Evaluation of a project on Nursing education of refugees and other persons in need of support

Abstract

Abstract The European Social Fund, in cooperation with Baden-Württemberg, Germany, supports projects to attract people to care. Results of the project New paths in training occupations of the nursing assistant in Ulm (PfAU) (01.02.2017 to 31.03.2019) are presented. PfAU is divided into a) recruit interested persons, b) two-month preparatory course, c) one-year training in care for elderly or nursing with special support from school and care facilities. Focus is on individual participation in employment, non-discrimination and equality. The evaluation was formative and summative. A milestone discussion and semi-structured interviews with participants, project team and leader in care facilities were used. Data of participants were provided for evaluation. There were two rounds involving 40 people (f = 17, m = 23); shown following categories: I_Refugees (mainly men under 30, for religious reasons resistances against care for elderly); II_Economic migrants (mainly women under 30, preparing for migration in their home country); III_Non-European migrants (mainly women from different countries of origin, Au-pair employment or partnership in Germany); IV_Persons with learning disabilities and/ or individual difficulties from Germany (women and men mostly under 33 years). Reasons for leaving PfAU are motivational or language gaps, cognitive limitations, religious reasons, error expectations, health problems, child care, single parenting. Reasons for staying are financial support for the family, image, meaningful task, social network through chain migration. PfAU works, but long-term perspective and financial resources are necessary. Future funding should be based on the identified categories, with special attention to their individual support needs. Important are motivation and the idea of nursing activity. Preparation course should be extended. There should be an individual selection for the training. Existing teams in the care facilities must be supported in the integration. Key messages PfAU is just a pilot project. In future, permanent implementation is necessary to close the gap due to demographic change and skill shortages. Existing teams in the care facilities must be supported in the integration.