Care reform takes first steps, now measures are needed to further develop the job profile.

"The transfer of the "Diploma in Healthcare and Nursing" to the universities of applied sciences has been an outstanding success. The Bachelor of Sciences in Health Studies degree is a real success story. The degree programme is well established and our graduates receive a lot of positive feedback in practice. Thanks to the three levels in nursing (notes: Nursing Assistant, Nursing Specialist Assistant and Certified Healthcare and Nursing at Bachelor's level) makes it possible to ensure excellent care for the population in the nursing sector. Austria has thus finally created internationally comparable standards. Universities of Applied Sciences stand for a permeable system that is open not only to students with a school-leaving certificate, but also to those with relevant professional qualifications. Universities of Applied Sciences thus enable all non-academic professionals in the care sector to obtain an academic qualification," said FHK President Ulrike Prommer on the occasion of the federal government's nursing reform concept.

Scholarship and bonus systems in the training of healthcare professions (healthcare and nursing, MTD and midwifery) are just as necessary for making them more attractive as future-oriented concepts that also enable skills development and specialisation on a scientifically sound basis.

"We see it as very positive that the federal government is now providing funding to upgrade the nursing profession and are particularly pleased for our students, who will benefit directly from this. However, we can only effectively meet the challenges in the healthcare system if we ensure the scientific development of the disciplines. In addition, in order to maintain the healthcare system in the future and ensure the provision of healthcare services to the population, we will be dependent on specifically trained Master's graduates in the healthcare professions. Master's degree programmes in the field of certified healthcare and nursing as well as in the field of MTD and midwifery are urgently needed at universities of applied sciences and must also be financed. The FHK is therefore committed to ensuring that these Master's degree programmes are also included in the UAS development and funding plan, which is currently being renegotiated with the Ministry of Science," said Prommer.