International Talent  Academy

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND INTEGRATION

International Talent Academy

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND INTEGRATION

Recognized educational partner for German clinics and nursing homes.

The International Talent Academy GmbH (ITA) was founded in 2023 to prepare international nurses for the knowledge test. With an AZAV certification, ITA strives for a high success rate in the professional recognition of these specialists. ITA works closely with partners who support recruitment, language education and social integration to ensure a comprehensive education and integration chain.

  • Targeted and systematic preparation for the knowledge test

  • Professional recognition as a nursing specialist in Germany

  • High success rate thanks to targeted training measures

Programs

What we offer

The programs and courses of the International Talent Academy prepare international nurses for the knowledge test. By passing this exam, the participants receive the title „State-recognized Nursing Specialist“ in Germany.

Goal: Successful knowledge test

Duration: 21 weeks (480 lessons)

Format: 60% online live lessons, 40% self-learning phases

Prerequisites: Degree in nursing outside the EU, knowledge of German (B1), 3 years of professional experience

Goal: Successful knowledge test

Duration: 7 months (640 lessons)

Format: 60% online live lessons, 40% self-learning phases

Prerequisites: Degree in nursing outside the EU, knowledge of German (B1), 2 years of professional experience

Curriculum

Framework conditions in care and legal foundations, cultural and religious characteristics, basic principles of hygiene, communication, care process

Care of a person with heart disease, care of children with fractures, focus on perioperative care and patient education

Care of people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, care for diabetes mellitus, focus on nutrition management and wound care, focus on oncological care

Nursing care for people with respiratory diseases. Focus on counseling, pregnancy and birth, premature and newborn care, ethics and morals, communication in challenging situations

Caring for people with psychiatric illnesses and dementia, prevention and health promotion, dealing with stressful situations, interdisciplinary cooperation

Nursing care for people with neurological diseases and diseases of the urogenital tract, basics of nursing science and research

Timelines

  • The courses start monthly and include six modules, including two weeks of exam preparation.

  • After a full-time week, classes take place on two working days per week.

  • Participants will also receive half a day of practical instructions and company learning phases from the employer.

Teaching and learning coaching

  • Teaching at ITA is supported by the 360eLearning platform, which is accessible to all participants and supervisors.

  • There is also learning coaching for participants with learning difficulties.
  • The courses include digital learning and live teaching units, self-learning phases and professional training in the company.

Responsibility

  • The International Talent Academy GmbH is responsible for compensating for the expertise determined by the recognition body.
  • The employment institutions are responsible for adapting to nursing practice.

  • The final knowledge test, consisting of an oral and a practical part, is carried out by the cooperating nursing school and the district government.

Long-term thought, delivered in the short term!

Our qualification approach

  • Course content meets the requirements of the supervisory authorities.
  • Adjustment of the process for individual entry and time flexibility.
  • Consideration of the heterogeneity of the learning group for optimal use of different qualifications and backgrounds.

  • Programs prepare for the knowledge test and promote integration in health companies.
  • Goal: High identification with the nursing profession and long-term career prospects in Germany.

  • Emphasis on practical skills and clear core competencies.
  • Development of professional competence through the integration of nursing, everyday, professional and educational habits as well as socio-cultural aspects.

  • Use of innovative learning platform and multimedia learning environments.
  • Individual support based on learning style and habits.
Our human image

Our Mission

Our transcultural image of man recognizes and respects the diverse influences of the geographical origin, religion, socio-cultural backgrounds and language of each individual, without falling into simple stereotypes or promoting exclusion. Diversity is considered an enriching way of life.

Managers bear a special responsibility by promoting values and basic attitudes that are characterized by a transcultural understanding.

The recruitment and integration of international specialists will be considered a central task of leadership in the coming years.

OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS

Our team consists of experienced nurses, nursing educators and social educators.

The ITA is managed by Bernadette Berger, an experienced nursing educator and manager.

Bernadette Berger (MHA)

Managing Director 

Bernadette Berger has extensive basic nursing and nursing education qualifications as well as many years of leadership and management experience: nurse, nursing educator, qualified nurse (FH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), managing partner of the International Talent Academy.

Bernadette Berger worked as a nursing director in hospitals for 25 years and has also managed nursing and hospice companies. With the Oberhausen Nursing Congress, she established a relevant nursing forum in North Rhine-Westphalia and managed it for many years.

Maike Bossler (B.Sc.)

Deputy Academy Director

Maike Bossler is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Nursing (specializing in education) and additional qualifications as a practical instructor and alternative practitioner.

As an experienced nursing educator, she designs digital and analog learning opportunities, manages learning platforms and provides practical support for trainees.

A particular focus is on the media-pedagogical design of learning processes, digital onboarding and the development and implementation of legally compliant examination formats – also at state level. Her scientific expertise was recognized in 2023 with the publication of her Bachelor’s thesis “Transformational course support instead of laissez-faire” in the nursing journal Pflege-zeitschrift.

Ulrike Steinecke

Head of Physiotherapy

Ulrike Steinecke’s professional career includes many years of experience in management positions in outpatient practices, acute clinics and rehabilitation clinics.

From 2001 to 2013, she was Chairwoman of the German Association for Physiotherapy (ZVK) e.V. for twelve years. She then spent five years establishing and managing the International Affairs and Cooperation department at ZAB – Zentrale Akademie für Berufe im Gesundheitswesen GmbH. In particular, she was responsible for the organization of specialist language courses for international doctors and the development of adaptation qualifications for nursing professionals from third countries in cooperation with the IQ network NRW.

From 2020 to 2022, as Director of Public Affairs and Cooperations, she played a key role in setting up Amesol GmbH and the Amesol Academy in Hamburg.

Since January 2023, she has been Managing Partner of Steinecke & Westerfellhaus GmbH.

In June 2025, she also took on the position of Head of Physiotherapy at the International Talent Academy (ITA).

Eva Reers (PA)

Practice coordinator

Eva Reers is a specialist healthcare and pediatric nurse for intensive care and anesthesia with an additional qualification as a practical instructor. She has been working in a pediatric intensive care unit for several years, where she is heavily involved in training new employees and supporting nurses in further training.

She also works as a practical instructor at the International Talent Academy (ITA), where she is responsible for digital practical support in particular. With her professional expertise and pedagogical skills, she makes an important contribution to the qualification and further development of nursing staff.

Katrin Winter

Certified nursing educator FH

Katrin Winter is a pediatric nurse and qualified nursing educator (FH) and has 20 years of clinical experience in nursing and as a lecturer and deputy head teacher at a nursing school. Since 2014, she has been working for the German Children’s Hospice Association (Deutscher Kinderhospizverein e.V.) as a coordinator in various areas.

She supports the ITA on a part-time basis: „Well-qualified nurses from abroad offer the opportunity to alleviate the tense personnel situation in the care sector. I am happy to support this.“

Laura Klingenberg

(M.A.)

Laura Klingenberg is a registered pediatric nurse with an academic background in nursing science (B.A.) and professional pedagogy with a focus on nursing and health (M.A.). Her professional career combines many years of practical experience – including in a managerial role and as a practical instructor in geriatric care as well as over a decade in a pediatric intensive care unit – with sound pedagogical expertise.

As a teacher and course instructor, she combines nursing practice with scientifically sound didactics. Her focus is on practical training and further education as well as the promotion of professional competence. She has been part of the International Talent Academy team since it was founded.

Nora Dankl

(M.A.)

With sound training and several years of experience in the pediatric hospital sector, Nora Dankl, BSc, MA, is an interdisciplinary qualified healthcare and nursing professional with expertise in nursing, social science and language education.

She is a qualified nurse with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a Master’s degree in Social Arts (Social Sciences) with a focus on clinical social work. She gained her practical experience over several years at an Austrian university hospital in the fields of neonatology, general pediatrics and pediatric surgery.

As a certified DaF/DaZ trainer (German as a foreign and second language), she combines nursing, social and language pedagogical skills. She currently works as a lecturer at the International Talent Academy and accompanies international nursing staff on their way into the German-speaking job market.

Sandra Mauer

Certified nursing economist FH

Sandra Mauer has knowledge of the outpatient and inpatient care sector with a focus on palliative care and gerontology (dementia). She also has experience in hospital case management for health insurance companies.

As a quality management officer and social services officer, she has successfully led outpatient care services across Germany to certification by the MDK. In a professional context, she has been leading and training groups on various health-related topics for 25 years. She has been working independently as a coach, trainer and lecturer in Germany and other European countries for 20 years.

Sefora Matthew

(B.Sc.)

Sefora Matthew is a nursing major who studied nursing science with a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2019. She previously earned an associate’s degree in science and nursing from Excelsior College in New York. With 25 years of clinical experience, Sefora has worked as a clinical instructor for the past 5 years. She has worked in numerous clinical settings and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education.

Sefora is passionate about advancing nursing practice and developing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Anne Bregulla-Fischer

(B.A.)

Anne Bregulla-Fischer is a qualified geriatric nurse. After training as a geriatric nurse, she took on responsibility early on as a residential area manager and later as a nursing service manager.

She deepened her professional expertise during her work at the Medical Service (MDK), where she carried out care assessments and prepared well-founded assessments for classification into care levels.

Another focus of her career is in outpatient intensive care, particularly in the care of ventilated patients. Parallel to this, she worked as an honorary lecturer at a nursing school.

In April 2025, she successfully completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing pedagogy and is currently studying for a master’s degree in vocational pedagogy with the aim of further expanding her pedagogical skills and actively shaping nursing education.

Jacqueline Fischer

(B.A.)

Jacqueline Fischer is an experienced health and nursing professional with a bachelor’s degree in health psychology and nursing. Her in-depth specialist knowledge in nursing as well as her many years of expertise in medical documentation in the field of cancer research have enabled her to work in various institutions – from inpatient care for the elderly to hospitals and public administration.

As a manager in a digital health company, she was also able to gain valuable experience in personnel management and development as well as quality assurance.

Thomas Röhrßen

Integration Officer

Thomas Röhrßen is a qualified psychologist, management coach and management consultant. He has been running strategy, structural and personnel development projects in hospital groups, hospitals and care facilities for over 30 years. He is the author of the specialist books “Leadership Performance Krankenhaus” (2021) for senior doctors and “Leadership Pflege” (2025) for nursing managers. The “Leadership Performance Navigator” he developed is the basis for management qualifications, leadership training and coaching in social enterprises, clinics and care facilities.

He supports the ITA in the areas of strategic integration management, assessments for international specialists and leadership seminars (“Transcultural and transformational leadership”).

Olena Paranko

(B.A.)

Olena Paranko is a committed and determined professional educator with a sound academic background in nursing and healthcare professions training and extensive international practical experience. Her educational path is characterized by continuous further training and intercultural competence.

She is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Vocational Education for Nursing and Healthcare Professions at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, having already successfully completed her Bachelor’s degree there. Her studies are complemented by an internship at the Höhere Fachschule Pflege in Bern, which gave her valuable insights into the Swiss education system and nursing practice.

Frank Schmitz

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As a healthcare and nursing professional with further training as an intensive care specialist and quality management manager, Frank Schmitz combines specialist expertise in intensive care with strategic process management.

Frank Schmitz cares for patients in highly complex medical situations and optimizes processes for efficient and safe care. His skills include the use of state-of-the-art medical technology, interdisciplinary cooperation and the implementation of quality standards in healthcare.

He is characterized by his sense of responsibility, ability to work in a team and solution-oriented thinking. His aim is to ensure excellent patient care and sustainably improve nursing processes

Dana Kushlyu

(M.Sc.)

Dana Kushlyu is an experienced speaker and occupational psychologist with a focus on stress prevention, resilience and intercultural competence. She has been holding seminars at universities and in companies on topics such as mental health, coaching and intercultural training since 2022. Previously, she worked for the Ministry of Justice and MediaMarkt, among others, where she developed and implemented measures to promote health and prevent burnout.

Her intercultural skills are based on certified further training and international experience, including in Moscow and the UK. She combines scientific expertise with practical mediation and supports people in working in a healthy, resilient and successful way.

Contact us

Do you have further questions about our academy, our learning concept or would you like to apply?