Close cooperation for young nursing talent: training secured in the Inner Mountains!

Close cooperation for young nursing talent: training secured in the Inner Mountains!

New momentum is being brought to nursing training in Pinzgau! The state of Salzburg, the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, the Cardinal Schwarzenberg Clinic and the Tauern Clinic have signed a groundbreaking agreement. This initiative aims to ensure the long-term training and retention of nursing staff in the Inner Mountains. Under the leadership of State Councilor Daniela Gutschi, this cooperation is intended to combat the urgent shortage of skilled workers in nursing, which is felt throughout Austria.

Since the law changed in 2016, nursing training has been carried out exclusively as part of a bachelor's degree at technical colleges. The Cardinal Schwarzenberg Academy in Schwarzach has been acting as a university location for nursing training since 2019. The agreement now offers the opportunity for students to bond with the region at an early stage, particularly through internships and excursions at the Tauern Clinic. This not only creates training close to home, but also brings a breath of fresh air into the nursing professions, which are urgently needed given the ongoing shortage of personnel.

Nursing education in transition

The last diploma courses at the Zell am See Health and Nursing School run until 2026, while the Kardinal Schwarzenberg Academy already offers 120 places in the bachelor's degree program in health and nursing. This new direction promises to inspire young people in the region to pursue a career that is not only fulfilling but also of great social importance.

But the demands on nursing staff are high. According to a study by PwC, an appropriate salary is the most important incentive to stay in nursing. Over 68 percent of those surveyed cited pay as a decisive factor for their long-term prospects in this profession. Flexible working hours and better staffing are also very popular in order to increase the attractiveness of the industry and not only to attract skilled workers, but also to retain them in the long term.

The nationwide context

The shortage of skilled workers is also taking on dramatic proportions. In Germany, for example, the number of people in need of care is increasing rapidly, and a need for around 500,000 additional nursing staff is forecast by 2040. One more reason to become active in the training of nursing staff and to promote these initiatives in Austria. The challenges are not only local, but also have a nationwide dimension.

For the younger generation, this means that they are not just choosing a career, but a perspective that will be more important than ever in the coming years. The hope now lies in close cooperation between all those involved in order to set the course for future-proof nursing training. The first courses at the Tauern Clinic could already be groundbreaking for our shared path into the future.

The developments in Pinzgau are a good example of how regional cooperation can find new solutions to existing challenges. Those involved have shown a good hand, and the early loyalty of young talent to the region could be the key to sustainably ensuring the quality of care.

The collaboration of these institutions and the creation of training positions close to home provide a solid basis for not only improving care in the Inner Mountains, but also making it attractive for future generations. This is a positive signal for everyone who works in nursing or wants to become one!

For further information on ongoing developments you can read the articles on My district, PwC and Deutschlandfunk browse.