Although the Endo Clinic specialises in orthopaedics, Maria’s training covers a broader range of areas: she is gaining experience in various fields such as gerontology, intensive care, psychiatry and paediatric nursing. She therefore works not only at the Endo Clinic but is also gaining professional experience in care homes and in community care. During the two internship semesters, she works full-time, much like in a traditional nursing training programme, and receives a monthly net salary of currently €1,300 – also during the theory semesters.
In her third semester, Maria particularly enjoyed the lectures on caring for women in pregnancy and paediatric nursing. In her studies, she especially values the medical and clinical content and the opportunity to link theoretical concepts directly to practical examples. “I find subjects such as anatomy, pathology and nursing contexts really interesting because they give me a deep understanding of clinical pictures and treatment processes. In general, what I like about my degree is that theory and practice are closely linked. This allows me to apply what I’ve learnt directly and consolidate my knowledge.”
But for Maria, her degree is about more than just combining theory and practice. A key difference from traditional nursing training is the greater emphasis on academic work and research in the bachelor’s programme. “We don’t just deal with practical nursing, but also with topics such as nursing science, evidence-based practice and the further development of the healthcare system,” she explains, adding: “From the very start, various specialisations and further training opportunities are highlighted, for example through master’s programmes. This opens up new development opportunities in the midterm and contributes to the continued professionalisation of nursing.”
In the winter semester 2025/26, HAW Hamburg awarded Maria a merit-based scholarship for her excellent grades. This recognition means a great deal to her: “The scholarship motivates me to continue working with dedication and determination. It shows me that discipline and hard work pay off and gives me confidence for the rest of my studies.”
Maria moved from Venezuela to Hamburg in early 2023. She learnt German to C1 level and attended a Studienkolleg to meet the requirements for studying in Germany. It wasn’t easy at the beginning, but she got lots of support from friends of her family, who helped her settle in. She describes herself as rather shy and doesn’t always find it easy to make new friends, but she now feels very much at home in the city and enjoys the relaxed lifestyle in Hamburg with her many international and German friends. After successfully completing her bachelor’s degree and passing the state examinations, Maria will be taken on by the Endo-Clinic, so she plans to stay in Germany and build her career in nursing management.
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Text & photo: Ingrid Weatherall
