Frequently asked questions

INGA Pflege is a new professionally integrated compensation measure for internationally educated nurses. This concept is an adaptation course that enables internationally educated nurses to have their professional qualification recognised in Germany. It also prepares them for working in Germany. As an adaptation course, INGA Pflege combines efficient professional recognition, effective familiarisation with the host institution and the strengthening of communication skills in the profession.

The components of the programme are guided practice in the institution, theoretical and practical lessons and integrated language support. The teaching units are carried out in tandem by one specialised teacher and one language teacher (team teaching). Language, communication and care skills are taught, intensified and reflected upon in a job-orientated manner. The focus is on confidence in everyday professional life.

As part of the adaptation course, recognised nurses first complete a two-week introductory module and a three-month basic module. An additional advanced and supplementary module can be added depending on the post-qualification requirements.

Advantages at a glance:

– Appreciation of internationally educated nurses

– Adaptation course as a form of recognition of existing expertise of internationallyeducated nurses (alternative to the knowledge test)

– Less excessive demands and stress

– Consideration of completed training throughout the entire concept (based on GfG sample reports)

– Start with B1 CEFR through intensive language support

– Dovetailing of integration management concept and DKF toolbox

– Recruitment with agencies that have the ‘Fair Recruitment Healthcare Germany’ quality mark

– Preparation for care work in Germany

– Nursing subject-specific language support through lessons in tandem with specialised and language teachers

– Skills acquisition through targeted equalisation of training differences

– Coverage of all areas of expertise

– High proportion of practical instruction in your own institution

Facilities that are suitable for implementing INGA Pflege are hospitals, outpatient and inpatient nursing facilities. The pilot facilities should fulfil the following requirements:

– Group recruitment to enable a joint start to the course

– Recruitment via agencies that have the ‘Fair Recruitment Healthcare Germany’ quality mark

– An operational integration management concept exists or is being set up

– Willingness to cooperate with DKF and GIM in the pilot phase

– Willingness to enable involved employees to participate in accompanying workshops

– Responsible practice guidance

– Availability of qualified practical instructors to implement the measure in the organisation

– Clear responsibility structures regarding the implementation of measures in the institution

– Possibility of cooperation with a state-recognised nursing school to provide theoretical and practical instruction

– Possibility of working with a language teacher for the duration of the programme implementation

If you do not yet fulfil the requirements listed, we will be happy to support you.

Responsibility for planning INGA Pflege lies with the employer. The DKF provides employers with advice on implementation planning. For example, it provides support in setting up cooperation with a nursing school and with language teachers or a language school.

The DKF offers support in coordinating and accompany planning meetings, stakeholder management, consultations on the Welcome Culture & Integration Toolbox, through communication with the competent authorities and networking with the research and transfer centre for societal integration and migration (GIM) on methodological-didactic issues.

The DKF is happy to help you in acquiring language teachers. However, the responsibility for acquisition always lies with the employers.

The use of the concept and the support provided by the DKF and GIM are free of charge for the facilities during the pilot phase, but the individual cost calculation for implementation is the responsibility of the organisation. The DKF will be happy to advise you on the personnel and structural requirements for INGA Pflege so that you can calculate the costs individually for your organisation.

The calculation of the costs comprises and depends on:

– Personnel costs for specialised teachers, language teachers and practical instructors

– Room costs for the tuition

– Teaching and learning materials

– Working materials

– Examination fees for language exams

The funding possibilities for INGA Pflege depend on various framework conditions. The DKF is happy to offer advice here.

INGA Pflege is currently being implemented at three pilot facilities in the federal states of Brandenburg, Hamburg and Saxony.

The learning content of this concept is based on the sample reports provided by the Assessment Centre for Healthcare Professions (Gutachtenstelle für Gesundheitsberufe ,GfG). INGA Pflege is therefore suitable as an adaptation course for all training programmes for which a GfG sample report is available.

Team teaching enables subject content and language knowledge to be taught in combination and learning gains to be achieved in both areas.

Team teaching throughout the lesson ensures that the subject content is fully understood with the existing knowledge of German. At the same time, it increases the language and communication skills of the specialist staff in recognition so that they can cope with the requirements in the classroom and in practice.

The cooperation between subject and language teachers in the planning and implementation of subject lessons means that responsibilities are distributed sensibly among all those involved in the qualification process. Teaching organisation tools can therefore be used flexibly and effectively.

Team teaching offers many advantages for the learners: Lessons are varied, learners can receive quick feedback and strong individual support.. Team teaching also offers opportunities for teachers: When implementing team teaching, they can expand their specialist and methodological knowledge. The joint planning of lessons also conveys a sense of security and can relieve the burden of preparing and organising lessons.

To be able to work as a skilled worker in Germany, internationally educated nurses must apply for a so-called professional licence (Berufsausübungserlaubnis).

The first step on the path to professional recognition is the equivalence test. The competent authority in the federal state in which the internationally educated nurse wishes to work checks based on the documents whether the international vocational qualification is equivalent to the German nursing training.

If the equivalence assessment by the competent authority shows that the training content differs significantly, the competent authority issues a so-called assessment notice (Feststellungsbescheid). This lists the main differences between the education programmes.

In the case of substantial disparities between the international vocational qualification and the German reference profession, nurses can achieve equivalence through compensation measures.

There are two possibilities. One option is the knowledge test that takes place in a practical and oral form. The second option for compensation measures is professional alignment courses, that finishes with a final interview. They need to be coordinated with the responsible recognition authority. For the concept of INGA Pflege, the DKF obtains the necessary approval in advance. You can find further information about compensation measures in our  Welcome Culture & Integration Toolbox.

Internationally educated nurses from third countries have the choice between a knowledge test or a professional alignment course. Since both formats do not exist in every region, this right to choose cannot always be exercised, and the internationally educated nurses must complete the compensation measure that is offered locally. There is currently no overview of all existing formats offered throughout Germany.

Professional alignment courses are made up of theoretical and practical tuition as well as practical deployments, and finish with a subject-specific interview. INGA Pflege was designed as a professional alignment course.

The professional alignment course INGA Pflege specifically compensates for the significant differences identified in the GfG sample reports. The content therefore builds on the competences already acquired by internationally educated nurses.

During the programme, the nurses learn about professional practice in German healthcare and nursing facilities. The practical assignment takes place with practical guidance in the facility. This enables the expertise of the internationally educated nurses to be appreciated at an early stage and facilitates their professional integration.

During the adaptation period, the nurses get to know their workplace and their new colleagues. In addition to sustainable recruitment, this also promotes good career prospects locally.