Germany nursing apprenticeships rise amid aging population in Bavaria, Digi Mart USA News (Bavaria, Germany): The number of people training in nursing occupations in Germany is rising, with about 158,000 trainees nationwide at the end of 2025. The increase comes as demand for care grows in Bavaria, where more than 630,000 people already need care.
The Bavarian state government expects nearly one million people in the state to need care in 2025, and the number is projected to reach almost one million by 2050. People are living longer but also face more illness, meaning costs are rising and staffing needs are growing.
The number of nursing trainees grew by almost ten percent in the past year alone.
Monika Schaffner, a professor at the interdisciplinary Muc.Health faculty of Munich University of Applied Sciences and responsible for nursing science, does not describe the trend as a turnaround. She said it must continue in the coming years, but called it a welcome bright spot, noting a 13 percent increase in nursing assistants.
Bianca Kaminsky is one of those contributing to the trend. She is training in nursing at the Stadtklinik Diako in Augsburg.
She graduated from high school in 2024 and wanted a medical career with long-term patient contact, and says nursing gives her a good overview of the many functions in medicine. She says she has not regretted the choice so far.
Kaminsky accepts shift work, physical strain and high responsibility to care for her patients. She says she is satisfied when patients are happy with her care and tries to ease their fear and embarrassment, for example when they have incontinence accidents.
She stresses that patients should understand they do not need to feel ashamed.
Challenges and strains remain for nursing staff. The dropout rate among nursing trainees has fallen, with only one in four quitting during training, a rate comparable to other apprenticeships.
However, many leave the profession later, which Kaminsky attributes in part to shift work.
Schaffner identifies working conditions, overload, pay, recognition and equal footing with doctors as key problems. She hopes to bring about change, placing particular emphasis on prevention, which she believes could avoid or delay the need for care.
She is supported in this by Lena Afacan of the Medical Service, who heads policy and strategy there.
Afacan says everyone should take responsibility for aging as healthily as possible, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate fluid intake, limited alcohol and not smoking. She also recommends keeping the mind active through activities such as crossword puzzles, meeting friends and listening to music, which helps preserve independence for longer.
