Persistence will pave the way to realising your dream in Germany

Sanjay Arora
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Q. I have done my BSc Nursing and have three-year work experience in an Indian hospital. How can I get a nursing job in Germany? — Sudha Gupta

A. You have to really beat the odds to get a job in Germany in this profession. If you are really determined and have a budget of around Rs2 to 3 lakh, you can do it.

The first and foremost condition is to learn German language. You will need to obtain at least a B1 language certificate before you write your first job application. If you do it through the official Goethe institute, it would take at least 6 months and will cost you around Rs75,000.

You need to have all of your credentials professionally translated in German. In addition, you will have to find job openings via portals like Monster.com, or use the Federal Labour Ministry’s website www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/jobs/job-listings/

The next step is to apply. Please remember, if you can’t apply in German language, you obviously won’t be able to communicate in German once you’re on the job. Enclose your B1 (better B2) language certificate and your translated credentials along with your application.

If you get an interview call, you will have to travel to your hospital for an interview. Unfortunately, video interviews for international applicants are still unheard of in German healthcare system. Many hospitals usually expect applicants to volunteer for one or two workdays alongside an experienced nurse in the department they have applied for.

So, you will have to pay for your travel, although chances are, you’ll be offered to stay at the hospital’s nurses dorm or guest house. If this trial goes well, you will get a job contract.

You can now sign your job contract and fly back to India and file for recognition of your degree at the German authority in charge in the state you’re going to work.

This will be followed by a wait of 3 to 8 months. Only when your education is found to be equivalent to the German nursing education will you receive a work permit.

The next step will be to apply for a work visa at the German Embassy. While you’re waiting, do relearn and upgrade your German.

It is possible that your credentials are found to be only partially equivalent to German nursing education. Your employer will probably downgrade your job contract to “nursing assistant”. This will enable you to get a visa, go to Germany and work at your facility at a lower salary. Alongside, you will attend a vocational school to adapt your nursing education to German standards. A large number of our nurses in Germany have taken this route.

After you get work visa, you can quit your job and move to Germany.

The whole process from interview to the first work-day takes approximately 18 months in most of the cases.

Please be aware that most of the agents/ consultants will charge you Rs5 to 10 lakh with no guarantee of a job and with the risk of being left high and dry after online German language training.

From the above long process, you may think that one has to be lucky to be able to do it. However, the shortage of nurses in Germany is such that you may well be lucky. You need ruthless persistence for 18 months and it can change your life.

— The expert is a Panchkula-based employability expert and Chief Mentor, Maven Career Coaching