Only if we make wise use of every helping hand will care continue to function smoothly in the future. Also, this approach will make the nursing profession more attractive. After all, the more opportunities it offers, the more interesting the profession becomes. That is why we will spread the burden of care across several shoulders.
The first two nursing laws in this legislative period already embody this guiding principle: firstly, we have introduced modern, standardised and generalist training for nursing assistants. Secondly, we are giving nursing professionals more leeway in their work, making better use of their skills and relieving them of avoidable bureaucratic requirements.
Next, we will prepare a draft bill for the job description of ‘advanced practice nurse’. It is intended to enable future graduates of a master's programme to take on complex nursing tasks in health promotion and disease prevention, manage chronic diseases and perform certain medical tasks autonomously. This qualification opens up challenging career opportunities: for example, in a future primary care system, in the newly established emergency and rescue services, in hospitals and inpatient long-term care facilities.
ALTENPFLEGE 2026 is a key source of inspiration for these and many other topics that will make nursing care fit for the future. With this in mind, I wish all participants a fruitful exchange in Essen!
Nina Warken
