Nursing Schools and Programs in Italy

Nursing Studies in Italy

Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome

Study Nursing in Italy:  Overview

Have you always dreamed of studying abroad in beautiful Italy, a modern and cosmopolitan country on the one hand, but also a land in which the customs, traditions and values of the old country are deeply rooted in its very fabric and cherished by all?  Are you interested in focusing your studies in a field that, upon graduation, will allow you to help, care for and improve the lives of others—an in-demand field in which successful completion of your chosen academic program will almost guarantee you a well-paid position in today’s workforce?  If so, you should seriously consider concentrating your studies in the nursing discipline, a field of study offered at most major Italian universities.  To help you get started on what guarantees to be a fun and adventurous educational experience, below we have provided a few details regarding nursing education in Italy, including some quick and useful facts about the country, some information pertaining to its nursing programs and degrees, and a short sales pitch as to why studying in Italy can be so very advantageous.

Quick Facts about Italy

The country of Italy, known officially as the Italian Republic, is a unitary parliamentary republic in the Southern part of the European continent. Its neighboring countries include France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia to the north. To the south, it consists of the entirety of the Italian Peninsula, which includes Sicily and Sardinia—the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea—as well as a number of smaller islands. The independent states of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within Italy, while Campione d'Italia, an Italian exclave, is within the borders of Switzerland. The total area of Italy is a just shade over 116,000 square miles (300,000 square kilometers), land that is shared by a population of 60.8 million residents, making it the fifth most populous country in Europe and the 23rd most populous country in the world. The country has a temperate seasonal climate, characterized by warm summers and cold winters, particularly in the northern part of the country.

Nursing Education in Italy

Not too long ago, in the late 1990s, the degree and credit systems at colleges and universities throughout the European Union, including Italy, was standardized to meet the needs of students who might want to transfer between schools throughout Europe.  The new system, which also applies to the field of nursing, includes three years of undergraduate study, leading to a Bachelor’s Degree; and an additional two years towards a Master’s degree.  PhD programs, depending on the subject area, can range from 3-5 additional years following successful completion of an accredited Master’s Degree program.
 
The universities in Italy which offer nursing as a major course of study, such as the prestigious University of Milan (located, of course, in the city of Milan), typically offer two educational tracks at the undergraduate level, both of which span three years in duration.  The first of these tracks is for students who wish to pursue a general nursing degree, the most popular track, leading to a career (as it is known in Italy) as a “Basic Care Nurse.”  The second is for those students who want to concentrate their studies in pediatric nursing, with a goal of working with children in a variety of medical settings, including children’s hospitals.  Successful completion of either these programs leads to a diploma, at which time graduates become eligible to sit for the Italian national nursing examination, a requirement before ultimately seeking employment.
 
Students who successfully complete one of the undergraduate nursing tracks are eligible to pursue a Master’s Degree in their chosen field, the attainment of which almost always lead to greater compensation in their place of employment.  There are additionally a number of post-diploma specialty options available in Italy, through which nurses can gain certification in a particular niche of the nursing industry.  These specialties include, but are not limited to, intensive care nursing, elderly care nursing, psychiatric nursing, public health and home or hospice care nursing.

Reasons to Study Nursing in Italy

Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe (and the world), attracting millions of people each year from around the globe.  As a student studying in this beautiful country, not only will you be privy to some of the best academic institutions and nursing training in Europe, you will have ample time to explore the country at your leisure and bask in the history and culture that millions of annual tourists pay top dollar to experience.
 
Regardless of where you decide to study during your stay—Rome, Milan, Venice, etc.—you will never be far from the country’s renowned historical landmarks and scenic landscapes.  You’ll be immersed in a proud and diverse culture and have countless opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons, learn or even master a new language, sample some of the best cuisine in the world and meet countless new friends you will cherish for a lifetime.
 
Although the country of Italy may span a small geographic area, the landscape is widely varied.  From its modern, cosmopolitan cities to small medieval villages, and from pristine beaches along the endless coastline to the majestic mountaintop villages in the north, the country of Italy has something for everyone’s tastes.
 
Finally, there is the added benefit of Italy’s proximity to a number of other countries you’ll want to explore.  Time away from your studies can afford you endless opportunities for exciting travel:  spend your summers strolling through the streets of Paris or dancing the night away in Madrid, and come winter break you can tackle the majestic slopes of Switzerland and Austria.  The sky is truly the limit when studying in the captivating country of Italy, providing you with not only a top-notch educational journey, but a thrilling adventure unlike any you’ll soon experience.