Official Study Guide for Germany
Nursing practice, nursing management, nursing education
Nursing plays a key role in the healthcare system - not least due to demographic change: there are more and more people who are dependent on nursing care. In order to improve the quality of care, nursing professions are now increasingly being academised, i.e. trained at universities.
Overview of the academic discipline
The aim of the degree programmes in the field of nursing practice, management and education is to prepare professionals in the nursing sector for different roles. The content of the degree programmes is not only about knowledge relating to patient care in hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient services, but also about imparting knowledge of administration, health economics, personnel and quality management. The degree programme offers a combination of theory, practice and an understanding of the challenges in the healthcare sector.
Which topics are included in the curriculum?
Depending on the focus of the degree programme, students learn the basics of nursing, anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology. The curriculum also includes subjects such as communication, ethics, health economics, health promotion and prevention, personnel management, quality management and organisational development.
What are the requirements?
For degree programmes in this field of study, it is possible that, in addition to a higher education entrance qualification, a completed apprenticeship in a healthcare profession is also required as an entry requirement. A dual study programme requires a training contract with a cooperating nursing school. Important school subjects include politics/social studies, economics/law and, depending on the subject, biology, chemistry and maths.
What study programmes are there to choose from?
The degree programmes offered in this field cover various aspects of nursing. Dual study programmes are also offered, some of which combine studies with (school-based) training as a nursing professional.
- Examples of degree programmes in the field of nursing practice include (applied) nursing science, evidence-based nursing and nursing.
- Nursing management includes degree programmes such as management for health and nursing professions, (applied) nursing management, digital medical and nursing management and management in health and nursing.
- In nursing education, students learn how to train and educate nursing staff themselves and develop educational programmes. The degree programmes are called, for example, Health and Nursing Education, Educational Sciences for Nursing and Health Professions, Health Professions Education or Medical Education.
What job opportunities are there after graduation?
Graduates from this field of study can work in various areas of nursing, for example in hospitals or nursing homes, with outpatient nursing services, with health and nursing care insurance companies or in nursing training. Depending on the degree programme, they may also work in a management position within the healthcare sector.