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Training as a healthcare and nursing assistant

»I’ve always wanted to help people«, Jasmin, trainee healthcare and nursing assistant at Jena University Hospital

Jasmin on her way to the patient’s room (©UKJ, JenaWirtschaft)

Jasmin, what made you decide to become a healthcare and nursing assistant?

I have always wanted to work with people, especially those of all ages with different medical conditions. I love having close contact with patients and having conversations with them. It’s also great that I’m learning medical content during my training.

 

How did you find your apprenticeship? What was the process like?

Last year, I thought hard about what I wanted to do with my life. Then, I had a conversation with my brother, who works at the university hospital. He told me a lot about his job. I was impressed by how happy he was with his training at UKJ. That’s why I decided to apply only here.

How long does the training last, and how is it divided up?

The training to become a healthcare and nursing assistant lasts one year. It runs from September 2024 to August 2025. You start with theory, of course, and then you rotate through two wards at your company. In my case, it is Jena University Hospital. I will go through the “Internal” and “Surgical” wards. In between, there are internships at a nursing home and an outpatient nursing service. The UKJ has partner organizations for these internships, and students are assigned to them.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

On days like today, when the shift starts early, I wake up at 4:00 a.m. and arrive at work by 6:00 a.m. I put on my uniform, and then we begin the handover. Nursing assistants always work alongside a specialist.

First, we go through the rooms and perform a morning check. We take vital signs, ask the patients how they are doing, and determine who needs basic care that day—i.e., who needs to be washed. Some patients can do it themselves, while others need help. Then, we take care of the patients’ laundry.

We also hand out meals. For patients who can no longer eat independently, we serve them as well. Once the patients have finished eating, we collect the dishes. We participate in the lunch round, look after the kitchen, ring the bell, and perform other tasks.

Which tasks did you enjoy most during your training?

I really enjoy basic care. I enjoy washing patients, even though it can be tiring, especially when there are many of them. I enjoy talking to people. I enjoy communicating with people and listening to them talk about their lives. That alone makes you important to them. I also always enjoy the morning rounds.

 

Were there any challenges during your training? How did you deal with them?

There were a few moments with wounds or pressure ulcers that were difficult to see. The nurse noticed that I was uncomfortable looking at something like that. She reacted sympathetically, saying that I was welcome to turn away or leave the room.

It’s not a bad thing because you don’t see wounds like that every day on the street. That’s why it’s perfectly okay to look away the first few times during training.

Measuring blood pressure is one of the standard tasks. (©UKJ, JenaWirtschaft)

What has been your personal highlight of your training so far?

I really liked my first ward with hepatology and visceral and vascular surgery. I felt at home there, everyone was really nice. My internships also went very well. And above all, my grades were very good. It’s easier to learn when it’s fun. In any case, the patients are also one of my highlights, who always tell me how well I’m doing my job. I’m very grateful for that. People’s recognition and patients’ gratitude for my work make me feel good about continuing.

Why should people choose your job? What advice would you give to others who are still in the information phase before starting their apprenticeship?

Why should people choose your job? What advice would you give to others who are still in the information phase before starting their apprenticeship?

Firstly, the vocational training programme only lasts one year. It is therefore perfect for anyone who roughly knows that they want to do something with people and care or medicine, but still need a little time to make a final decision. It is therefore perhaps comparable to an FSJ, but you learn an enormous amount, have a lot of responsibility, earn your own money and have a qualification in your pocket after a year.

During this time, you spend a lot of time with patients. This means you can find out very well whether nursing, working in a hospital, is something for you at all. Am I prepared to wash strangers? Am I prepared to accompany strangers to the toilet? And do I want to take on the responsibility? During the year, you realise very well whether you are suitable for it.

Jasmin prepares drops for the patients. (©UKJ, JenaWirtschaft)

What should you bring to the table if you’re interested in this job?

A lot of patience, a lot of empathy and friendliness. You shouldn’t take anything personally and always be friendly and open-minded. Being sociable is also an important prerequisite. If you’re afraid of touching or touching people, that’s not so good.

 

What do you love about your training?

Firstly, what I love about my apprenticeship is that it offers me the ideal opportunity to continue my development afterwards. I’m learning a lot of anatomical knowledge, which I find very interesting. What’s particularly exciting is that this knowledge can also be applied to my own everyday life. I also get to meet new people all the time and most of them are super friendly. I just love helping people.

What are your plans after your training?

After this apprenticeship, I will continue straight away in September and train as a nursing specialist.

Why did you decide to stay here in Jena and not go somewhere else for your training?

Firstly because of my brother and because I’m still very young. Moving to another city on my own is financially difficult. And because I think that the UKJ is a good training centre. I have a short journey to work here. I really like that.

Training as a healthcare and nursing assistant at Jena University Hospital offers a quick entry into nursing, attractive salary and numerous development opportunities – especially as a stepping stone to nursing training or a degree in nursing.

Facts and figures on training as a healthcare and nursing assistant

  • Duration: 1 year
  • Start: Annually on 1st of September
  • Remuneration (gross/month): € 1,128.87 gross per month
  • Requirements:
    • Secondary school certificate or equivalent
    • Medical certificate of fitness to work
    • Communication skills, dexterity, sociability and teamwork
    • No fear of contact with patients, empathy and sensitivity
    • Letter of motivation, CV, current certificates
    • For foreign qualifications: Overview of grades in German, language certificate B2, certificate recognition for Thuringia
  • Similar training occupations:
  • Social assistant
  • Geriatric care assistant (depending on the federal state)
  • Generalist nurse (generalist training, 3 years)
  • Further training & study opportunities:
    • After successful completion, you have the opportunity to start the generalist training programme to become a nursing specialist (m/f/d) (duration: 3 years, entry requirements: usually intermediate school leaving certificate or completed assistant training)
    • Depending on your qualifications, part-time study programmes are possible, e.g. Bachelor’s degree in nursing/nursing management, Master’s degree in nursing science/nursing management

You do not have German or EU citizenship or a German school-leaving qualification? Then there are a few things to consider. Our Welcome Centre will be happy to advise you. > Book an appointment

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