Hi there,
Im just starting my studies in nursing at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and am wanting to work in Switzerland when I graduate (I am a Swiss citizen). I was wondering if anyone could suggest which language would be the most helpful for me to learn to do this? The Red Cross website suggests either German, French or Italian but I see that most of the hospitals there are German speaking. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, welcome to the forum.
What you read is correct and in order to know which language you must learn, first decide in which part of switzerland you want to live. I live in the german part and of course german is mandatory, I mean a lot of people speak english or at least understand it but if you learn german the doors open magically. I guess the same will be if you live in geneve and learn french or lugano and learn italian.
It might look that im not helping a lot, but i think in this you are the only one who can know whats the language, now if your question is which place will be better to live I live and love zurich.
In the other hand all over switzerland are lots of expat that share one thing, we all speak (or try to...) english. I need to make lots of calls to find services that manage english, so even with the language you already know could be great for expats looking for a nurse.

__________________
Best Zürich salon for Nails, Feet & Shellac, LUXIO, OPI click HERE

Good morning.
Great goals! Welcome to the forum.

Not sure if you are in touch with the Swiss Club in Auckland, they might be a useful contact for when you do move over here - in finding a job. Members are probably more of your parents or grandparents generation though

On the top right of the screen, you see a search function - type in "nursing" and you will also find these posts:

Recognition of Qualifications

Nurses are employable everywhere.

Hey thank you very much that's very helpful! I've had a chat to a few people and yes I think it would be wise to learn German, even if i just do a course to learn hospital language in German! We've been to Zurich before too and I loved it there, so I think that would be a good aim Thanks again for the advice, really appreciate it

Oh and thank you very much to Rangatiranui, yes I think we are members of the Swiss Club in Auckland! Such a useful organisation and I'm sure I will use them to find a job when I'm finally qualified!

Really, you should learn French. It is more accepted in the world, and it is easier to learn. All of French Switzerland is beautiful!
The French Swiss are a tad more easy going than the German side. The food in the west is MUCH better.

In my romansh summer course, there were two nurses of Portugese and Swiss German origine working at the medical center in Sta Maria (Val Müstair, Münstertal)... they had to go to the course in order to stay long term there.
Thus: Local language knowledge is a must, they even think of Romansh in this case, that says it all!!