoses. You will learn how to counsel patients, how the care process is structured and how to communicate with physicians. The schedule includes topics such as wound management, patient discussion and infection prevention.
Acting in acute situationsNursing specialists are often confronted with situations in which they have to act quickly, for example because a patient's life is threatened. They are prepared for such acute situations during training. They learn to make decisions calmly and confidently. Socially sensitive topics such as organ donation and living wills are also discussed.
RehabilitationThe aim of rehabilitative nursing is to enable patients to cope with everyday life independently. This is particularly relevant for people with chronic illnesses or after an accident. Nurses provide information about rehabilitative services and work closely with an interprofessional team of, for example, doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
School-based training, which takes place in a dual system
Officially, the nursing specialist is a school-based training program. On the outside, however, the training meets all the requirements for a dual educationThere is a training salary, equal parts practice and theory, and the training is regulated uniformly throughout Germany.
Further learning fields
Care of patients in the last phase of lifeThe trainees learn how to improve the quality of life of terminally ill patients and their families. It's all about taking steps to prevent and relieve pain. For example, the trainees discuss how to deal with the topic of death in the nursing school. You will learn the basics of palliative care and how to provide emotional support for those affected.
Supporting patients in organizing their livesIn this learning field, trainees are taught how to help people who need care to shape their lives individually. For example, it also deals with leisure activities that might be beneficial for patients. In order to recognize these, the trainees include the life history as well as the social environment of the patients. Empathy is important for this and is trained during the apprenticeship.
Care of children and adolescentsSick infants, children and adolescents may need different treatment than adults. For this reason, the trainees devote a separate learning area to this group. You will also acquire skills in communication and counseling: How do you calm a toddler, how do you discuss treatment with a teenager, to what extent do you involve parents? Such questions are clarified here.
Care of patients with psychological problems: Mental illnesses such as depression, addiction or dementia are common in the population. In this learning field, the trainees are prepared for dealing with sick people. Among other things, it is also about protecting patients from themselves – as well as the environment and ultimately yourself as a caregiver.
What is a visit?
A nursing round is a visit by two nurses to a patient in the care facility or at home. During rounds, the patient's progress is recorded and, if necessary, a new need for medication and care measures is determined. The nursing rounds are part of the quality management.
How does the practical training work??
You will complete the majority of your practical training at your training company. Depending on the type of company you train at, you will automatically have a certain Deepening: This can be long-term inpatient care in a nursing home, long-term acute care in a hospital, or outpatient care in a home care agency.
In order to gain experience in all areas of nursing, you will also have assignments in other, external facilities. As a trainee in the hospital, you will also get to know the work of an outpatient nursing service, a home for the elderly, psychiatric care and the care of children and adolescents.
Shortening of the training and part-time training possible
You can train Shorten by one year, if you have already completed training in the field of nursing. You then enter directly into the second year of training. After these trainings you can do the shortened training to become a nurse:
In addition, many training companies also offer training in Part-time to complete. This is particularly interesting for applicants who already have a child. The training then lasts four years.
TipCheck the job advertisement to see if the training is offered on a part-time basis – if not, you can always inquire about this.
What are the requirements for the application as a nursing specialist? Job physically fit. Must be able to work under prere. In addition, for you as for other employees in the health care industry, the Vaccination mandatory against Covid-19.
What you need to bring with you for the training:
Mittlere Reife or. Realschulabschluss
OR secondary school leaving certificate and two years of nursing assistant training
Certificate of health suitability
Vaccination certificates u.a. against Covid-19 (Corona vaccination)
What school-leaving qualification do I need for training as a nurse??
For the generalist nursing training, it is recommended intermediate school leaving certificate. Secondary school diploma is also okay if you have already completed a two-year assistant training program in nursing care.
Relevant school subjects
GermanSince you will have to maintain patient records and document progress, you should be able to express yourself well and write confidently.
BiologyFor this profession you need scientific and medical knowledge, which is why you should be fit in biology. Perhaps you have already studied human anatomy in school, for example – this will be of benefit to you in vocational school.
PedagogyParticularly in the area of pediatric nursing, previous knowledge from pedagogy classes is advantageous, as you will then already have been familiarized with the basics of education and will know the needs of children and adolescents.
What kind of person do I have to be to become a nursing specialist??
HelperHelping other people should be a pleasure for you if you choose a career in care. We can count on your support and you are always happy to lend a hand when someone in your environment needs assistance.
connoisseur of human naturePatients can't always tell you what's wrong with them. Therefore you should have a good knowledge of human nature, so that you can recognize which care measures you need to take in order to improve the well-being of the patient.
Team playerFor a job in nursing, you should have a strong sense of community, especially when it comes to planning joint activities or promoting communication among patients. In addition, coordination within a care team is a must, which is why you coordinate with each other in your day-to-day work.
What does a nursing specialist earn during training?
Generalist training as a nursing specialist is often paid according to collective agreements. According to the collective agreement for trainees of the public service nursing (TVAoD Pflege) you get in the first year of training 1.191 euros gross per month, 1.252 euros in the second and 1.353 Euro in the last year of training. Thus the occupation appears also in our list of the best-paid educations.
The collective agreement applies nationwide. It applies to trainees of public hospitals. Other municipal facilities. For university hospitals, the so-called collective agreement for trainees of the federal states, the TVA-L Pflege, applies in part.
Private or church-run clinics, retirement homes and the like. are mostly remunerated according to their own collective agreements. However, they are also often oriented to the TVAoD Pflege. According to the AVR of Caritas, for example, you earn exactly as much as according to the TVoD.
By the way: You don't have to pay tuition.
What if my company does not have a collective agreement??
If your company does not follow collective agreements, you should talk to your supervisor. In a Salary negotiation you should then orient yourself to the applicable rates. What applies to you in any case is the minimum nursing wage. The is since April 2022 for trained nursing professionals 15,40 Euro per hour. For comparison: The general minimum wage is currently 9.82 euros.
Insider: Salary at the University Hospital Cologne
The training salary is not the only financial plus you get at the University Hospital Cologne. You will also receive your Service clothing as well as textbooks are provided free of charge.
As a trained nursing specialist, you will eventually rise with 2.355 euros gross per month one. Once you have gained professional experience, your earnings will also increase: after 13 years of professional experience, you will be able to work with a team of nurses 3.200 euros gross calculation.
What is the starting salary as a nursing specialist?
Trained nurses are often paid according to the collective agreement. As Starting salary you get according to the collective agreement of Caritas ACR about 2.880 Euro gross per month – this is the basic salary, so no bonuses or supplements are included. With bonuses and annual special payment you reach just under 3.000 euros gross per month, i.e. around 40.000 euros gross annual salary. For night shifts or shifts at the weekend you will receive extra bonuses.
According to TVoD Pflege, the monthly salary at the beginning is 2.932 euros gross. Here, too, bonuses and supplements are added. You start after your training in pay group (EG) 7 on level 2.
What are allowances and supplements, and what do you get them for??
Allowances are extra payments that the employer pays in addition to the basic salary. The allowances you receive as a nurse specialist are specified in your employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.
Typical allowances for nursing staff:
You will receive these bonuses, for example, if you are mainly employed in the care of intensive care patients or sick seniors. In addition to extra bonuses, you will usually also receive the following with a lot of rotating shift work
extra vacation days. You will also receive bonuses for night, weekend and holiday duties. Up to a certain limit, these supplements are tax- and contribution-free.
How much can I earn later as a nursing specialist??
After three years you get in the public service round 3.100 gross per month. You will then move up one step in the pay scale.
With increasing professional experience, your salary will also rise over time. So after five years you can earn around 3.235 euros gross per month. After 16 years on the job, nursing specialists then receive around 3.770 euros gross per month.
But bewareThese are only approximate values. It may also be that your employer pays a little less.
*Basic salary, gross per month
What further education and training courses are available in nursing??
Specialized further training
As a nursing specialist, many further training opportunities are open to you. If you have a passion for a particular area of nursing, you can continue your education in that area and become a specialist nurse.
Possible specialized training:
Further commercial training
The further training to become a specialist in health care and social services qualifies nursing specialists for commercial activities in health care and social services. As a specialist, they control business processes and are responsible for the organization in hospitals, nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities.
Further training
If you would like to train the next generation of nurses, further training to become a practice supervisor is a good option. You will then guide nursing students in their specialist practical training. Or you can qualify as a nursing service manager and take over the management of a nursing service.
Insider: The career at the University Hospital Cologne
The University Hospital of Cologne offers Many internal training opportunities at. Examples include further training in intensive care and anesthesia, in the surgical service, and in practical guidance.
Since the winter semester 2017/2018, there is also the dual study program in clinical nursing. After a total of four years, you will be awarded the degree of "Bachelor of Science Clinical Nursing".
Study
After completing your nursing training, a bachelor's degree in health care, health and nursing care or health care management opens up completely new career opportunities. You can also combine the training directly with a course of study and do a dual course of study.
After graduation, graduates can take on managerial positions in hospitals or care facilities. And: Many young people complete nursing training to bridge the waiting period for medical studies. Training as a nursing specialist is also super suitable for this purpose.
What are the future prospects as a nursing specialist?
The way people are cared for is changing. New findings in science and technology are changing and simplifying the daily work of nurses. How to make nursing documentation paperless in the future. Patient records are being entered electronically: The field of e-health is going strong.
The nursing 4.0 for example, nursing staff and patients will be networked in the future using telemedicine approaches – for example, via a tablet. Nurses then have an insight into a patient's health data from anywhere and can monitor their health status. If a condition is critical, a doctor can be alerted at the touch of a button.
Fact isNursing jobs cannot be 100 percent digitized or taken over by machines, which is why they will continue to be performed by people to a very large extent in the future. Nursing specialists therefore have the best prospects for the future best prospects for the future.
Are there any special features?
For the training as a nursing specialist you apply with your cover letter, your curriculum vitae and your last school report. If you have an internship certificate, please attach a copy of it. If your employer requires a medical certificate or a health certificate, you should take care of this in advance. Depending on the employer and company you are applying to, you may also have to take a recruitment test.
Insider: The application at the University Hospital Cologne
Due to its high profile, the University Hospital Cologne receives a lot of applications. In order to facilitate the processing, the application procedure is carried out online.
All important information can be entered into an online form and submitted at the click of a button.
What gives me an advantage over other applicants?
If you already have a Internship made in the social sector or a voluntary social year If you have completed the training, this will give you an advantage in your application.
What do I have to consider when I apply for nursing training from abroad?
Because there is a shortage of nursing staff in Germany, many training companies are dependent on applicants from abroad. Since similar requirements apply as for German adolescents.