Celebration at AKH Viersen: 90% of graduates stay in their jobs!

Celebration at AKH Viersen: 90% of graduates stay in their jobs!

A festive gathering to celebrate fresh faces in nursing took place at Viersen General Hospital on October 1, 2025. The new qualified nursing staff Tamara Meuters, Nicole Seher, Hatice Yildirim and Melissa Debecker were warmly congratulated by nursing manager Nadine Lafontaine. What is impressive is that 90 percent of new nursing staff stay in the hospital, which shows a good knack for promoting young talent. This anniversary celebration included all of the year's graduates, some of whom had already celebrated their graduation in April and have been working full-time since then.

The training to become a nursing specialist, which lasted three years intensively, took place mainly at the Academy for Health and Nursing Professions, in which the Viersen General Hospital has a one-third stake. The content of this training is varied and includes, among other things, practical placements in outpatient services, in senior citizen facilities and in pediatric departments. “We have great advantages from the close support of our trainees in our facilities, such as the children's clinic and the St. Cornelius retirement home,” emphasizes managing director Kim-Holger Kreft.

The new nursing professionals

Hatice Yildirim has found her place in the cardiology ward and speaks of the positive team dynamics that motivate her every day. Her colleague Tamara Meuters emphasizes the flat hierarchies at the AKH, which enable pleasant collaboration between practical instructors and trainees. At the AKH there are five exempt practice instructors who are responsible for the practical training and supervision of prospective nursing staff.

A look at nursing training

Training in nursing is becoming increasingly more attractive, as shown by a current report from the Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. In 2024, there was a nine percent increase in nursing trainees, bringing the number to around 59,500 new training contracts. “Nursing can do something,” says the campaign, which provides information about excellent employment and advancement opportunities in nursing, and has made a significant contribution to ensuring nursing care in Germany. In 2024, a total of around 147,100 people were undergoing nursing training, and fortunately the proportion of male trainees has also increased.

The entry requirements for training are clearly defined. Those interested need a secondary school leaving certificate or equivalent qualifications, accompanied by health suitability and good knowledge of German. The structure of the training includes both theoretical and practical components in various nursing facilities and ends with a state examination that leads to the professional title of “nursing specialist”. There is also the opportunity for extended training that imparts skills for medical tasks.

It seems that nursing education not only produces new and well-trained specialists, but also ensures a stable perspective in healthcare. These developments are of great value for both graduates and hospitals, as well-functioning care is crucial for patient satisfaction.

For further information on nursing training and the requirements, those interested can visit the website Federal Ministry of Health Visit where detailed information about the training and requirements is provided.

The current situation in nursing is also covered by the Federal Minister for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth addressed, which underlines the importance of the profession.

Those interested can also find out more about the celebrations at Viersen General Hospital Lokalklick.eu read about where the graduates and accompanying persons are introduced.