According to estimates by Italy’s Court of Auditors, cited by the National Federation of the Italian Nursing Medical Boards (FNOPI), there is a shortage of at least 65,000 nurses in Italy, whilst the NHS must respond to increasingly complex care needs. How can the profession become more attractive? What skills will be required? And what role can specialist training play?
These are the questions at the heart of the webinar ‘Nurses of the Future. Training programmes and career prospects to guide your career’, organised on 28th September 2026 by UniCamillus in collaboration with Randstad Italia, UIL FP Nazionale and Clinica Madonna della Fiducia. A dialogue between universities, the business world, trade unions and healthcare organisations, designed to provide students and professionals with useful tools to guide their choices.
Gianni Profita: “The university will do everything possible to support the nursing profession”
The Rector of UniCamillus, Gianni Profita, reiterated the University’s commitment to supporting nurses: “Our University places the utmost importance on the nursing profession. We will do everything possible to support its role, and we will do so without delay”.
Profita emphasised the importance of effective collaboration between the various healthcare professionals, whilst respecting each other’s areas of expertise, and the central role of nurses in the development of community care and community care centres. This evolution also requires adequate opportunities for professional growth and recognition.
Finally, the Rector highlighted the value of dialogue between universities and trade unions right from the training stage, so that nurses can be supported through their transition into the workplace: “Nurses must feel supported not only during their studies, but also when they enter the world of work”.
Laura Schieroni (Randstad): “A CPD course is an opportunity to take a step forward in your career”
For Laura Schieroni, Head of Healthcare at Randstad Italia, the link between training and employment is crucial: “Today we are not just looking for well-trained professionals, but for people capable of managing and leading in complex situations”.
In this context, specialist training “is not simply another qualification to add to your CV” but enables you to acquire specific skills. Randstad’s role is to support professionals from training through to employment, facilitating the match between skills and opportunities. “Investing in specialist training means investing in the future of healthcare.”
Andrea Migliorati (Randstad): “It’s not enough just to offer a job”
Recruitment is a priority, but it is not enough: organisations must also be able to retain professionals. Andrea Migliorati, Healthcare Specialty Manager at Randstad, pointed out that the value of nurses lies in the combination of sound scientific training and interpersonal skills in their interactions with patients, complemented by flexibility and the ability to work as part of a team.
In financial terms, according to Randstad, gross annual salaries at the start of a career are typically between 24,000 and 26,000 euros, and can rise to 28,000–32,000 euros with experience, depending on the contract, organisation and role.
For this reason, he concluded, employers need to offer ‘a worthwhile career path, based on adequate conditions, flexibility and opportunities for growth’.
Simone Selvaggio (UIL FP): “Professional recognition starts with recognising skills”
Simone Selvaggio, Head of Training at UIL FP Nazionale, described the profession’s lack of appeal as a real problem: ‘In Italy, salaries are relatively low compared with those in many other OECD countries, and there remains a significant staff shortage.’
He then highlighted the importance of recognising skills, including through adequate pay and opportunities for growth, focusing on the challenges that UIL FP identifies in the introduction of the role of the nursing assistant.
Among the prospects for development, he highlighted advanced nursing practice, which emphasises specialist clinical skills in patient management, particularly for patients with chronic conditions. This model can strengthen continuity of care and integration between hospitals and community-based services, through specific training programmes and clearly defined professional responsibilities.
To effectively develop this approach, it is necessary to establish recognised training programmes, distinctive competencies, areas of autonomy and professional responsibility, as well as appropriate contractual and financial recognition. Selvaggio’s advice to future professionals was simple: ‘Know your contract, your rights and your duties’.
Silvia Falbo (Clinica Madonna della Fiducia): “Training should not stop at a BSc programme”
From a care perspective, Silvia Falbo, Nursing Coordinator at the Clinica Madonna della Fiducia, emphasised the quality of care: “The guiding principle for professionals remains the same: to provide the best possible care for every patient, regardless of whether they receive treatment in the public or private sector”.
This is why continuing professional development is essential: “Continuing to study and undertake CPD courses enables you to develop new skills, grow professionally and aspire to greater opportunities, including financially”.
Navigating your professional future
The webinar was moderated by Fabio D’Agostino, Associate Professor at UniCamillus, Chair of the BSc in Nursing and Director of the CPD courses in Critical Care Nursing and in Management for Coordination Roles within the Healthcare Professions. The closing remarks were delivered by Giuseppe Bruno, Head of Master’s Programme Development at UniCamillus: “Students need concrete answers and useful guidance to build their professional future”.
The message that emerged was clear: to address the nursing shortage, it is not enough simply to train new professionals. It is also necessary to enhance the role of nurses, recognise their skills and responsibilities, and create meaningful career prospects, through collaboration between universities, employers, trade unions and healthcare organisations.
Would you like to take the next step in your specialist career? Discover UniCamillus’s CPD courses: https://unicamillus.org/en/short-courses-and-cpd/