Care knows no borders!
As part of the “Care and Career” project, a delegation from the Bayreuth District Association of the German Red Cross (BRK) traveled to the People’s Republic of China in the summer of 2024. The itinerary included visits to the Red Cross Society of China in Beijing, as well as the partner educational institutions: Dalian Medical University and Gansu Medical College. The goal of the trip was to exchange ideas on training standards, explore cultural particularities, and strengthen cooperation in cross-border and intercontinental nursing education.
Professional exchange and lived integration
The delegation from the BRK District Association of Bayreuth included the district director, Markus Ruckdeschel, project manager for international recruitment Chen Chen, and the heads of nursing services Nadja Hars and Sandra Unglaub. Ruckdeschel emphasized the importance of intercultural exchange: “Coming from the People’s Republic of China and later working in Germany requires not only linking different healthcare and social systems on a professional level, but also actively fostering integration within the workplace.”
Attracting international nursing professionals to Bayreuth
The “Care and Career” project was launched in 2021 to address the shortage of skilled workers in the nursing sector. Its goal is to recruit qualified nursing professionals from abroad and provide them with solid training and comprehensive support for their integration into life and work in Germany. The Bayreuth District Association of the German Red Cross (BRK) not only offers training positions but also provides housing at the BRK Hostel and assistance with administrative processes such as visa applications and recognition of qualifications.
Collaboration with international partners such as Dalian Medical University in China and Gansu Medical College enables the alignment of training content and facilitates the recognition of professional qualifications, ensuring a smooth and timely transition into training and employment for international professionals.
With the “Care and Career” project, the BRK District Association of Bayreuth sends a strong signal for lived internationality and intercultural cooperation in nursing—while also making a tangible contribution to the sustainable solution of the skilled labor shortage in elderly care and nursing in Germany.
