by InTrieste
Interest in nursing degrees is rising again in Friuli Venezia Giulia, offering early signs of renewed demand for a profession that has struggled with staffing shortages since the pandemic.
Entrance examinations for the 2026–27 academic year begin on Sept. 16, when prospective students will sit admission tests at the universities of Trieste and Udine. Preliminary enrollment figures suggest a significant rebound, particularly in Udine.
The University of Udine received 292 applications for 204 available places, a 37.7 percent increase from the previous year, meaning nearly 90 qualified candidates are expected to be turned away. In Trieste, 134 students applied for 215 places, an increase of 13.6 percent over 2025, though still below capacity.
“This is a level of demand we had not seen since before Covid,” said Luciano Clarizia, president of the Regional Coordination of Nursing Orders in Friuli Venezia Giulia. He attributed the increase to a recruitment campaign carried out jointly by the regional government and local universities.
The rise comes as the region expands incentives aimed at attracting and retaining healthcare workers. Friuli Venezia Giulia has allocated €120 million through 2028 for personnel in its regional health service, including €3 million in annual scholarships worth €3,300 for nursing students who commit to working in the regional system after graduation. Additional pay supplements have also been introduced for demanding shifts and specialized clinical duties.
Regional officials are also looking beyond local recruitment. A new collaboration with nursing professional associations in Campania, Puglia and Sicily seeks to encourage qualified nurses from southern Italy to relocate through structured orientation programs and relocation support.
In a recent videoconference, regional health officials presented the initiative alongside representatives of the three southern regions. The plan includes funding for local health authorities to help incoming nurses secure housing, as well as €15 million earmarked for renovating residential properties to expand the supply of affordable accommodation.
Housing has become a key factor in recruitment, particularly for professionals moving long distances. Puglia, where about 19,000 candidates recently competed for fewer than 1,000 nursing positions, is viewed as a potential source of qualified workers. Campania has also expressed interest in directing eligible nursing students who miss admission there toward universities in Friuli Venezia Giulia, while Sicily has invited regional representatives to present career opportunities directly to new graduates.
How many nurses may ultimately relocate remains uncertain.
“It is difficult to estimate,” Mr. Clarizia said, adding that further discussions with regional health authorities and the professional orders will be needed before the program’s impact can be assessed.
Beyond financial incentives, he argued that improving the profession’s public image is equally important. Expanded clinical master’s degree programs, he said, now offer nurses broader opportunities for specialization and career advancement, making the field increasingly attractive to younger generations.
