Government is planning massive reforms: recognize nursing professions as hard workers!

Government is planning massive reforms: recognize nursing professions as hard workers!

On April 9, 2025, Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) announced that the recognition of nursing professions as hard work should be decided by the summer. The aim of this initiative is to give nursing staff access to the heavy workers' pension and to facilitate the smooth transition to retirement without unemployment. This is part of a wider program of work that the Small newspaper described as a central part of government work.

The federal government is also planning to create a federal public prosecutor's office to further protect the judiciary from influence. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) also announced a German language support package that should be available “before Easter”. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr is obliged to present a plan for a training offensive for elementary education. This shows that the government also wants to provide significant impetus in the education sector.

Budget consolidation and labor market measures

Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) identified budget consolidation as the first cornerstone of government work. This consolidation should take place in close cooperation with states and municipalities and is part of reform discussions aimed at strengthening the business location. According to the heads of government, in the coming weeks there will be concrete steps to implement already announced labor market measures, while the monitoring of messenger services will also be pushed forward.

A notable point in the current debates about nursing professions is the reform of nursing training, which was set out in the Nursing Professions Reform Act. The law came into force on January 1, 2020 and replaced the previous geriatric care and nursing laws. The aim is to modernize nursing training and make the nursing profession more attractive. This is done by introducing a three-year, generalist training program that includes both academic and practical components so that trainees are optimally prepared to provide care for all age groups. After all, these reforms should also make it easier to switch between different care areas and create employment opportunities close to home.

Opportunities for nursing staff

In the third year, trainees will be able to choose between different qualifications: continuation of generalist training or specializations in geriatric care or pediatric nursing. This gives prospective nursing staff freedom of choice, which is intended to contribute to improved quality of care. The aim of these comprehensive reforms, as set out in bmfsfj.de is set out to create additional employment and advancement opportunities for nursing staff.

The high priority that the current government assigns to the nursing professions and the associated training is also reflected in the positive climate of rapid and cooperative cooperation among the three party leaders. This gives hope for progress in the political agenda and raises expectations for the coming months.