Nursing in Saxony: start training or work as a specialist

The training usually lasts 3 years. During this time, you will have lessons in a nursing school and learn practical application in a clinic or care facility.

You will receive a training allowance during your training. The amount is determined by the employer. In nursing, this remuneration is generally comparatively high and is often higher than the average training salary in other professions.

At the end of your training, you will be awarded the qualification of nursing specialist. You can then work in hospitals, geriatric care facilities, rehabilitation clinics or specialist areas, for example.

For the apprenticeship you need

• a school-leaving certificate recognized in Germany
• German language skills of at least level B2
• a training position at a hospital or care facility
• a visa for vocational training

• Find and apply foran apprenticeship
• Have certificates checked
• Improve your German language skills

If you have already completed training as a nursing professional in your country of origin, you must have your qualification checked in Germany. This procedure is called the recognition procedure. To do this, you submit an application to the Kommunaler Sozialverband Sachsen (KSV).

• a professional qualification recognized in Germany
• German B2 language certificate
• Certificate of good conduct
• Health certificate (medical certificate)

1. Search for a job and contact employers
2. Apply for recognition
   • foreign professional qualifications - KSV Sachsen
   • You will receive confirmation that your application has been received and an indication of which documents you may need to submit subsequently

There are two options for the recognition procedure:

Option 1: Equivalence check

KSV Sachsen will check within 4 months whether your training is comparable to German nursing training.

There are three possible outcomes:

• Your training is equivalent.
• Your training is partially comparable. Then you still have to learn something or take an exam.
• Your training cannot be fully assessed.

If there are differences to the German training, you can compensate for these by

• an adaptation period (practical further training) or
• an aptitude or knowledge test.

Option 2: Waiving the equivalence test

Nursing professionals can also waive the equivalence test. In this case, the training is not examined in detail. Instead, you must prove your knowledge directly by

• a three-year adaptation period with an examination that covers the content of the training (final interview),

or

• a knowledge test with four care situations in the area of inpatient long-term care.

The KSV will send you a notice of recognition, which may state that you need to complete an adaptation period. This will help you to compensate for the differences between your training in your home country and your German training. You will learn exactly the content that is still missing.

The duration depends on the content of your assessment notice. It can be a few months or longer. If a language course is necessary, the course will be extended accordingly.

The adaptation period usually consists of

• Theory (e.g. lessons in a nursing school)
• Practice (working and learning in a facility, for example a hospital or care facility)

Skilled workers with a qualification from a third country have a final interview at the end to discuss what they have learned.

Skilled workers with a qualification from the EU or the EEA receive a certificate of attendance and generally do not have to attend a final interview.

If your training differs from German training, you can take an examination to prove your knowledge:

• Third countries: Knowledge test
• EU/EEA countries: Aptitude test

These examinations show that you have the necessary knowledge for your profession in Germany.

Preparing for the exam

You can attend a voluntary preparation course before the exam. The content and duration of the course is determined by the provider.
Possible contents of the course are

• Theory of the nursing profession
• Practical assignments
• Specialist language lessons

KSV Sachsen also recommends a practical placement of several weeks at a suitable workplace before the exam.

Contents of the examinations

• Knowledge test (third countries): consists of an oral and a practical part, similar to the German state final examination.
• Aptitude test (EU/EEA): consists of a practical examination with an interview. Only the essential differences according to the assessment notice are tested.

The exact subject areas are based on the Professional Act, the Training and Examination Ordinance and your assessment notice from KSV Sachsen.