Katharina Türk-Benda: Charting a Path in Nursing After Fulfilling Family Responsibilities

Katharina Türk-Benda, a native of Wiener Neustadt, has successfully transitioned from family responsibilities to a prominent role in the healthcare field. After completing her Bachelor's degree in General Health and Nursing at FH Wiener Neustadt in 2021, she has recently taken on the role of Interim Head Nurse at the Internal Medicine Department 2 at the University Hospital of Wiener Neustadt, starting in October 2024.

Following her high school graduation from the Wiener Neustadt BORG, Türk-Benda initially trained as a medical office assistant. She then dedicated nearly a decade, from 2007 to 2016, to raising her four children while managing household responsibilities. In 2016, she returned to the workforce as an office assistant, where she recognized her desire for greater professional responsibility within the medical sector.

In September 2018, Türk-Benda embarked on her nursing studies, engaging her family in the decision-making process to balance educational pursuits with her existing family commitments. Together with her husband, she created a plan to navigate the challenges of studying alongside parenting and household management. After evaluating their situation post-first semester, they found the arrangement sustainable, allowing her to continue her studies uninterrupted.

Three years later, she graduated with her Bachelor's degree, reflecting on the challenging yet enriching experiences she shared with her classmates. The time spent at the university was transformative, enabling her to develop both personally and professionally. She gained confidence in her abilities and discovered her passion for working with people.

Upon beginning her career in nursing on the Internal Medicine Department 2 in 2021, Türk-Benda further pursued her education by completing a training program in practical instruction at FH Wiener Neustadt in 2024. Her enthusiasm for continued learning drives her to seek additional educational opportunities.

Alongside her academic pursuits, Türk-Benda actively advocated for financial support for nursing students through her involvement with the Austrian Student Union. Having faced financial challenges firsthand, she took pride in contributing to initiatives that provide financial assistance to current students, believing in the importance of supporting future generations in the nursing field.

Türk-Benda remains committed to raising the profile of nursing as a profession, emphasizing its positive contributions and inspiring others to consider careers in healthcare. As the interim head of her department, she is determined to highlight the essential work performed by her colleagues and is motivated to implement positive changes within the healthcare system. Her goal is to ensure that those who have dedicated their lives to building a prosperous society receive the care and respect they deserve.