Indian nursing staff for your hospital? The KSOB Clinic in Traunstein shows how it’s done
Attract skilled workers, relieve teams – Case Study WB
Initial situation
Like many German hospitals, Kliniken Südostbayern AG (KSOB) was facing a major challenge: too many unfilled nursing positions and too few qualified staff in Germany.
To counteract this, KSOB decided to recruit ten nurses from India.
To this end, WB commissioned us with the complete coordination of the project – from the selection of suitable candidates to language and cultural preparation as well as long-term support during the career start in Germany.
Selection process in India together with the nursing service management
Our local cooperation partner, the agency Envertiz Consultancy from Kochi (Kerala/India), was responsible for the pre-selection of suitable applicants.
As the final round of interviews was to take place directly in India, our HR expert Sonjoy Chaudhury, VP Client & Talent Acquisition, traveled there together with the Head of Nursing and CHRO of KSOB. Together, they not only conducted the interviews with the Indian applicants, but also visited local hospitals. This direct exchange made it possible to specifically assess both the professional suitability and the personal motivation of the candidates. In addition, our client was able to gain her own impression of the training and working conditions in India.
“For a good retention rate, we want our customers to really understand people and their working environment – and not just read CVs.” (Sonjoy Chaudhury)
Onboarding measures – to ensure successful integration
The effort involved in recruiting nursing staff from abroad is only worthwhile if they stay for the long term. WB therefore relies on a holistic integration concept that is divided into four phases:
- Language preparation
Sound language preparation is crucial for successful integration into everyday hospital life.
Those of the Indians who made it onto the shortlist therefore immediately began to learn German – the goal: language level B 2 with regional language coloration (here: Upper Bavarian dialect) and mastery of the specialist vocabulary required for nursing. The requirements here were based on the specifications of the Bavarian State Office for Nursing, which also requires a special technical language test.
- Intercultural training
Of course, all of our selected candidates also received intercultural training, which focused not only on German culture itself, but in particular on the working culture in German clinics. The participants learned in a practical way what teamwork, communication and hierarchies mean in German clinics – and what patients expect from a nurse in this country.
- Patience and personal support at the start
Princy, a particularly committed candidate with a good command of German, was the first to be recruited and was given priority in her induction. Sonjoy Chaudhury personally picked up the candidate at the airport, took her to her apartment in Traunstein and accompanied her on her first visit to the clinic. Our experience shows: Holistic “relocation packages” with support in finding accommodation, accompaniment to registration/banking/health insurance appointments, registration with the foreigners authority etc. and a warm welcome significantly increase the retention rate of foreign specialists.
A further 10 nurses will find their way from Kochi to Kliniken Südostbayern AG at the beginning of 2026.
- Monthly check-ups and 24/7 emergency hotline
Until the end of the trial period, Sonjoy Chaudhury holds monthly feedback meetings with the clinic management and nursing staff in order to identify potential difficulties at an early stage.
He also provides the Indian nursing staff with 24/7 emergency support via WhatsApp – including for personal issues such as homesickness or cultural uncertainties.
Results and feedback
The KSOB was so satisfied with the recruitment process and the applicants that it is continuing the recruitment process in India as a result of this positive experience. The plan is to bring more than ten additional nursing staff to Germany.
We would like to thank KSOB for the trustful cooperation and look forward to our next joint projects.
Indian nursing staff could also be a sustainable solution for your facility! We regularly organize exclusive WBinars on this topic and are also happy to answer your questions personally. Just get in touch.
Do you have any questions or would you like to discuss your project with us?
Your contact person
in our company:
Sonjoy Chaudhury
VP Client Relations