"Care Needs Reliability"
Interview with Alexander Gusev, Managing Director of Pacura med GmbH
Founded less than a decade ago, Pacura med GmbH is already among the leading staffing service providers in healthcare in Germany today. Managing Director Alexander Gusev cites the reasons for this success: appreciation and reliable planning. The people who work for Pacura med are always the focal point. A discussion about the challenge of making caregiving a desirable profession – and how the company succeeds in doing so.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Gusev, let us start with a look back. What was your idea behind founding Pacura med?
Alexander Gusev: We started in 2018, the two of us – with the idea of inspiring people for nursing and ensuring greater appreciation. At that time, nursing was not a significant social issue, and appreciation for the services that nursing staff provide every day was lacking in many places. We wanted to show that it is possible to create working conditions under which people are happy to work in nursing. That's why we immediately introduced a 35-hour week and ensured that vacation time remains vacation time. That was our starting point.
Wirtschaftsforum: That sounds like a clear commitment to the employees. What other steps were crucial?
Alexander Gusev: In 2020, we introduced the concept of People Managers. Each of our nursing staff has a dedicated contact person – even when they are deployed nationwide. By doing this, we put appreciation into practice daily. We were one of the first service providers to implement this so consistently. And yes, that was also a signal: With us, employees are not just praised in nice words on the website, but are the focus every day.
Wirtschaftsforum: You have a personal connection to nursing, correct?
Alexander Gusev: Yes. I come from the temporary employment sector, but I have known nursing since my childhood. My mother was a long-time geriatric nurse and later a nursing service manager. At home, I experienced firsthand how demanding and simultaneously important this profession is. It has strongly influenced my path.
Wirtschaftsforum: How has the coronavirus pandemic changed your company?
Alexander Gusev: Initially, it was a tough time. During the first wave, many stations were shut down, and at times we couldn't deploy up to 400 nursing staff – yet we didn't lay anyone off because we believed that loyalty pays off. And that has been confirmed. In the second phase, when the demand rose again, we were able to support with full strength. We deliberately did not double prices as some competitors have done. That is still paying off today: Our customers appreciate us as a reliable partner.
Wirtschaftsforum: How large is Pacura med today?
Alexander Gusev: We employ around 1,600 nursing professionals and provide about 300,000 services per year. With a revenue of around 160 million EUR, we are among the largest providers in the nursing sector in Germany – and have a unique nationwide setup.
Wirtschaftsforum: What differentiates you from other staffing services given this background?
Alexander Gusev: Firstly, our employees are satisfied, and customers notice this immediately. Secondly, our professionals bring enormous know-how because they get to know many stations and facilities in a short amount of time. This creates experience that others often lack. Thirdly, we stand for fair conditions – we've kept prices stable and support tariff standards in temporary nursing work. This attitude has secured us trust. For our employees, of course, money also plays a role. We pay on average 10 to 15% more than the average salary. But more importantly are reliable vacation planning and no last-minute call-ins. Our surveys show: These are the top reasons why healthcare professionals come to us and stay. Additionally, our corporate culture – we value personal exchange, regular celebrations, and genuine conversations. Our People Managers are there to keep an eye on the individuals, not just the assignments.
Wirtschaftsforum: And what do institutions appreciate about your work?
Alexander Gusev: Our clients experience reliability, quality, and continuity. Many of our caregivers have been with us since 2018. Moreover, as mentioned, they bring a lot of experience – some gather more in a year than others in an entire career. This ensures quality and reliability. And last but not least: We want to be partners, not a permanent solution. Temporary work is a transitional solution for us when there's a crisis – but we also support the development of long-term structures.
Wirtschaftsforum: What topics are currently and will be in focus in the coming years?
Alexander Gusev: We want to expand our services: In addition to classic temporary staffing, we are focusing on staffing services, care pools, and float pools. We can flexibly manage personnel and support facilities in complex structures. This will be a major topic in 2026 and beyond. In the long term, I have a goal: Pacura med should become the best employer in the care sector – and not just within national borders. As such, we have been active in Switzerland and Norway since 2023.
Wirtschaftsforum: Personally speaking: What drives you?
Alexander Gusev: I am inspired by seeing people's development. Many of our leaders started with us and have grown with us. Supporting this motivates me. And yes, I'm someone who likes to think against the current: When everyone goes left, I try going right. It doesn't always work – but when it does, it's a great feeling.