US Nurse working in Germany?

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Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anybody knows if your nursing license can transfer from the USA to Germany. And if so what licenses do they take?

Do they take LPN, RN, ADN, BSN? And what is the process of transfering your license. If anybody knows any answers they are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Marcus

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Licenses do not transfer. You will need to take the German licensing exam and pass the series of German language exams; just a reverse of a nurse from there wishing to work in the US.

Only the RN is accepted for visa purposes, and it must be at least as much schooling as they have. There programs are three years plus now, so that would mean the BSN or equivalent.

Since you are an American citizen, and not a citizen of the European Union, you will need to go thru the full immigration process.

The only way around all of that, is if you try to go the route of civilian employee with the US military, then you would not need a German license, but that is the ony exception.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anybody knows if your nursing license can transfer from the USA to Germany. And if so what licenses do they take?

Do they take LPN, RN, ADN, BSN? And what is the process of transfering your license. If anybody knows any answers they are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Marcus

most countries require you to have RN. It is not transferable unless you are working I think in a US military hospital. o work in German hospitals you will need to meet their nursing requirements, would have been easy if you trained within the EU as there are agreements made for nurses within EU countries. You will probably be expected to speak fluent german. I found this and hope it helps http://www.dbfk.de/englishnew.htm

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Licenses still do not transfer. With US Government positions, having a license in one state is good all over with the bases, and even for the VA Hospitals in the US. They honor the one US license.

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Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anybody knows if your nursing license can transfer from the USA to Germany. And if so what licenses do they take?

Do they take LPN, RN, ADN, BSN? And what is the process of transfering your license. If anybody knows any answers they are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Marcus

Depending upon where in Germany you would like to work, you might consider the military route. There is a large hospital in Landstuhl, several small hospitals, many clinics, and Department of Defense Dependent's Schools (DoDDs). I worked for DoDDs many years ago and it was a good job. The kids are generally very healthy. Good luck!

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Sorry, I realize that I have left out one small minor detail....

I actually have German citizenship. I have lived in the United States for the last 10 years and I am going through an RN ADN program right now. I was thinking about eventually going through a BSN program. I was mainly wondering if my schooling over here would transfer to Germany.

I have considered the military route, but there is not a base near where I originaly lived, and I was hoping to move back there for memory sake.

Mainly I have no concrete plans at this time, but just trying to see what my options are for the future. Thanks for all the replies.

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You will still need equivalent to their training, and tha tis more than two years now for the RN. You will also need to take their exams, etc.

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Hi Marcus,

although you have German Citizenship your ADN program will probably not be enough and you won't be able to transfer. We don't share licenses, that is why German educated nurses need to go through the whole evaluation process.

You can check the forum krankenschwester.de (german) , they have some posts regarding transfer and whom to contact.

Goos luck with that,

nutella

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thanks for the German forum. I didn't think that an ADN would transfer. I do remember that Germany has huge requirements for training for anything.

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Yep.

Especially since they have the new law (Ausbildungs-und Pruefungsverordnung). Much more theoretical education and less practise, but still a lot hours to meet European Union requirements. I got my education under the "Krankenpflegegesetz von 1985" and this was 3y first general nursing course, 1600 hours theoretical education and a lot clinical instruction/training.

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Not to put a damper on anything, but nursing in Germany is not really wonderful at the moment. It is hard to find a job (in some locations near impossible)- I have co-workers who sent out 70 resumes before they finally got a job. Plus, all those great working conditions that Europe and especially Germany is known for are pretty much a thing of the past. 42 hr. work weeks with no christmas pay/no holiday pay are the norm.

Add to that the fact that housing is astronomical in most areas and that as a nurse you are at the very low end of the totem pole......maybe you should really rethink your plans for moving?

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Kersti,

It all depends on your experience and location. But to be honest, I never sent out more than two resumees when I looked for a new job. I worked in Intensive Care and for a staffing agency -- in those fields you still get good jobs if you are qualified...

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