Nursing staff urgently needed: Minister Müller is strengthening study programs!

Nursing staff urgently needed: Minister Müller is strengthening study programs!

The Brandenburg Technical University of Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) received an important visit from Social and Health Minister Britta Müller on August 19, 2025. The focus of their visit was on the innovative courses in nursing science and midwifery science as well as the associated research in the health sector. Müller emphasized the urgent need for well-trained specialists in the nursing and healthcare sectors.

In discussions with leading professors at BTU, including Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, the university president, and other members of the academic management team, highlighted the university's strengths in terms of academic training conditions and modern facilities. This positive learning atmosphere has positioned the BTU as an attractive training facility for future nurses and midwives.

Cooperation to improve health care

One of the outstanding events during the visit was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the BTU and the Medical University of Lausitz (MUL-CT) on July 31, 2025. This cooperation aims to strengthen Cottbus as a science and research location and to sustainably improve healthcare in Brandenburg.

Minister Müller emphasized the importance of the nursing professions, which have been brought together in a common, generalist vocational training since January 2020. This modular training lasts three years, although there are also part-time options that can last up to five years. The practical and theoretical training is free of charge and the trainees receive a training allowance.

Course offerings and career opportunities

The BTU's range of courses includes not only the nursing field, but also a four-year course in nursing science, which has been established as a model course since 2013 and has now become a regular course of study. Through this program, students receive both a Bachelor of Science and a professional nursing degree.

50 students are currently starting in the nursing field, supported by 44 cooperation partners and a total of 106 internships, which enable a close connection between theory and practice. In addition, the midwifery studies course has been offered since the winter semester of 2021/2022, with the first graduates being given a ceremonial farewell in spring 2025.

A special post-qualification option for midwives trained under the old law will be introduced from the winter semester of 2025/2026 in order to enable these specialists to improve their careers.

Ways to secure skilled workers

According to a study by the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, which is important in the current debate about the shortage of skilled workers in geriatric care, effective solutions are required. The study describes the drama of the shortage of skilled workers and the growing gap between demand and supply. She suggests several options for action to reduce the shortage, including in-house training in the company, the further qualification of nursing assistants and the use of foreign nursing specialists.

These options were evaluated by over 400 human resources managers from geriatric care facilities. The results show that self-training is viewed as the most effective approach. The attractiveness of the training opportunities is also a central issue.

Nursing training could also be made more effective through partial academization, which means that training is divided into practical and theoretical parts. This could be particularly relevant for the increasing rate of high school graduates. A dual bachelor's degree program in nursing has already been introduced at the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, which combines practical training with academic content and rewards the training costs.

The current situation and the planned measures to secure skilled workers are in line with the goals that the BTU and MUL-CT are pursuing in order to optimize health care in the region and actively meet the challenges of the shortage of skilled workers.

For further information on the study by the Health Care Department at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, please click here here be downloaded.