German Nurses: education and scope of practice

In Germany there are three titles pertaining to nursing. They are as follows:

Krankenschwester/Krankenpfleger: this is the traditional entry level nurse and requires a three year training program at a state approved school of nursing.

Kinderkrankenschwester/Kinderkrankenpfleger: also an entry level nursing position but in pediatrics requiring three years of training at a state approved school of nursing.

Krankenpflegehelfer/Krankenpflegehelferin: is an assistant nurse requiring one year of training (Nursing in germany, n.d.).

While the federal government sets requirements for basic nurses training in Germany, there is no defined scope of practice for the German Krankenschwester or Krankenpfleger. To begin nurses training in Germany, one must first complete a minimum of 10 years of school and be at least seventeen years of age (Nursing in germany, n.d.). One significant difference between nurses training in Germany versus the United States, is that students in Germany are given monthly allowances throughout their studies averaging $739.00 a month (Sillem, 2004).

After completing basic nurses training, nurses may then go on to specialize. Specialization areas are midwifery, elder care, nurse administration and nurse education. A group of nursing professors from Emory University traveled to Germany in 2001 to meet with their European counterparts. The professors commented upon their return to the United States, that German nursing specialists enjoy less autonomy than nurses in the United States (Auchmutey, 2001). For example, one American nurse midwife noted that German midwives may perform an episiotomy but they are unable to perform the stitches; a physician is required for the latter task (Auchmutey, 2001).

Sillem (2004) also commented on the German nurse’s lack of autonomy. Sillem (2004) cited Edith Kellenhauser, an experienced nurse’s comment that “for many years [Germans] were of the opinion that nursing is a profession you do with your hands…you don’t need theories, you don’t need an education”. Kellenhauser also stated that most of the available nursing literature is in English thus creating an obstacle for German nursing students who wish to promote their profession (Sillem, 2004).

References:

Auchmutey, P. (2001). New horizons: nursing faculty are part and parcel of Emory’s efforts to forge strong links with the international community. Retrieved July 5, 2007 from Emory University Web site: http://www.whsc.emory.edu/_pubs/en/2001fall/feature_horizons.html

Nursing in germany. (n.d.). Retrieved July 5, 2007 from http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/docs/nurses/2000-study/nurses_germany_en.pdf

Sillem, D. (2004). German students turn to nursing. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved July 5, 2007 from http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1254660