German hospitals have a massive staffing problem in nursing. Almost every hospital (94%) has vacant nursing positions on general wards that are not filled. Three quarters of intensive care units have vacancies in intensive care. And in two thirds of hospitals with paediatric wards, positions remain unfilled.

The figures are the result of a representative survey of German hospitals, conducted by the German Hospital Institute (DKI) together with the auditing firm BDO.

According to the study, around 1,900 German hospitals expect the shortage of specialised staff to worsen over the next three years, despite planned reforms. There is a shortage of young talent, while at the same time many carers will retire.

Recruiting nursing staff from abroad is helping in some cases. This is a great opportunity for international carers to continue their careers in Germany.

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