The main challenges of immigrant nurses after arriving in Germany and managing them
Germany is known globally for its advanced healthcare system, but even in this esteemed field, nursing faces significant challenges. With an aging population, a shortage of qualified nurses, low wages, and stressful working conditions, it's undeniable that nursing in Germany still requires improvement. Innovative solutions are needed to ensure the future of nursing in Germany, and that's exactly what we'll explore in this article. We'll examine The main challenges of immigrant nurses to see what solutions exist for managing the current situation in Germany. Join us with "Monarch Migration Institute.
Main Challenges Faced by Immigrant Nurses After Arriving in Germany
The nursing profession in Germany, like many other countries, faces a wide range of challenges that can affect the quality of patient care and the well-being of nursing professionals. Below, we highlight the most important challenges faced by immigrant nurses in Germany.
Language barriers and degree equivalence
Many immigrant nurses may face challenges in effectively communicating in German. Proficiency in the German language is necessary for providing quality care and complying with legal requirements. Nurses must present a German language certificate at least at the B2 level to obtain acceptance or job offers. Additionally, credential equivalency may pose a challenge. Immigrant nurses often need their credentials and work experience to be recognized by relevant authorities in Germany. This process can be complex and time-consuming, leading to delays in finding employment and entering the job market.
Cultural adaptation to the German people
Cultural adaptation to the new cultural environment is one of the The main challenges of immigrant nurses. They may encounter differences in healthcare practices, work culture, and patient expectations. This can affect their ability to provide effective care and establish communication with patients and colleagues. Especially for Iranian nurses who transition from a friendly and warm community to a somewhat mechanized and relatively cold society, digesting the new culture can be difficult. Immigrant nurses may experience social isolation and a lack of connections. Therefore, nurses planning to migrate to Germany should study the culture of the country beforehand.
high percentage of ageing population
Imagine a room full of grandparents with various physical ailments; it seems more like a nursing home than a hospital or clinic! In fact, Germany has one of the oldest populations in the world, with 22.17 percent of its citizens being 65 years and older. Considering that elderly individuals require care more than ever, nurses face the challenge of providing quality care to a population with complex and diverse medical needs. Communicating with elderly individuals requires a lot of energy, and dealing with these types of challenges is a major hurdle for immigrant nurses, requiring significant effort from many nurses abroad.
High levels of job stress and burnout
High levels of job stress and burnout are among the main challenges of immigrant nurses. Nurses in Germany face job burnout. Nurses, with long working hours, demanding patients, and high pressure to perform tasks quickly, are at risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. This problem exists not only in Germany but also in most countries. Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, attention was again focused on the nursing profession. Many countries like Germany, with the experiences gained during the pandemic, took steps to improve the nursing system.
Solutions for the main challenges of immigrant nurses
As previously mentioned, the nursing profession in Germany has faced numerous challenges over the years; there are many solutions to improve the nursing sector and address the main challenges of immigrant nurses in Germany, which we will discuss below:
Expanding Nursing Education Programs
Education is crucial, especially for nurses who have migrated to Germany. Germany needs to expand nursing education programs to ensure that newly arrived nurses have the necessary knowledge and skills to adapt to the German organizational culture. Healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and others should have a section dedicated to staff education. In this section, language and professional skills can be taught.
Increase investment in the workforce
To be honest, without an adequate number of nurses, the healthcare system cannot function properly. This is where investment comes into play! Germany needs to incentivize individuals to pursue nursing careers by investing more in the nursing workforce. Perhaps offering a reward for every 100 hours worked would be beneficial. Investing in the workforce means paying attention to the morale and livelihood of employees.
Improving Efficiency with Technology
Germany needs to utilize technology to assist nurses in working more effectively and efficiently. It is possible to introduce robots to perform therapeutic care tasks alongside patients' beds. Moreover, apps can be installed on nurses' phones to remind them when it's time to take a break or when their hydration levels are low and they need to drink water! If many tasks can be delegated to technology, a significant burden will be lifted off the shoulders of nurses.
The role of the German government in addressing the main challenges of immigrant nurses and shaping the future of nursing
The German government has a long history of investing in the healthcare sector, and nursing is no exception. To address the main challenges of immigrant nurses, the government provides budget for education, research, and nursing infrastructure. This budget helps attract and retain skilled nurses equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the best possible care.
Policies and budgets alone are not sufficient! Employers must also invest in their nursing workforce to ensure they have the resources needed to provide the best patient care. This is where incentives come into play. Employers in Germany receive financial incentives for investing in their nursing workforce. These incentives include budgets for continued education, support for career advancement, and rewards for delivering the best medical services. These incentives help foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement in the profession, ultimately benefiting patients and the overall future of immigrant nurses in Germany.
The government closely collaborates with healthcare organizations to ensure that policies and budgets align with the needs of patients and providers. This collaboration is particularly important for addressing the main challenges of immigrant nurses in Germany. For example, with a growing population, demand for nurses is increasing. By working together, the government and healthcare organizations can develop strategies to attract and retain talented nurses.
With a growing population of immigrant nurses from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, the nursing community in Germany is becoming increasingly diverse. This diversity is expected to make the nursing profession more attractive by introducing various perspectives and distinct experiences in nursing and by enhancing cultural awareness and specialization in healthcare. The future of nursing in Germany seems promising with strong government policies and budgets, employer incentives to invest in the nursing workforce, and collaboration between the government and healthcare organizations.
conclusion
Examining the main challenges of immigrant nurses after arriving in Germany is important. As a nurse, if you intend to spend the coming years of your life in this country, you need to adapt to the language, culture, professional environment, and other aspects. The benefits of nursing profession in Germany far outweigh its drawbacks. Nursing in this country comes with very high demand, so you can quickly obtain a work visa and immigrate to Germany. Wages in Germany are higher compared to some other countries, and good services are provided to nurses for a better life. Nevertheless, by investing in nursing workforce, improving working conditions and wages, expanding nursing education, promoting collaboration, and utilizing technology, one can hope for improvements in the nursing situation in Germany. For more information, contact our team of consultants at Monarch Migration Institute.
