Italy is facing a multifaceted crisis that is hitting families, the healthcare system, and healthcare workers hard, especially nurses. Almost 10% of the Italian population lives in absolute poverty, at risk of social exclusion, minors among the most affected. The highest percentage recorded in the last 10 years. Stagnant wages and rising prices worsen the situation, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and insecurity for millions of families. As the population ages, fewer and fewer young people want to become nurses, less than 1%, the lowest figure in Europe. In 2023, reports of medical malpractice increased, about 300,000 of which 35,000 are requests for compensation for damages, compared to a salary well below the OECD average. Nurses not only have a lower salary than their European colleagues, but also have to endure enormous risks and responsibilities: lawsuits, compensation for damages, risk of contracting a disease or bringing it home, emotional stress due to patients' pain and death, skipped holidays, rest, burnout always around the corner. Conditions that push nurses to leave and explain why there is a shortage of 8,300 midwives and thousands of healthcare assistants, in addition to the 100,000 nurses. Politics, instead of seriously addressing the problems, limits itself to promises and palliatives. The PNRR risks being a missed opportunity, while responsibilities are shifted between government and opposition. A strong and united union is needed. The only hope for Italian families and for the healthcare system is a strong and united category union that knows how to defend the rights of nurses and fight to improve their working and living conditions. Only with an effective and determined union will it be possible to break down the stagnant and desolate system that has brought us to this point. It is clear, for too many decades, that the old unions are obsolete and ineffective. The only union that protects free of charge with total legal and professional assistance. The only one that is trying to obtain an OECD average salary, to obtain the revision of all allowances, recognition of strenuous work, early retirement, exclusivity allowance, free mobility, a single national contract, fight against deskilling. We invite all nurses and healthcare professionals to join Nursing Up, the only union that is truly fighting for their rights. Unfortunately, we need the numbers, only united, together we can change things and build a better future for ourselves, for our families, and for the whole country. Together we can bring our NHS back to first in the world. Vincenzo Parisi - Union Leader Contacts: lapaginadinursingup@yahoo.com WhatsApp/Telegram 3401210916 Facebook: Nurses outside the sector
