New departure: Nursing courses in Bamberg are taking off!

New departure: Nursing courses in Bamberg are taking off!

The opening of new nursing courses at the Bamberg Academy for Health and Nursing Professions was celebrated in a ceremonial setting on October 31, 2025. Under the motto “Raise the flag for the new nursing degree programs in Bamberg as a place of learning,” around 80 guests, including representatives from ministries, nursing facilities and universities, were warmly welcomed. The event, organized by Hof University and its cooperation partners, marks an important step in academic training in the nursing profession.

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of Hof University of Applied Sciences, emphasized the strategic importance of this new learning location for academic nursing education in Upper Franconia. The event took place at Buger Straße 80, where Ministerial Councilor Sonja Stopp from the Bavarian State Ministry for Health, Care and Prevention spoke about a new law to expand authority and reduce bureaucracy in care. These reforms are intended not only to improve nursing organization, but also to increase the attractiveness of the profession.

New courses for nursing education

As part of these celebrations, those responsible welcomed 29 new students who are starting their training in the newly created study programs at the Bamberg Social Foundation. Ilona Baumann, the nursing director at the Bamberg Clinic, emphasized the importance of perceiving nursing as a scientifically based profession. This is particularly important at a time when the trend towards academization is also finding its way into the nursing industry.

The two new course offerings are the primary qualifying bachelor's degree in nursing (B.Sc.), which begins in the winter semester of 2025/26 with monthly remuneration, and the part-time bachelor's degree in nursing for experienced professionals (B.Sc.), which is specifically intended for trained specialists. According to Michael Springs, Managing Director of the Bamberg Academies, the academization of the nursing profession is an important step for the future development of nursing education.

Academization: necessity and advantages

The academization of nursing is a clear trend in the healthcare sector, responding to the complex care of patients and the challenges of an aging population. Academically trained nurses are taking on increasingly demanding roles and acting on the basis of scientific knowledge, which significantly increases the quality of care. The integration of evidence-based practices into everyday care is a central element that benefits patients. These theories are firmly anchored in the new degree programs and offer students access to the latest research results and specialized training.

In order to address challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers and financial constraints in the healthcare sector, strategic planning and investments are essential. However, academization not only improves patient care, but also strengthens the nursing profession as a whole and helps to increase the reputation of nursing staff.

In conclusion, it can be said that the opening of the new nursing courses in Bamberg is a forward-looking step. The event, which ended with a symbolic “raising of the flag,” not only represented a new departure in nursing education, but also provided a framework for exchange and networking among those present.