Bethel - "Sister Gabi" speaks plainly

Ralf Berning in Schutzkleidung bei der Arbeit auf der Intensivstation

Ralf Berning has had enough. For a long time. That's why the intensive care nurse at Bethel Protestant Hospital (EvKB) took action himself a year ago and campaigned publicly for better working conditions in the care sector. Ralf Berning speaks plainly in TV programmes, political talk shows and on social media. With success: his Instagram channel "_schwester.gabi" is followed by over 27,000 users. The 38-year-old provides insights into his day-to-day work on the intensive care unit and sharply criticises politics.

It all started with a Facebook post at the height of the second wave of coronavirus: Ralf Berning, nicknamed "Nurse Gabi" on the ward, vented his anger and addressed his post directly to the German government at the time. He criticised the shortcomings in nursing care, lamented the political failure during the pandemic and described the stressful situation in hospitals. The intensive care nurse then received a lot of positive feedback, which motivated him to continue on this path. There is a huge media response following the "Pro7" programme by Joko and Klaas on the nursing crisis, in which Ralf Berning also has his say. "That was overwhelming, and from then on everything took its course," he recalls.

Ralf Berning
"We're not loud enough."
Ralf Berning

Ralf Berning is now a popular guest on programmes such as "Markus Lanz" and "stern TV". "Even if it looks different on TV - I have stage fright and get very excited before such appearances," admits the Ahlen native. But it's also fun and a great opportunity to socialise. After the performances, there is often an opportunity to chat with the other guests away from the cameras. He finds out a lot after very open and intensive conversations behind the scenes. Such encounters motivate him to get involved in party politics himself. "I'm beginning to understand how politics is done," he says with a grin.

Ralf Berning at work in the intensive care unit
Ralf Berning has found his dream job in the intensive care unit at EvKB, and that's why he's committed to nursing.

Intensive care is still his dream job. Despite the aggravated situation due to corona, Ralf Berning has never thought of giving up. On the contrary: he wants to strengthen the nursing profession. Before he began his nursing training in 2014, he spent 15 years as a regular soldier in the German army and was also deployed abroad in Afghanistan. There is a motto in the army: "Don't complain, fight," he emphasises. And that's exactly what he does. Ralf Berning advises his colleagues to get involved too - in the trade union, at demonstrations or in the association. "Nursing complains a lot in small chambers. But we're not loud enough," he regrets. He is grateful that he has the full support and backing of the nursing management and the EvKB management. "I'm not muzzled and can say what I want openly - that's a privilege," says the qualified nurse.

In addition to the popularity, Ralf Berning is also encouraged by small successes, such as the suspension of penalties for non-compliance with minimum staffing levels in hospitals. There has been a lot of correspondence on this topic with federal politicians, including Karl Lauterbach. More staff, academisation of the nursing profession, appropriate pay and better training conditions - this is what "Sister Gabi" will continue to fight for. With her usual clear words.

Text: Christina Heitkämper | Photos: Mario Haase

This story simply told

Ralf Berning is a nurse. He believes that politicians need to improve the conditions in his profession. For example, he would like to see better pay. He appears on television programmes to draw attention to the problems. He talks to politicians and uses social media.

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    Bethel Protestant Hospital
    Kantensiek 11
    33617 Bielefeld

    0521 772-700

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    The Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel (EvKB) - Universitätsklinikum OWL der Universität Bielefeld (UK OWL) - is a maximum care hospital and one of the most important healthcare facilities in NRW. The Mara Hospital is a sister organisation of the EvKB. Together, the two hospitals manage 13 interdisciplinary centres, 27 clinics and institutes run by chief physicians and three inpatient departments.

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