The Italian economic crisis and its impact on nursing services and education: hard and challenging times

AIMS: Three levels of impact are reported and discussed in this commentary: the 'macro' level, which corresponds to policy(ies); the 'meso' level, which corresponds to nursing services and nursing education; and the 'micro' level, which deals with clinical practice and education, where interactions between patients and nurses and/or students take place. BACKGROUND: The Italian economy is showing some signs of recovery after the worst economic crisis of past decades. However, these signs are still quite weak and insufficient to declare that the country is finally coming out of it. KEY ISSUES: Several negative impacts of the economic crisis on nursing services and nursing education are documented. Reports have started to document initial signs of the economical crisis impact on patients too. Present and future issues related to nursing services, education and clinical practice are commented both from national data and from nurses' daily perceptions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The Italian economic crisis will leave a heavy burden on the shoulders of future generations. Nurses' leaders are coping with these challenges, innovating the nursing system and preparing a sustainable future for generations of patients and nurses.