The Evolution of Professional Nursing Culture in Italy

Abstract

We explored the perceptions of Italian nurses regarding their developing culture as a health profession. We sought to understand the ongoing evolution of the nursing profession and the changes that were central to it becoming an intellectual discipline on par with the other health professions in Italy. In 2010, the Regulatory Board of Nursing established a center of excellence to build evidence-based practice, advocate for interdisciplinary health care, and champion health profession reforms for nursing. In this study, focus groups—involving 66 nurse participants from various educational, clinical, and administrative backgrounds—were utilized to better ascertain how the profession has changed. Six themes, three of them metaphors—“vortex,” “leopard spots,” and “deductive jungle”—explain nurses’ experiences of professional change in Italy between 2001 and 2011 and the multiple dimensions that characterize their professional identity and autonomy.

Indian nurses in Italy: a qualitative study of their professional and social integration

“…Attitudes of indifference and aversion were sometimes shown by older nurses because of the changes that younger colleagues brought with them by maintaining evidencebased practice in everyday work. This is in line with other studies that highlight that this attitude of lack of respect is not due to racism by peers and employers, but is more connected to cultural mindsets and to the evolution of the nursing profession (Rocco et al 2014).…”

“…This is in line with other studies that highlight that this attitude of lack of respect is not due to racism by peers and employers, but is more connected to cultural mindsets and to the evolution of the nursing profession (Rocco et al . ).…”

Vol 7, No 3 (2017)

“…By the same decree, the first advanced degrees and masters in health professions with different specializations were established in 2004. Since 2006, the first Ph.D. in nursing research has been implemented, which for the first time provides nurses the opportunity to have an academic career and conduct research (Rocco et al, 2014).…”

Center of Excellence to Build Nursing Scholarship and Improve Health Care in Italy

“…Innovations that were introduced early on in the CoE, such as the digital library system, coupled with multiple research training opportunities, were viewed as well worth the financial investment toward achieving the secondary gains of strengthening communication and collaborations among nurse researchers, practitioners, and educators. Initially, the concept of a CoE and projected benefits were questioned by nurses (Rocco et al., ), but positive responses to these nurse‐focused strategies demonstrated the significance of timeliness and strong recognition of the social context in determining which activities should be brought to fruition early on in response to specific issues or problems.…”