Authors
- Kristian Civka – University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Applied Health Sciences Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Alessandro Stievano – Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- Patrizia Burga – University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Ber Oomen – European Specialist Nurses Organization
- Jose Luis Gomez – Becton Dickinson
- Adriano Friganović – University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Applied Health Sciences Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
DOI
https://doi.org/10.65241/wh.9.1.2
Article type:
Conference report
Abstract:
Across Europe, healthcare systems are under mounting pressure as nursing shortages continue to intensify. With an aging workforce and rising patient needs, hospitals are struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels. The strain became even more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed significant vulnerabilities within healthcare systems. As nurses face increasing workloads and emotional exhaustion, resilience has emerged as a critical professional competency.
This article reports on the two-day meeting held in Brussels on November 3–4, 2025, which brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, and Members of the European Parliament to discuss the “Health Workforce and Care Strategy for the Future of Europe.” The event included the European Specialist Nurses Organization General Assembly and high-level discussions in the European Parliament focused on strengthening Europe’s health workforce. These discussions emphasized the importance of improving working conditions and developing long-term strategies for sustainable healthcare delivery across Europe.
The article highlights the key themes, policy recommendations, and collaborative actions identified to address the evolving challenges of healthcare workforce planning and patient care across the European Union. Building resilience among healthcare professionals is essential for managing stress, adapting to unpredictable conditions, and continuing to deliver safe, compassionate, and high-quality care. Healthcare institutions also play a central role by fostering supportive work environments, providing mental health resources, and promoting work–life balance. Strengthening resilience in healthcare systems is therefore not only an individual necessity but also a strategic priority for the future sustainability of European healthcare.
Keywords:
Specialist nurses, policy, advocacy, stakeholders, collaboration, resilience.