Healthcare in crisis: the outcry of nurses and midwives in Emilia Romagna An unprecedented survey, conducted by Nursing Up Emilia Romagna, has brought to light a disheartening reality: out of more than 3,000 professionals interviewed, an overwhelming majority report toxic working conditions, inadequate pay, and a growing desire to leave. The survey reveals numbers that are cause for reflection. 96.3% of participants – 79% of whom are nurses and 16 % midwives – say they are dissatisfied with their salary. And it’s not just about money: 62.4% work in environments considered toxic, while a further 29% consider their workplace “somewhat toxic.” This situation fuels a sense of frustration that translates into concrete actions: 31% have already found a new job offer, either in the private sector or abroad, while 13% are actively looking. The exodus of professionals is becoming a tragedy for the healthcare system, already in crisis due to staff shortages. The lack of nurses and midwives in Italy is a chronic problem. According to the latest data, the country needs over 100,000 more nurses and 8,400 more midwives to guarantee adequate healthcare services. However, the trend is not encouraging: the average number of young people choosing to become nurses is decreasing, with Italy trailing behind the rest of Europe. Economic conditions are embarrassing compared to European colleagues, where salaries range from 2,500 to 9,000 euros per month, with much lower taxes and inflation and benefits that in Italy are, for now, just a dream. Italian healthcare professionals have to cope with an ever-increasing cost of living, including prohibitive rents and rising bills. Many give up on life projects such as starting a family or buying a house, and too many have gone into debt just to make it to the end of the month. Politics, so far, has responded with ineffective solutions. While in other countries nurses receive competitive salaries, in Italy we talk about palliatives that do not solve the problem. Meanwhile, staff are being sought in India, despite concerns about training, professionals who would then be just passing through, heading for more attractive destinations such as Northern Europe. The professionals themselves are trying to make their voices heard: 90% of survey participants have reported the critical issues to unions and management, but with no results. Only meeting after meeting, without any concrete change. The "European Work-Life Balance 2023" report by Remote confirms the seriousness of the situation: Italy is the European country with the worst balance between private life and work. Exhausting working hours, low pay, and increasing psychological stress are putting workers’ mental health at risk. If the Italian healthcare system wants to survive, it must act urgently. Adequate investment, decent salaries, and acceptable working conditions are the only solutions to prevent collapse. Unfortunately, the latest RSU elections did not bring the hoped-for change: although the sector unions were rewarded, they did not gain the strength needed to really affect the system. Too many professionals preferred to believe in the promise of meal vouchers, giving up the fight for much deeper and more decisive reforms. Does the meal voucher have more value than dignity? For some colleagues, yes. Thus, the sector continues to lose pieces, while real solutions remain in the background. Nursing Up Emilia Romagna Executive Vincenzo Parisi - SIGN UP NOW FOR NURSING UP EMILIA ROMAGNA-CLICK HEREA profession increasingly in difficulty
A sector losing its pieces
A radical change is urgently needed
Italy ranks last in Europe for work-life balance
