AOK Bavaria and Allensbach University launch project to integrate new nursing staff

Healthy onboarding in the care sector

Picture: AOK Bayern

AOK Bayern and Allensbach University are jointly launching the pioneering project "Healthy onboarding in care", which aims to reshape the integration of new employees in care facilities. The aim of the project is to use a holistic approach not only to make it easier for employees to start their day-to-day work, but also to promote their physical and mental health right from the start.

Onboarding is an important part of employee motivation and retention in many industries. Care facilities face particular challenges, such as high levels of physical and mental stress, shift work and night shifts. "We want to meet these challenges and, together with Allensbach University, create a targeted onboarding process that focuses on the health and well-being of new employees in the care sector right from the start," says Annette Lutz, Head of Health Promotion at AOK Bayern.

The comprehensive concept pursues several core objectives: Reducing sickness rates and staff turnover, promoting team development and motivation and creating a healthy and sustainable working environment. "Healthy onboarding in nursing" goes beyond professional induction and takes into account the entire reality of the new employee's life, from the first contact during the job interview through to long-term well-being.

Diversity and inclusion at the heart of the project

Various players work together in the onboarding process: The HR department provides the structural framework, the nursing manager implements health-promoting measures and the team takes care of social integration. Mentoring programs and individual support offer new employees an active start and long-term support. To make onboarding successful, it is also important to establish a positive corporate culture, strengthen managers in their role as health supporters and promote good social interaction. "We focus on integrating diversity and inclusion into the onboarding process in order to create a working environment in which all employees feel comfortable, regardless of age, gender or cultural background," says Lutz. The project also includes innovative measures covering topics such as sleep management for shift work and resilience training to prevent violence and addiction.

Timetable, success factors and measurability

After the planning phase, the concept will be tested in pilot projects from 2026 in order to further develop it in real working environments. Comprehensive implementation in other facilities is planned from 2027. In order to measure success, clear key figures have been defined, such as sick leave, turnover of new employees and qualitative feedback through regular surveys.

"With this project, we are making an important contribution to improving working conditions in the care sector and supporting the resilience of our employees. We are convinced that a healthy and motivated workforce is the basis for sustainable and successful care," explains Prof. Dr. Volker Nürnbergproject manager at Allensbach University.

The "Healthy onboarding in the care sector" project focuses on long-term change and offers a response to the current challenges in the care sector. "Through a health-promoting onboarding process, we can not only optimize the integration of new employees, but also create a positive working environment that strengthens both the nursing staff and the care facilities as a whole," says Nürnberg.

Press contacts: Dr. Regina Greck, Sebastian Küster, presse@by.aok.de, AOK Bayern, Carl-Wery-Str. 28, 81739 Munich, aok.de/bayern; Timo Keppler, Chancellor, kanzler@allensbach-hochschule.de, Allensbach University of Applied Sciences Konstanz