Italian Nurses Move to Switzerland for Better Work Conditions

A growing number of Italian nurses are reportedly relocating to Switzerland, citing unsustainable working conditions at home. Several have described feeling completely exhausted after years of demanding shifts in Italian hospitals.

According to accounts shared with colleagues who have already emigrated, nurses in Italy say they "can't take it anymore," pointing to heavy workloads and insufficient support within the national health service.

Switzerland has become an attractive destination for many, offering higher salaries and, according to those who have made the move, more manageable working conditions. This has fuelled a steady stream of professionals seeking employment abroad.

The trend adds to ongoing concerns about staff shortages and retention within Italy's healthcare system, as experienced workers increasingly look for opportunities elsewhere in Europe.

Separately, attention has turned to a nurse of Swiss origin who has been recognised among the world's leading scientists. While welcomed by many, the recognition has also prompted questions about why such achievements by nurses are still treated as unusual or newsworthy.

Commentators have suggested that the surprise surrounding the story reflects a broader tendency to underestimate the scientific and professional contributions made by nursing staff, despite their central role in medical research and patient care.

The original report does not provide specific figures on how many nurses have left Italy for Switzerland, nor official statements from health authorities in either country. It instead centres on personal testimonies and the wider debate about how nursing work is valued.

Together, the two threads of the story point to a common theme: dissatisfaction with working conditions for nurses in Italy, and a public conversation about the recognition — or lack of it — given to the profession internationally.