24-year-old Kathrin works as a Federal VET Diploma health specialist at Nidwalden Cantonal Hospital. She enjoys caring for people with illnesses and carrying out medical procedures as instructed. However, Kathrin also enjoys doing administrative or organizational work in the background. She is highly valued by patients, team colleagues and superiors for her good empathy, organized way of working, keen powers of observation and great flexibility. Kathrin would like to take on more professional responsibility and is attending continuing education, further training to become a CHE nursing specialist. She chose to specialize in care and support for people with chronic illnesses at the College of Higher Education. After completing the federally recognized diploma, Kathrin can independently carry out nursing processes for chronically ill patients: Taking a medical history, making a diagnosis, drawing up a care plan, implementing care measures, evaluating care services and adjusting planned care. The CHE Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing provides in-depth nursing knowledge and additional knowledge in the chosen specialization. After completing the "College of Higher Education in Nursing" course, Kathrin can take on the role of team leader in the care of chronically ill people and carry out care measures as part of a team and monitor their effectiveness. She acts as a liaison between the medical staff, the patient and their relatives. Kathrin will make a significant contribution to improving the quality of care after her continuing education, further training, and will have better career opportunities and development prospects in the care sector.

Financial benefits of continuing education, further training CHE

As a project manager, Kathrin will receive CHF 1,765 more per month than before and will therefore have at least CHF 780,000 more at her disposal by the time she retires than if she had not completed this continuing education, further training at the College of Higher Education in Nursing with a CHE degree.

As this theoretical calculation does not take into account any further salary increases, promotions or interest on savings, the salary can still increase significantly.

Calculation in detail

Continuing education, further training CHE nursing specialist:

• 2 years, part-time with integrated internships
• No training costs in accordance with the HFSV agreement (costs covered by the canton where you have lived and worked for at least 2 years)
• Teaching materials, registration and admission fee: CHF 2,300
• Loss of earnings during the two years of full-time study: CHF 118,032 (2 x 12 x CHF 4,918)
• Internship salary: CHF 74,802 (2 x CHF 37,401 - 60% workload)
• Total training costs: CHF 45,530 (training costs plus lost wages minus internship wages = CHF 2,300 + CHF 118,032 - CHF 74,802)

Wage difference and return on investment calculation "Nursing specialist (CHE)":

• Difference in salary between the position as a Federal VET Diploma healthcare specialist and the position as a CHE nursing specialist: CHF 6,683 - CHF 4,918 = CHF 1,765 per month and CHF 21,180 per year (12 x CHF 1,765 = CHF 21,180)
• She recoups the total training costs of CHF 50,998 in just over two years with her higher salary as a CHE nursing specialist (CHF 45,530 / CHF 1,765 per month = 27.6 months)
• In the remaining 39 years until their retirement (26 to 65), this additional income will add up to CHF 826,020 (39 x CHF 21,180 = CHF 826,020)
• If the "College of Higher Education in Nursing" training costs are deducted from this additional income, a sum of around CHF 780,000 remains at its disposal(CHF 826'020 - CHF 45'530 = CHF 780'490)

Sources:

• The training costs correspond to an average of the "Nursing Specialist (CHE)" courses offered in German-speaking Switzerland.
• Wages were calculated in the federal wage calculator www.salarium.ch with the following settings:
• Calculations as a health specialist Federal VET Diplomabefore the College of Higher Education:
  • Region: Central Switzerland
  • Industry: 86 Healthcare
  • Occupational group: 53 care professions
  • Position in the company: Level 5 without management function
  • Hours per week: 42 hours
  • Education: Completed vocational training
  • Age: 24 years
  • Years of service: not specified
  • Company size: 50 and more employees
  • 12/13 monthly salary: 13 monthly salary (converted pro rata to 12 salaries)
  • Special payments: no
  • Monthly / hourly wage: Monthly wage
  • Result:Central value (median) ofCHF 4'918
• Calculationsafter graduating from the College of Higher Education in Nursing:
  • Region: Central Switzerland
  • Industry: 86 Healthcare
  • Occupational group: 32 Healthcare assistants
  • Position in the company: Level 3+4 Lower management
  • Hours per week: 42 hours
  • Education: College of Higher Education
  • Age: 26 years
  • Years of service: not specified
  • Company size: 50 and more employees
  • 12/13 monthly salary: 13 monthly salary (converted pro rata to 12 salaries)
  • Special payments: no
  • Monthly / hourly wage: Monthly wage
  • Result:Central value (median) ofCHF 6'683

(All figures as at November 2022)

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