North Rhine-Westphalia strengthens nursing education with new ombudspersons

North Rhine-Westphalia has appointed new ombudspersons to continue its independent mediation service for nursing education. The Ombuds Office for Nursing Education was set up in 2020 under the Nursing Profession Act and operates from the Münster District Government. Its purpose is to help trainees resolve disputes and complete their training without legal action. The Ombuds Office acts as a neutral, out-of-court mediator for conflicts between nursing trainees and their training providers or schools. Trainees facing issues during practical training can reach out to the office, which then assigns an ombudsperson to handle the case.

Prof. Dr. Barbara Knigge-Demal has been an ombudswoman since the office’s creation and helped establish its structure. The new team—Brigitte von Germeten-Ortmann, Ludger Risse, Thomas Kreutz, and Kerstin Schönlau—will serve for the next four years on a voluntary basis. They bring professional expertise and years of experience to their roles.

All proceedings are voluntary, free, and confidential. The office also identifies broader problems in nursing education and suggests improvements. Its recommendations, however, carry no legal weight. The appointment ensures the continuation of an independent mediation service for nursing trainees. The office will keep supporting early dispute resolution and structural improvements in education. Its work remains accessible to all trainees at no cost.