Part-time HF training - an interview with Stephanie Brügger

Why did you personally decide to do the part-time HF nursing training programme?

I did an apprenticeship as an MPA (medical practice assistant) and also worked in the profession for a few years. However, I wanted to progress and was aiming for a HF qualification. That's why I went to the careers counselling service. I had always toyed with the idea of becoming an HF nurse, but I was struggling to start from scratch financially and had no idea how a 3-year training programme with a salary could work. The careers counsellor then pointed out the possibility of part-time training, which would allow me to work part-time and earn a higher wage during my training. That's why I decided in favour of it despite the longer training period - the part-time training lasts 4 years. I was happy to accept the extra year.

What are the opportunities and advantages for you in a part-time HF nursing training programme?

The opportunities are quite clear: at the age of 26, I have been given another chance to complete a training programme without having a huge financial loss. I can also maintain my normal standard of living during my training. I also see an advantage in the fact that I had a little more time to get back into the role of a student. For example, I can go back to school, work part-time and, for example, combine family life with my training.

What are the challenges of part-time HF nursing training?

The challenge is to reconcile everything. The organisation is very complex at the beginning. When and how are the school blocks and the self-study and e-learning to be completed etc. included in them to be planned, how will that work? When can I return to the hospital for my internship? I asked myself all these questions and felt a bit overwhelmed at the beginning. For some of my class, it was a big change and very unfamiliar to work on all assignments on the PC and to work with e-learning and other digital learning opportunities. These students were still unfamiliar with digitally supported learning. Fortunately, that wasn't the main problem for me. I took a fairly relaxed approach. I knew that I would be able to cope with it somehow and didn't let it stress me out. OLAT is a very large learning platform, which is now a very valuable platform with the knowledge I have, but at the beginning it is simply overwhelming. And of course the recurring exams are also a challenge, but that is certainly the case for everyone and is also normal.

What personal resources do you think someone needs to have in order to successfully complete the part-time HF nursing training programme?

Definitely discipline and personal responsibility, motivation to learn new things and a new learning strategy to adapt to digital learning. However, I think discipline is the most important thing of all. It is an adult education programme and you are responsible for what you learn and do and how much of it. For example, you have e-learning assignments during the school blocks, which you have to upload to the platform by Sunday evening. You can organise the completion of the e-learning courses yourself and you have to plan very carefully so that it works with your part-time job, family, free time and so on. What I also find very important is finding your role during the internship, i.e. while working in the hospital. You may be older than the other team members or the vocational trainer at the company, or you may have had other roles in your previous career, so you need the flexibility to take on the student's hat again. But you also need the team members to see you as a student. The part-time nursing HF programme relies heavily on self-study and digital learning.

How do you experience this? What would you recommend to anyone interested?

I've already said a few things about this. I would advise everyone not to go crazy about it. Before you start your training, you will receive a link with which you can visit and familiarise yourself with the OLAT platform, but you won't get out of it without having received training. So just get started and be patient.

Have you taken advantage of the part-time employment option (20%)? What are your experiences with it?

Yes, I did take it. I first worked as a service employee because I didn't want to choose my old profession as an MPA as a part-time job, but wanted to do something completely different. I worked in a restaurant on Friday and Saturday evenings during school for the first two years of my apprenticeship and was able to combine it well. After that, however, I realised that school was getting busier and busier and that working alongside school was becoming difficult and I wasn't learning enough. And during the internships at the hospital, it's a challenge to work on the side due to the irregular working hours. You need a part-time job that allows you to plan flexibly.

How do you experience your support during your practical training at the hospital?

I find my practical training at Bethesda Hospital to be very positive and professional. I find the vocational trainers to be courteous and helpful and all apprentices and students are taken very seriously. I notice that a great deal of importance is attached to ensuring that the apprentices and students are well looked after and feel comfortable.

What else would you like to say about part-time training in HF nursing or tell prospective students?

If you want to develop or change your career path, this programme is definitely worthwhile. The extra year you have to invest is also definitely worth it. I'm not only learning the things I need as a future nursing specialist HF, but I'm also learning a lot of other things. Even if you are a bit older and it might not be socially appropriate to start training again at a certain age, the feedback from my fellow students is that they also benefit greatly from this time for their personal development.

Are you as enthusiastic and curious as Stephanie?

Then become part of the #Bethesdateam and get in touch with us - we offer insights into everyday working life in the following professions:

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