Young nurse competes for gold at the World Skills Championships

Whether it's dementia, an artificial bowel outlet or diabetes: Anna Telle is familiar with a wide range of clinical pictures. The 20-year-old is still in training. However, after winning the German nursing champion title in June, she is now going for gold at the "World Skills" - the world championship of professions - in Lyon in mid-September. In order to be optimally prepared, the young woman is currently completing an intensive training program in Chemnitz under the strict eyes of her national coach Marcus Rasim.

Telle slips on blue gloves and ties up her curly hair. She approaches the patient with a smile, mimicked in training by a colleague. A so-called stoma care procedure is on the agenda. In this case study, the patient has had part of her bowel removed after being diagnosed with bowel cancer, meaning that her stool is now drained via an artificial outlet.

"You have to approach this very sensitively," she explains. This is a very unpleasant topic for patients. In addition to changing the bag and wound care, she also provides advice - for example on what to consider when it comes to nutrition. And not in their native language, but in English.

"It will be very stressful on site"

The competition is all about excellence, emphasizes trainer Rasim. The participants had to master 30 clinical pictures, for which the specialist judges tested around 280 individual criteria. This involves situations in hospital, geriatric care and inpatient or home care.

"It will be very stressful on site," predicts the expert. Around 1,400 participants from more than 70 countries are expected to take part in the competitions, as well as around 250,000 spectators. The best will not only be chosen in nursing, but also in other professions - from stonemasons and carpenters to mechatronics engineers, welders, bakers, chefs and hairdressers.

Competitors from 18 other nations

Telle is therefore up against competitors from 18 other nations in her field. She is very socially competent and keeps calm even in stressful situations, praises her coach. She says that she was practically born into the nursing profession. Both her parents worked in nursing. As a result, illnesses and wound care were a frequent topic at home - even at the dinner table.

The young woman was born and grew up in Chemnitz, where she also completed her A-levels. She is now completing her nursing training at the Zeisigwaldkliniken Bethanien. Telle sees her future primarily in the care of palliative patients. You have more time for the patients, she says. Because that is otherwise often lacking in everyday nursing care.