Earn more in care - Your path to Independence

Higher earning potential and more self-determination: Restart your career in nursing!

Caring for others is a noble and fulfilling activity, but one that often comes with financial challenges. Perhaps you know the feeling of giving your all day after day and still looking at your bank statement at the end of the month with worry. But it doesn't have to stay that way! Many Caregivers underestimate how much potential there is in their daily work. If you're thinking about increasing your income and possibly even becoming self-employed, we'll show you the right way here.

We explain step by step how you can increase your income through further education, Surcharges and an intelligent independence - all without jeopardizing your care allowance entitlements.

How to increase your income with further education

More qualification = more salary

In nursing today more than ever: Those who continue their education not only increase their knowledge, but also their earnings. Whether through short further training courses or more comprehensive specializations - every additional qualification takes you further in your career and increases your chances of finding more lucrative jobs.

Nurses with recognized advanced training, such as in Dementia care, earn on average up to 15% more salary than colleagues without specialization - this is shown, among other things, by an evaluation of the AMS Austria [source: AMS Austria, ams.at/weiterbildung].

However, further training does not automatically mean that you have to remain in a fixed employment relationship afterwards. More and more nurses are using their newly acquired knowledge to take the next step into self-employment - a model that can not only give you more flexibility, but also a higher income.

Recommended training for 2025

Further education"Dementia Care"

This specialization is particularly in demand - especially among older people who suffer from Alzheimer's or other cognitive impairments. The training can be completed while working and not only improves your skills, but also your job opportunities significantly. Remuneration is often noticeably higher for specialized staff.

How to deal with bedridden people

This further training is practice-oriented and accessible to all nursing staff, regardless of previous qualifications. This expertise is particularly in demand in home care - and allows you to charge fair, higher hourly rates, especially if you work independently.

Note: noracares itself does not offer any further training or certificates - we are the platform on which you can train yourself after the training connect directly to families who are looking for a qualified caregiver. 

Case study from everyday life

Anna, a dedicated nurse from Vienna, felt she was no longer getting anywhere professionally after two years of work experience. She decided to take part-time further training in the field of Dementia Care. Just six months after graduating, she was able to enjoy a job in a specialized care facility, which not only gave her 300 euros more salary per month, but also more confidence in dealing with complex patient situations.

With her new profile, she registered at noracares, created her profile with the new qualification and was contacted by two families looking for dementia support for their relatives in the very first week. Today, Anna works independently, coordinating working hours and tasks directly with the families - without referral agency or fees - and has finally regained control of her day-to-day care.

Nora's Tip: If you continue your education, you will not only have a professional advantage - you will also be found by more families who are looking for someone with your exact profile. Register with noracares, create your care profile and take the next step towards your financial independence.

Smart use of bonuses and allowances

If you work in nursing, flexibility in your work schedule can have a direct impact on your account. In Austria and Germany, you have the opportunity to receive attractive bonuses by working at weekends, on public holidays or at night. These special payments are regulated in the collective agreement and vary depending on the federal state, provider and institution.

What are the surcharges?

According to the Collective Agreement for Nurses in Austria (valid 2024/2025), for example, you will receive a fixed night bonus of at least € 25 for night work, an additional 25% for Sunday work and often even more for public holidays. You can find the exact regulations at the trade union GPA - Pflege-KV.

In Germany, the regulations are set out in the collective agreement for the public service in the care sector (TVöD-P). Here, too, you can expect supplements for night and weekend work of 25-35%. The Ver.di care tariff information portal provides a good overview.

Example from everyday life

Peter, a qualified nurse from Graz, has been working in a public hospital for five years. He made a conscious decision to regularly work night shifts and public holiday shifts. These additional benefits have increased his monthly net salary by over 20%. This not only gave him financial independence, but also enabled him to finance a long-awaited training leave - with the prospect of a managerial position.

Why these services are worth it for you

• Financial advantage: With just 3-4 additional night shifts per month, you can earn several hundred euros extra.
  
   
• Career Booster: Employers often see flexibility and commitment as a plus point for promotions.
  
   
• Plannable increase: You decide how often you take on services - to suit your lifestyle.
  
   

Self-employed as a care worker - Your path to a higher income

The 24-hour-care offers particularly lucrative earning opportunities for caregivers who are striving for self-employment. As a self-employed carer, you decide for yourself which jobs you accept and bill the clients or their relatives directly. This means there are no additional placement fees.

Benefits of self-employment with noracares

If you want to maximize your income, the platform noracares is an excellent option for you. Here, you choose who you work for and where you work - with no hidden costs:

• No agency fees
• Direct billing with customers
• Getting to know customers in advance via email and video chat

Find out how you can directly find nursing jobs at noracares and start your independent career right away!

Example from practice

Maria is originally from Romania and has been working as a self-employed caregiver through noracares for two years. At first, she was very afraid of traveling abroad alone and caring for strangers. Thanks to noracares, she was able to get to know her clients beforehand, build up trust and overcome her fear. Today, Maria can organize her income flexibly - without the need for an agency. For her, self-employment is not only a financial gain, but also a personal success.

Your earnings are in your hands! Working in nursing often means giving more than you might get back. But that doesn't mean it has to stay that way! Whether through targeted further training, attractive bonuses or the courageous step into self-employment - you actively decide on your income and your future. Take advantage of these opportunities and restart your career today, accompanied by noracares!

• Care allowance: The care allowance is a financial support that people in need of care in Austria or Germany receive. It is intended to help cover the costs of necessary care - whether provided by relatives or professional carers.

      

• Surcharges: Supplements are additional payments for nursing staff who work outside regular working hours - for example at night, at weekends or on public holidays. They are regulated in collective agreements or wage agreements and can significantly increase the monthly income.

        

• Self-employed caregiver: A self-employed caregiver is not employed by a company, but works on their own account - often in 24-hour care or hourly care. They bill the families directly and therefore have more control over their working hours and income.

     

• 24-hour care: With 24-hour care, the caregiver lives in the household of the person being cared for and is available around the clock. This model is particularly common in home care and offers attractive earning opportunities for caregivers.

      

• Nursing-Further Education: This refers to further training or specialization in nursing, for example in dementia care, palliative care or dealing with bedridden people. They improve professional competence and often increase salary prospects.

      

• Nursing leave: Caregiver leave means that you leave your job for a certain period of time or reduce your working hours in order to care for a close relative. In Austria, there are legally regulated models for this with financial support.

        

• Care level: The care level describes the degree of care required by a person. In Germany, this determines the entitlement to care allowance and benefits (care degree 1-5). In Austria, a comparable classification is made via the care allowance system.

     

• Commerce Authorization: If you want to work as a self-employed caregiver in Austria, you need a so-called business license for personal care. This is applied for via the Chamber of Commerce and is a prerequisite for practising your profession legally.

   

• Collective Agreement (CBA): A collective agreement is a written agreement between employers and trade unions. It defines the working conditions, minimum wages and bonuses for certain occupational groups - including in the care sector.

   

• TVöD-P: This is the collective agreement for the public sector in the care sector in Germany. It regulates salaries, working hours and allowances for nursing staff working in the public healthcare sector.