Cross-border exchange: Nursing staff strengthen Vienna's health system

Cross-border exchange: Nursing staff strengthen Vienna's health system

In May, high-ranking representatives of the Johanniter Academy of Lower Saxony/Bremen traveled to Vienna to discuss the Austrian healthcare system with local partners. Natalie Castellanos-Herr, Kersten Enke and Larissa Zeisler were the focus of the visit, which provided important insights into primary care and the training of nursing staff. The exchange took place in close cooperation with the Vienna Social Fund (FSW) and the FH Campus Vienna, where the expertise of Karin Anna Zeiler-Fidler and Prof. Bettina Maria Madleitner was consulted. It was emphasized how important cross-border dialogue is for the further development of innovative approaches in patient care. Those responsible warmly thanked their Austrian partners for the dialogue and the enriching exchange, which forms the basis for future cooperation.

But what about the nursing staff in Vienna? This is where the #Nurses4Vienna project comes into play, which was launched by the Vienna Health Association and the FH Campus Vienna. The goal is to bring up to 600 qualified nursing staff from third countries to Vienna over the next five years. Comprehensive linguistic and technical preparation takes place through nine-stage training, which also includes intensive German lessons. 19 people are currently completing this course, and the first nursing staff from Jordan began their journey to Vienna in December 2024. Those responsible for the project expect additional groups from Asian countries in the coming months.

Challenges in the nursing sector

Despite such initiatives, the shortage of nursing staff in the Austrian healthcare system is a complex problem. A fundamental factor is demographic change: as the population ages, the need for care increases, while at the same time fewer young people are choosing this profession. This development leads to an imbalance between increasing demand and limited supply of nursing staff. In addition, the working conditions are not exactly inviting - the nursing profession is physically and emotionally demanding, which often leads to burnout and increases fluctuation.

Salary and social recognition are also issues that greatly influence the attractiveness of the profession. The training area is also characterized by challenges; There is a lack of attractive training places and educational opportunities in many regions. Many young nurses therefore decide to migrate abroad, where they expect better working conditions and higher salaries. In addition, language barriers and differences in training systems represent a hurdle for the integration of international nursing staff. A holistic approach is therefore required to sustainably improve these problems and reform the framework conditions for nursing staff. City Councilor for Health Peter Hacker reiterates the need for such measures to overcome the challenges in the healthcare system.

In this context, projects like #Nurses4Vienna are an important step in counteracting the shortage of skilled workers and ensuring high levels of medical care in Vienna. Exchange with international partners and the targeted recruitment of specialists could be crucial in closing the gaps in care and ensuring the long-term health of the Viennese population.