If you're considering a career in nursing, there’s never been a better time to step into the profession,especially in Germany. In 2024, the country saw a significant increase in nursing trainees, with nearly 59,400 people beginning vocational training to become qualified nurses. This reflects a 9% growth from the previous year and signals not only rising demand for nurses but also a stronger national focus on healthcare education and career development.
Since 2020, Germany has streamlined its nursing education through a generalist nursing program, which replaced the previously separate qualifications for geriatric, pediatric, and general nursing. The new qualification, “Pflegefachfrau” or “Pflegefachmann”, prepares students for a wide range of roles across hospitals, care homes, and outpatient facilities.
If you’re someone who values flexibility and long-term career growth, this path is ideal. In 2024, 99% of all nursing graduates chose the generalist qualification, highlighting its widespread acceptance and practical value. In the same year, approximately 37,400 people successfully completed their training as nurses, marking the second graduating class since the introduction of generalist nursing training.
Nursing in Germany is attracting people from a wide range of age groups and backgrounds. While half of the new trainees were 21 or younger, about 19% were 30 or older, showing that it’s a popular second career for many. Whether you're just out of school or making a career switch, there's room for you in the healthcare sector.
Women continue to dominate the field, making up 74% of all trainees, but the doors are open to everyone. Men now represent a growing 26% of the trainee base, and gender diversity is slowly improving across the industry.
Practical experience is a key part of nursing training in Germany. In 2024:
Your training can take place with non-profit, private, or public healthcare providers. Nearly 44% of new trainees started with non-profit organizations, while the rest trained with private or public institutions.
In addition to vocational training, Germany now offers academic nursing programs. Thanks to the Nursing Studies Strengthening Act, students enrolled in nursing degree programs receive financial support and remuneration.
By the end of 2024:
These programs combine theoretical education with hands-on training and culminate in both a bachelor's degree and state nursing licensure, a great option if you’re looking for a more academic path with upward mobility in the healthcare field.
With Germany’s aging population and growing healthcare demands, nursing is one of the most secure and rewarding careers available today. Whether you're passionate about patient care, interested in healthcare systems, or drawn to a stable and impactful profession, nursing offers long-term opportunities, career flexibility, and the chance to truly make a difference.
If you're ready to join one of the most respected and in-demand professions in Germany, nursing might just be the right path for you.
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