Criticism of nursing training: Do 18 months really have to be enough?

Criticism of nursing training: Do 18 months really have to be enough?

Bremen, Deutschland - In Bremen, a new draft law causes a good excitement in the care industry. On July 15, 2025, the Bremen Chamber of Employees suffered sharp criticism of the proposals of the Federal Ministry of Health and Education. The reason? The planned shortening of the training period for nursing assistant from 24 to 18 months. This is particularly incomprehensible to the representatives of the Chamber of Employees, since they have spoken out for a longer training period in order not to endanger the professional skills of future nursing staff. "There is clearly something in the Argen here," said the tenor of criticism. The proposal, which is due to come into force from 2027, aims to create uniform standards for training nationwide, which are currently regulated differently from state to state. There is positive feedback for this standardization, but there is concern that a shortened training period is not sufficient to ensure high -quality care. The Bremen Chamber of Employees expressed these and other concerns in a joint statement with the Chamber of Employees of the Saarland.

But what exactly changes with the new bill? Among other things, he determines that a qualification will be achieved faster in the training as a nursing assistant. According to the existing Bremen law on the training in nursing education the currently planned training period is at least 12 months for full -time training, whereby part -time training is also possible for up to 2 years. With the introduction of the new law, it should be easier to get into care, but the question arises whether the shortened training period is not at the expense of quality.

training standards and quality assurance

The Bremen Chamber of Employees sees development as a positive progress, but emphasizes the need to ensure the quality of training. "The shortening by six months is a great risk," warn those responsible. The concerns are not unfounded: an excessive training period could lead to the prospective nursing staff not sufficiently equipped with the necessary skills, which could ultimately have direct effects on patient care.

But what does the training as a nursing assistant look like? According to the Nursing Association , prospective specialists have to complete a pralca training that includes both theoretical and practical lessons. A practical training in recognized facilities is planned to provide well -founded training. These standards should apply from 2020 and also include an intermediate examination after two thirds of the training period.

The future of nursing training

"The new laws bring a breath of fresh air to nursing training, but we have to ensure that quality always goes with quantity," emphasize experts. A rethink is required, not only at the duration of the training, but also in the remuneration of the trainees. Here, too, there is progress at federal level: school fees may no longer be collected, and trainees are entitled to an appropriate training allowance. These measures should help increase the attractiveness of the nursing professions.

The pressure on the nursing professions grows and the shortage of skilled workers is omnipresent. A uniform standard could make it easier for many to get started, but this should not be done at the expense of the quality of the training. The coming years will show whether the changes will bring the desired effects or whether the concerns of the employees of workers are justified.