by InTrieste
The regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia has approved a pilot program designed to address Italy’s persistent shortage of nurses by recruiting qualified graduates from abroad and supporting them through the completion of an Italian nursing degree.
The initiative, approved by the regional cabinet on the proposal of Health Councilor Riccardo Riccardi, establishes a partnership with the University of Udine to begin an experimental international exchange program in healthcare education starting with the 2026–2027 academic year.
The program will initially offer 15 positions for nursing graduates from Argentina and Ghana. Candidates who already hold nursing qualifications in their home countries will undergo Italy’s equivalency assessment before being admitted directly into the second or third year of the University of Udine’s nursing degree program.
Each participant will receive €15,000 per year throughout their studies. The funding is intended to cover travel, accommodation, tuition fees, health insurance, mobility grants and Italian language courses.
In return, students will be required to meet strict academic and professional obligations. They must attend courses continuously and earn at least 60 percent of the expected annual academic credits. After graduation, participants will be required to apply for positions within Friuli Venezia Giulia’s regional health service during the following three years. Those who are hired must remain employed within the regional system for a minimum of five years.
Failure to meet either the academic standards or the post-graduation employment commitments would result in the immediate loss of financial support.
The University of Udine’s Department of Medicine will oversee partnerships with foreign universities, manage admissions and academic administration, distribute scholarships and provide dedicated academic tutors. The regional government will finance the program through its 2026–2028 multi-year budget.
Regional officials said the agreement has been structured so that similar partnerships could later be extended to other universities across Friuli Venezia Giulia, potentially expanding the model beyond its initial pilot phase.
