[REVISION HISTORY]

Italy sees surge in nursing and medical training interest

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2026-09-25 16:11 UTC → 2026-10-05 15:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By ~~late September~~ early October 2026, Italy’s healthcare education sector ~~showed~~ continued to show significant engagement following academic reforms. While September saw a ~~marked increase in engagement. Following the~~ surge in ~~nursing applications reported in mid-September, new data regarding the 2026~~ general healthcare ~~professions~~ entrance ~~exams revealed that~~ exams—with approximately 75,500 candidates participated—an increase of over 11,000 compared to the previous year. The exams, held on September 16, covered biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, logic, and reading comprehension. Because the management of these exam results is delegated to individual universities rather than the Ministry of University and Research, admission thresholds and ranking lists vary by institution. At the University of Padua, initial minimum scores for the first round of admissions included 66.1 for Physiotherapy, 53.0 for Osteopathy in Venice, and 50.7 for Dietetics. Other reported scores for the first ranking included 48.3 for Neuro and Psychomotricity, 47.7 for Medical Radiology Techniques, and 46.7 for Speech Therapy. This increased participation follows a period of significant growth in nursing interest, where approximately 22,000 candidates applied for 20,672 available positions, a 16.3% increase over the prior year. Regional growth has been notable, particularly in Piedmont, where participating—recent data highlights the ~~University~~ specific success of ~~Turin saw a 30% increase in nursing applicants. Furthermore, enrollment for entrance exams for three~~ new clinical specialization paths in Master's degrees in Nursing Sciences ~~has surged~~ across 13 universities. ~~Following academic reforms promoted~~ For the 759 available positions in these specialized tracks, a total of 3,742 applications were received, resulting in a national average of 5.4 candidates per spot. Interest remains concentrated in critical care and emergency medicine (61.1%), followed by primary and community care (32%) and pediatric and neonatal care (6.9%). Barbara Mangiacavalli, president of the ~~FNOPI~~ National Federation of Nursing Professions (Fnopi), stated that these figures “confirm the professional maturity of the category and represent a new chapter for Italian healthcare.” The reform, developed by Fnopi in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of University and Research, ~~at least 3,300 nurses are competing for 759 available positions. Interest is highest in Intensive Care and Emergency (60%), followed by Primary Care, Family, and Community Nursing (30%), and Neonatal~~ aims to address complex healthcare needs through care pathway management, prevention, and ~~Pediatric Care. Sapienza University of Rome recorded the highest peak in applications. On September 25, Barbara Mangiacavalli, president of Fnopi,~~ health education. Mangiacavalli previously expressed satisfaction with the ~~success~~ reform following the publication of ~~these~~ the new degrees in the Official Gazette and an acknowledgment of the profession’s value by President Sergio Mattarella. Concurrently, university admission processes for the 2026-2027 academic ~~reforms.~~ year are progressing. At the University of Insubria, the nursing course in Como reported a closed ranking despite having vacant spots, which are slated for reallocation according to ministerial decrees. Admissions for other health professions, including midwifery and medical radiology, are also underway.

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