Architects also earn well during their education, but the care providers do not

Thousands of qualified nurses are missing from nursing across Switzerland. One reason for this: those who pursue nursing training at a technical school after completing their apprenticeship are struggling financially. This was already something to talk about in the context of the care initiative, which voters agreed to in November 2021. A publication by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (BFS) now provides figures on this.

The statisticians examined the incomes of people who, after completing their apprenticeship, earned a higher technical college degree, a federal certificate, or a federal diploma. It therefore concerns higher vocational education – in all areas. Many enter such an apprenticeship after working for several years and earning accordingly.

A finding of the BFS therefore makes one think: for the majority, the income during the training is at least as high as before. Only 15 percent return. Three categories are affected: nursing, health and personal services.

The loss of wages for nursing staff is sensitive. Aspiring graduates Nurses HF (not to be confused with Fachhochschule FH) have to pay an average of 1360 francs gross per month during their training make ends meet Median means: one half has more available, the other half less.

According to the BFS, the fact that the income of 15 percent of graduates falls during their education also has to do with the fact that the majority of the work is full-time and Internships to provide. The differences in higher professional education programs are large: sometimes there is only one day and one evening a week, so that you can work on the side.

In contrast, training to become a licensed nurse specialist or certified nurse specialist is usually one three-year full-time course, for healthcare workers it is two years. Half of the training consists of internships. The future nurses are employed by a care company or by the school. The fall in incomes can at least partly be explained. Still, the problem becomes clear.

The Professional Association of Nursing Women and Nursing Specialists (SBK) has long criticized the low income during nursing education at technical colleges and technical colleges. Christina Schumacher, deputy director, says: “There is a serious shortage of qualified nursing staff. According to Jobradar, no other profession is currently as sought after as she is.”

To meet the demand, significantly more people would need to train as a qualified nurse after completing their health care internship, says Schumacher. The fact that they are no longer there also has to do with income: “The salary during the three-year training is far too low. Depending on the canton, this is 800 francs per month for the first year. So not everyone can afford to complete the course.”

Politicians have responded. To implement the care initiative, a training offensive is planned as the first phase. In total, the Confederation and the cantons will invest up to one billion Swiss francs in training over an eight-year period. Among other things, training grants are provided for prospective nurses at a higher vocational education or university of applied sciences. Parliament has already passed this stage and the law is expected to enter into force in mid-2024.

“The training offensive should bring improvement,” says Schumacher. Investing in education is very important. “But it’s not enough. The main thing is that not so many people are leaving the profession.” According to the SBK, 36 percent of nursing graduates give up their job in the first three years after graduation. Therefore, the second phase of implementation should be “addressed as soon as possible”. This is mainly intended to improve working conditions. The first benchmarks should be available soon.