Regensburg nursing graduates demand better support for patients

Regensburg nursing graduates demand better support for patients

On May 13, 2025, graduates Christina Papacek-Zimmermann and Jennifer Zimmermann, both from KU, published their outstanding theses that address the challenges in intensive care. After more than 25 years of annual experience in the intensive care unit at Regensburg University Hospital, they have addressed important topics in aftercare and the integration of nursing staff in their work. Papacek-Zimmermann conducted a survey among former intensive care patients about “extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (eCPR). Zimmermann, on the other hand, focused on the needs of the relatives of these patients.

Both graduates asked salient questions in their studies, such as the changes in patients' lives after discharge and the support that both patients and families need. The results of their study show a significant information deficit that exists after discharge. This deficit can often only be compensated for with support from people close to you, which highlights the need for professional aftercare. A future-oriented suggestion from Papacek-Zimmermann is the establishment of an aftercare outpatient clinic, which could be offered either in-clinic by Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) or out-of-clinic by Community Health Nurses (CHNs). This could represent a significant improvement in patient care.

Integration of international nursing staff

Another important aspect of the KU graduates' studies is the integration of international nursing specialists into the German healthcare system. Marie-Theres Ach analyzed the challenges associated with integrating nurses from abroad, while Daniel Lisowski focused on their recruitment. Both emphasize the importance of respectful interaction between existing teams and the new nursing staff. This is particularly important as the need for nursing staff in Germany is constantly growing and international specialists can play a crucial role in this.

Some graduates also devoted themselves to specific patient populations. Arzu Güzel examined mentally ill patients with a migrant background and found that appreciation and empathy are crucial for the success of therapy. These findings highlight the need to establish cultural sensitivity and specific support systems.

Comparison of international nursing training

An international comparison shows that many countries pursue different approaches to the training and integration of nursing staff. Countries like Canada and Australia show that training and care models are often more effective, according to a comprehensive analysis. In Canada, for example, nurse practitioners take responsibility for patient care and can even write prescriptions. This team orientation and decentralized distribution of tasks differs significantly from practice in Germany, where a traditional understanding of medical delegation is often retained. Similar challenges are also discussed in a study by Professor Boris Augursky, which fuels the discourse about the differences in the understanding of care between Germany and other countries.

In summary, the KU graduates are at the forefront of a necessary debate about optimizing nursing practice in Germany. Their findings and suggestions could help initiate urgently needed reforms to both improve the aftercare of intensive care patients and specifically promote the integration of international nursing staff. This is particularly important in view of demographic developments and the ever-increasing shortage of nursing staff.

For more information on the specifics of care areas in different countries, we refer to the comprehensive analysis provided by the platform PMC is provided, as well as the structural challenges that arise recognition-nrw.de be examined in more detail.