New nurses from Vietnam: International project starts in Krems!

New nurses from Vietnam: International project starts in Krems!

In a groundbreaking step to combat the nursing shortage in Lower Austria, training for 150 nursing assistants from Vietnam will start in March 2025 in the newly founded “International Nursing Center” at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems. State Councilor Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister and other project managers announced this during a celebratory event at which the first 41 trainees were warmly welcomed. On this special occasion, Teschl-Hofmeister emphasized that the decision of these young people to learn and work in Austria is of great importance, as the local population is getting older and needs high-quality care, as can be read at APA-OTS.

Lifeline for the healthcare system

The project is part of a comprehensive strategy for the country that includes three main pillars: prophylaxis, the expansion of care infrastructure and the promotion of nursing professions. By 2030 alone, 300 million euros will be invested in improving care facilities. Teschl-Hofmeister continued: “We need 9,500 new nursing staff by 2030, but although we have already taken many measures, we cannot achieve this number through local training initiatives alone.” Therefore, the internationalization of this project is crucial to ensuring sufficient nursing staff in the future. The training begins with a three-semester German course at the University of Hanoi, followed by practical training in Krems.

After successful completion, the new nursing staff will immediately work in facilities run by the Lower Austrian State Health Agency, which will benefit both new and existing employees. Karl Ennsfellner, Managing Director of IMC Krems, also reported on the university of applied sciences' many years of experience with the University of Hanoi, which creates confidence in the success of this project. The initiative is also strongly supported by Central Works Council Chairman Gottfried Urlaub, who sees diversity in nursing as an essential factor for a sustainable improvement in health care.

Everyone involved agrees: This pilot project could sustainably change the healthcare landscape in Lower Austria noe.gv.at confirmed. Training in the “International Nursing Center” is not only a benefit for the Vietnamese graduates, but also for the entire region, which depends on efficient and high-quality care.