Interview with Maëlle Risse, vocational trainer in nursing care

Maëlle, you are a vocational trainer in nursing at Bethesda Spital AG. What does this role mean to you?

This role means a lot to me. I can really identify with my job as a vocational trainer. It is important to me personally that I can support the next generation and pass on my knowledge and experience. This allows me to safeguard my profession in the long term. We have a clear shortage of staff in the nursing profession and by working in vocational training, I can make my contribution and ensure that future carers are secured.

Why did you decide to take on the role of vocational trainer in nursing?

Mainly because I enjoy working with young people. They always challenge me anew and I never know exactly what will happen today. I also never know exactly whether my own specialist knowledge is really solid enough, as the young apprentices and students are always coming up with new questions and new knowledge that they bring with them to their practical training. It is always a challenge to deal with the most diverse people and to engage with the learners and students anew every day and to adapt to their individuality and learning strategies. I want the trainees and students to benefit fully from the training and for me this means constantly adapting to them as a vocational trainer and, of course, to the care of the patients. It creates a kind of triangular relationship and that makes my work exciting and varied.

How do you experience your area of responsibility in vocational training in nursing in relation to your independent work?

My area of responsibility is very wide-ranging. In addition to caring for patients, I provide a rich practical learning environment for apprentices and students. I manage my working day very independently. I can organise it freely and adapt it to the learners and students. For example, I can also spontaneously pick out useful learning situations that arise, and the team in the nursing department is also very supportive in this respect. That's what makes it so varied and meaningful, and I can organise my working day freely and act as required.

How do you experience your role as a vocational trainer in nursing at Bethesda Hospital?

I think the role of nursing vocational trainer is highly valued in the hospital. This has also developed positively over the past year. The new training structure took some time and doubts had to be overcome, but it is now working very well.

Nursing vocational trainers are often brought on board and asked for advice. The newly developed vocational training standards are respected and integrated and vocational trainers are respected and their knowledge and expertise valued. There is now a give and take and this has also changed the roles of apprentices and students. They are also recognised and valued differently.

Where do you see potential for development in terms of vocational training at Bethesda Hospital?

I still see potential for development in the in-depth collaboration within the team, as the Nursing Education department. We can continue to expand our important network as vocational trainers so that we can support each other. However, I believe that we are all still growing into this and that it will simply take some time. After all, we are still a newly formed team and these developments take time. In terms of looking after and supporting apprentices and students, we work together in a spirit of trust, but we can still develop as a team. As a training hospital, we can invest even more in our standards with regard to the supervision and support of apprentices and students in their practical learning environment. After all, standards are also synonymous with quality. I believe that we can simplify a lot more with this and, above all, ensure that everyone involved is talking about the same thing, which will have a lasting impact on care.

How do you rate your own development opportunities (personal & professional) at Bethesda Hospital?

I see my development opportunities as very high. I have already been able to develop internally as an assistant to the core team in Nursing Education. I really value this opportunity. I have options on both a professional and personal level and am given the space to do so, and the resources that everyone brings to their day-to-day work are recognised and valued.

What would you like to achieve in your role as vocational trainer for nursing at Bethesda Hospital?

The most important thing for me is that apprentices and students enjoy their training. Despite the initial fears and uncertainties in the new professional field, they should realise that the nursing profession is fun, the training is enjoyable and they work with great people. It is also great that the trainees and students carry this into their personal environment. They are proud of their profession, stand up for it and promote it.

2020 is the year of carers and midwives. Is this special occasion tangible for you? What would you like to say in conclusion as a nursing vocational trainer?

As nurses, we often still see ourselves as people in the background who keep everything running but are not visible ourselves and sometimes don't want to be. I think we should make ourselves even more visible and put ourselves in the foreground. I also think that we in the vocational training team can set an example by showing the entire workforce what we achieve and guarantee in our day-to-day work. Nursing is valuable work and I think we really need to use this event as a vehicle and make it transparent from a nursing perspective. I still lack the courage and will of the nursing staff to really do this and show what we can do. This event is by and for us and we have to set an example and show this. As a vocational trainer in nursing, I also motivate apprentices and students for their future careers.

Finally, I would like to thank the nursing teams at Bethesda Spital AG. Thank you for supporting the change in vocational training so well and for being open to a new way of organising vocational training in nursing. And thank you for continuing to support and guide apprentices and students in your departments.

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