Nursing internship abroad: Start your professional career in the medical field
The nursing internship, officially called nursing internship, is one compulsory component of medical studies and at the same time a prerequisite for admission to the Physikum for all medical students in Germany. Anyone who starts studying medicine in Germany after graduating from high school must therefore have one internship complete.
These internships offer an excellent opportunity for experience abroad, as suitable placements are available in many countries and volunteers with a medical background are welcome almost everywhere.
Double horizon: Discover the country, people and your professional future with an internship abroad
If you are one Internship abroad This gives you the opportunity to explore a foreign country twice. On the one hand, you will get to know everyday working life in a meaningful context, and on the other hand, you will also have the opportunity to travel the country privately. This opportunity is particularly available after high school graduationif you're just starting your medical studies. The wide range of skills you acquire during your stay abroad will make your trip a far more immersive experience and change the way you view the country.
Popular projects
Tanzania & Zanzibar | medicine & care
from 4 - 52 weeks
from 18 years
Tanzania & Zanzibar | medicine & care
from 4 - 52 weeks
from 18 years
South Africa | medicine & care
from 4 - 52 weeks
from 17 years
India | medicine & care
from 4 - 12 weeks
from 18 years
Sri Lanka | medicine & care
from 4 - 12 weeks
from 17 years
Ghana | medicine & care
from 4 - 12 months
from 17 years
Nepal | medicine & care
from 4 - 12 weeks
from 18 years
South Africa | medicine & care
from 4 - 52 weeks
from 17 years
Uganda | medicine & care
from 4 - 52 weeks
from 17 years
Places for internships in the medical field
In our medical internship programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, we offer internships in various types of institutions, including both private institutions with state recognition and state sponsors. Our programs are open and welcome to medical students as well as nurses, midwives, maternity nurses, pediatric nurses and nursing assistants in training.
Hospitals in Africa:
Community hospitals are particularly widespread in Africa and Asia. Due to the high cost of inpatient treatment in large hospitals, most people prefer these smaller facilities. However, there are situations in which community hospitals do not offer overnight accommodation, which is why only outpatient treatment can be carried out there.
Day clinics:
Retirement homes and nursing homes for seniors:
Important information about the recognition of the nursing internship
In general, your nursing internship will only be recognized if it was carried out in a hospital or clinic where there is continuous medical supervision. The decisive criterion for the recognition of the nursing internship is the certificate from the hospital or the wards where you worked.
Basic care includes all actions that are necessary in connection with personal hygiene, nutrition and exercise. This includes assistance with personal cleansing and care, dressing and undressing, providing and assisting with meals, assistance with feeding, accompaniment to the toilet, special positions, promoting mobility, accompaniment to doctor's appointments and daily rounds and other related activities.
Facilities that are not recognized:
- Emergency room, anesthesia, operating room or dialysis station
- doctor's office or group practice
- pension schemes
- Facilities that primarily deal with cosmetic procedures and treatments
- Mobile social assistance service
- Outpatient dialysis center
The state examination office checks whether the nursing internship completed meets the requirements and regulations for medical studies. This includes checking whether the internship took place in a suitable institution and whether the duration and content meet the requirements.
proof
An internship confirmation is required for the nursing service to be recognized.
The following points must be included:
- The original signature of the nursing supervisor
- Institution's stamp/seal
- Name, address and contact of the institution
It is often not clear from the stamp of a foreign institution whether it is actually a hospital in the traditional sense.
The certificate should contain the following information:
- activities carried out
- Description of the facility with number of beds and wards
- Naming of the medical director and nursing service manager
- informal application
Important note:
- Appropriate forms should be used for the certificate.
- The certificate must not be dated before the end of the nursing service. Predating will not be accepted.
- The final certificate must be presented in the relevant national language with a German translation (by a translator sworn in in Germany). Publicly available interpreters and translators are listed in the regional courts’ lists. In addition, the can Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ) provide information.
- The certificate should be issued on hospital letterhead.
- When all documents are submitted, a decision will be made as to whether the information on the certificate is sufficient or whether a translation of the stamp or an additional certificate is required.
Requirements for recognition of a nursing internship for medical students abroad
The requirements for recognizing a nursing internship abroad can vary depending on the country and the national regulations. However, there are some general requirements that often need to be met:
- Recognized institution: Internships should be conducted in a nationally recognized or accredited healthcare facility or medical facility.
- Duration of the internship: The minimum duration of the internship should correspond to the requirements of the respective country or the requirements of the responsible medical regulatory authority.
- Internship report: As a rule, it is necessary to prepare an internship report or a nursing report that documents the skills and experience acquired during the internship.
- Supervision: The internship should take place under appropriate professional guidance and supervision to ensure that the interns acquire the necessary skills and knowledge.
- Approval and notification: In some countries, the internship must be approved in advance or reported to the relevant medical regulatory authority.
- Minimum age: In some cases there is a minimum age to complete a nursing internship abroad.
- Linguistic proficiency: Depending on the country and facility, proof of sufficient language skills may be required to communicate effectively with patients and medical staff.
It is important to note that the recognition of a nursing internship abroad can vary from country to country and it is advisable to find out in advance about the specific requirements of the respective destination country. Medical regulatory authorities, medical faculties or university bodies can often provide information about the exact requirements.
For a compulsory internship, a certificate or proof of successful completion of the internship is usually required in order to have it later recognized for medical studies or other purposes.
Framework conditions for the recognition of a nursing internship abroad
According to § 6 paragraph 1 of the Licensing Regulations for Doctors (ÄAppO), the purpose of the nursing service is to support students or prospective students
- to familiarize themselves with the usual nursing activities (basic nursing activities).
- to introduce the organization and operation of a hospital or a rehabilitation facility with comparable care requirements, so that the future doctor receives a comprehensive insight into the interaction of the various professions in the healthcare system.
§6 ÄAppO
A pair of three-month nursing service is part of the medical training. The nursing service can be performed both before you start your studies and during your studies (during the semester break).
This assignment must not be less than 90 calendar days. The service should take place all day and as continuously as possible, whereby a division into 3 sections of 30 calendar days each is possible. If the stay at the medical facility is less than 30 calendar days, the nursing service cannot be recognized as a whole.
The service of the Nursing Service is to be communicated when reporting to the First Section of the Medical Examination.
Diverse opportunities for nursing and medical internships abroad for professional and personal development
The Practical year (PJ) in medical studies is an important phase in many countries in which aspiring doctors complete their clinical training and gain practical experience in various medical specialties. A internship abroad enables medical students to get to know medical practice and the healthcare system of another country. This can broaden horizons and deepen understanding of global health issues.
Nursing and medical internships abroad
If you prefer working with older people, you could do a nursing internship in one Retirement home be exactly right for you. In many disadvantaged areas, older people experience difficult lives, particularly if they have no family support. Our projects aim to support such people by working in an institution that cares and cares for them.
Other difficulties such as limited facilities or staff shortages also need to be addressed, so any form of support is extremely welcome. If you already have medical knowledge, you will not only learn here yourself, but also be able to pass on your own specialist knowledge.
Discover the ideal country for your nursing internship as part of your medical studies
So why not take the opportunity to look beyond your own horizons, combine gaining professional experience with your passion for traveling and plan a stay abroad in countries like South Africa, Ghana, Sri Lanka or Nepal?
If you would like to complete a nursing internship in the medical field, we have various locations available to you. If you are interested in the African continent, this could be Orientation and nursing internship in Tanzania or a Medical internship in Ghana be interesting for you. A nursing internship abroad is a unique opportunity for medical students and those interested in distant places!
If you would rather go to South America, that is also possible! You have the opportunity to present yourself as Intern in Peru to get involved and to support children and adults with psychological or physical challenges in their riding therapy.
