06.03.2026

On March 3 and 4, 2026, the 8th "Future of Nursing" conference took place at the Nuremberg Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences. The event, organized by the Nursing Practice Center (PPZ) Nuremberg, attracted around 250 participants from nursing practice, science, politics and industry. With over 90 scientific submissions and eleven exhibitors, it underlined its role as a central platform for knowledge transfer and networking.

Under the motto "Digital transformation - smart, safe, confident", the two-day event focused on the opportunities and challenges of digitalization. The agenda covered the relevant topics of knowledge transfer and implementation, technological innovations such as telecare, AI, robotics and fall prevention, skills development, financing and ethical issues. Specific solutions and needs were identified together.
"Our motto focuses on how technology can really improve everyday care. Smart through early dialog between developers and users. Secure through consistent data protection and IT security. Confident, when care professionals and those affected are empowered to use technologies competently and confidently," summarizes Marlene Klemm, Head of the Nuremberg Care Practice Center.

A varied programme enriched with workshops, short paper sessions, a poster exhibition, an innovation competition, "Meet the Podcaster" and "Meet the Influencer", an organized session and a scientific networking meeting offered plenty of space for dialogue and exchange in order to make practical change visible. Renowned experts provided impulses on ethics in the digital transformation, qualifications for future care and innovations. The exhibiting companies presented relevant products and services for practical use.
Prof. Dr. Vera Antonia Büchner, Chair of Management in Healthcare at Nuremberg Institute of Technology Georg Simon Ohm, emphasizes: "With over 90 abstracts, the 8th 'Future of Care' conference demonstrates the high scientific resonance and interdisciplinary breadth of current care research. It combines empirical studies, evaluation approaches and practice transfer in a dialog between science and care practice - for evidence-based further development of digital innovations in care."

Experts, researchers and decision-makers used the platform to collaborate, share experiences and gather new ideas. The diversity of perspectives encouraged practical discussions and joint approaches to solutions.
Marina Iftner, Project Manager at Bayern Innovativ, is certain: "Innovation in care arises where technology meets practice: the 8th 'Future of Care' conference networks science, practice, politics and technology development in order to further develop digital solutions in a practical way and implement them sustainably - for sustainable care that relieves the burden on carers and serves people."

The conference made it clear that digital transformation combines technological, qualification, organizational and ethical aspects. The impetus will be incorporated into the "Future of Care" cluster funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and will be taken up in future transfer activities.
Conclusion and outlook
With 250 participants, over 90 presentations and eleven exhibitors, the conference sent out a strong signal for the digital transformation of care. The 9th "Future of Care" conference will take place on April 13 and 14, 2027 in Hanover.