Italian hospitals launch hiring initiatives to tackle nursing shortages

Two Dominican nurses quit the Loiano Hospital of the AUSL Bologna network after a few months, prompting the regional nurses' union FIALS to label the international recruitment project a failure. AUSL Bologna said the departures will not affect care continuity and announced it will hire two permanent nurses in September, while continuing to offer free housing for up to six months to staff working in the mountainous area.

In Naples, the Santobono Pausilipon Hospital has opened a public competition for 20 pediatric nurses on temporary contracts, with a stated annual salary of €24,918 plus allowances. Applications must be submitted by 12 August 2026, and the selection will involve evaluation of credentials and an interview.

Both actions reflect a broader effort by Italian health authorities to address persistent staffing gaps in the national health service.