Where the action is

"After my civilian service, I stayed on full-time at the Red Cross in Güssing for three years and trained as an emergency paramedic."

While looking for an opportunity to gain further qualifications, he came across the bachelor's degree course in healthcare and nursing, which he has been studying at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences since autumn 2019. What he likes best about it is "that the proportion of work placements is very high and that you can really start working straight away afterwards." For example, he completed internships in the emergency department at Oberwart Hospital, in cardiac monitoring and on the intensive care ward at Graz Regional Hospital.

The student remains loyal to the Red Cross. He completes several services per month in Güssing and Fürstenfeld. "I simply enjoy it. You never know what to expect on duty. My colleagues have become friends."

The last few years have been stressful, but very instructive, says Martin. There is definitely a job guarantee in this professional field. Martin already knew during his studies where he would work afterwards. He wrote his bachelor's thesis on the question of how medical honey affects a diabetic foot. "Research has been going on for some time, but the data is not yet clear," he explains. In any case, the fact is that honey has a positive effect on wound healing."

Martin can recommend both his studies and his involvement with the Red Cross. "It's fun and you can give something back to people."