Originally Posted by AliRae
I'm American working in America, but spent a semester during nursing school studying in Germany (couldn't figure out if I wanted to be a nurse or a German teacher...) I'd be really interested to hear what it's like to be a nurse over there. From what I understood at the time, the scope of practice was a lot more limited than that of nurses in the States. What was the process for getting certified to work over there? I would love to hear about it! Vielen Dank! =)
Hello, AliRae,
To be able to work here one has to get a work permit, which in my case was very easy because my husband is german. I was here for three years before I was brave enough to apply for my first job. Learning a language out of books is one thing, but really throwing yourself into the middle of a bunch of germans is another! Let's suffice it to say that I didn't understand everything that was being said to me. I realied on my nursing skills, ha, and was able to mingle my way through. And like it always is in this world, some of my nursing co-workers were very nice and others were not. Yes, the nursing system here is different, it's not as challenging or as respected as in the States. But I live here now and have never regretted my move overseas. I make the best of it. And I have seen many positive changes over the years here. What bothers me the most is that one can become a nurse here with just a "training". It has unfortunatly nothing to do with a college education. And in my opinion this results in many people being in nursing which really shouldn't be. It's kind of like certain people just don't know what else to do with themselves so they take up the nursing program. I don't want to insult anyone, because there are certainly more good and competent nurses as not, but it's just something that I've come to believe after seeing so much after 12 years in nursing here. It was just eight years ago, as I was working in a hospital here, that a nurse from England introduced the whole concept of care planning and documentation. The whole system needs to be professionalized and it's moving in the right direction here. Well, to make an even longer story short, I had to work a three month practical in this hospital and then they offered me a permanent position. Because of my BSN I was lucky in that I was over qualified. Other nurses from other countries have to work sometimes 6 months to a year just in a practical position. So, here I am. I worked 7 years in the hospital and now have been in home health for the last 5. I visit lots of nice germans in the surrounding villages, a really nice experience. And I've come a long way because I understand everything. Albeit, writing and speaking come somewhat slower, but thats not so bad. I hope this wasn't too long, but it's hard to condense so many years in a few short paragraphs. Take care, Ambil
Would you like to comment?
Hello, I have a BSN from Oakland Univ., Mich. and have been working in germany for 12 years. Working in a foreign hospital does have its drawbacks in regards to nursing. On a positive note, I have seen many changes in the right direction in how nursing is progressing here, but there is still a long way to go. I'm a relative new internet user and stumbeled across this page. Are there any other american nurses working here? 
Please answer, thanks ambil
Re: american nurse working in german hospital
