Basic requirement for a nursing job in Germany:
1. Graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
2. Registered Nurse (RN) certified by the PRC
3. In good health – both physical and mental
4. German Language Certificate minimum B1 Telc Pflege
Steps you need to take in order to get a job as a nurse in Germany:
1. Learn German
Achieve at least a B1 Telc Pflege language certificate before you mail off your resume with photo in nurse uniform. So you can attach your German language certificate to the application.
If you don‘t have the certificate, you can also enroll in an online German language course Levels A1, A2, B1, B1/B2 Telc Pflege. There are quite a number of available online language courses offered on the internet. Also, you may do self-study using You Tube and others like Goethe, Telc, etc.. For a guided online course for beginners, you may inquire for a slot at Deutsch Language Center per email: contact@deutsch-language-center.com. To obtain a minimum Level of B1 Telc Pflege, it can take ca. 6-7 months for a weekend-course especially for those who are working nurses.
2. Get an English-German translator for your credentials and certificates
Credentials needed for translation: birth certificate (PSA), marriage certificate (if married), BSN Diploma, transcript of records (TOR), related learning experiences (RLE), PRC RN certificate, PRC Rating, certificates of employment (COEs).
4. Application for Degree Recognition
In order to apply for nursing job and work permit in Germany, you will need to apply for recognition of your nursing qualification. File for recognition of your degree at the German Nursing Authority in charge in the state you’re going to work. This can take 2-4 months. A Notification Letter is issued by the German Nursing Authority informing the applicant nurse about the assessment result: 1) Full-Recognition, 2) Partial Recognition. For nurses with partial recognition, they will be offered an adaptation course/knowledge exam between 3-9 months at their workplace. This includes theoretical, practical and also advanced German language courses. At the end of the training course, an oral and practical exam / knowledge examination is administered by professional nursing intructors.
3. Take a German Language Examination
There are available Telc Testing Centers in the Philippines. Please check in the internet for the following Telc Test Centers: Euro Language Center, Cebu Branch, Iloilo Branch, Manila Branch (Tandem).
4. Apply for a working visa
After your qualifications were recognized by German Nursing Authorities you can apply for a work visa at the German Labor Office in charge in the state you‘re going to work.
5. Apply for a visa at the German Embassy in Manila
After you have acquired all original documents required by the German Embassy, you may submit all the documents in person in your home country.
8. Get your visa, move to Germany and start your nursing career!