Barmer calls for more tailwind for the nursing profession

Nursing professions should become more attractive in order to meet the growing demand for staff. This is one of the findings of the latest care report from Barmer in Saxony. In it, the health insurance company refers to a sharp rise in the number of people in need of care. Since 2017, it has increased from 183,300 people affected to 341,500 last year, according to Barmer. However, only a small proportion can be explained by demographics. The main driver is the expansion of the definition of the need for care, which for the first time gives equal consideration to people with dementia in particular.

Training not at the expense of those in need of care

"Care should become so attractive that young people choose it as a meaningful profession and experienced professionals return to it. To achieve this, we need good working, training and further training conditions as well as the rapid integration of international nursing staff," explained Claudia Beutmann, Managing Director of Barmer in Saxony. However, none of this should be at the expense of those in need of care.

Barmer attests to the stability of the care sector in Saxony. Despite a declining workforce, statistics show that around 6,000 new jobs were created in the health and social care sector alone in 2025. The attractiveness of the nursing profession has increased. However, the financing of training remains critical. People in need of care in Saxony currently have to pay up to 136 euros per month through their own contributions.

The health insurance company called for an end to this burden. Training is a public service and therefore the responsibility of the federal and state governments and not of those in need of care and those paying contributions. The generalist nursing training and the Collective Bargaining Act have ensured higher quality training and better pay since 2020, it said. Since this year, for example, specialists have been allowed to provide certain medical services independently for the first time.

Nursing should be a dream job for young people

In Barmer's view, however, the profession still needs a tailwind. "A 15-year-old should be able to confidently call the nursing profession their dream job," says Beutmann. In addition to appropriate pay, better conditions for training and work, the retention and recruitment of trained nursing staff and good integration of international staff are key.