As part of its Healthcare Master’s programs, the University of Parma is launching the first Advanced Training and Specialization Course in Infection Control Link Nurse (ICLN) in Italy—a unique program designed to provide advanced training for healthcare professionals in the prevention and management of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The ICLN plays a key role in the modern healthcare system, acting as a vital link between infection control teams and frontline clinical staff, significantly contributing to reducing infection risks and improving patient outcomes.
Equipped with technical expertise, clinical skills, organizational abilities, and leadership qualities, the ICLN is a reference figure in promoting patient safety and excellence in care.
The aim of the course is to train professionals capable of promoting the adoption and ongoing update of best practices through a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach.
The call for applications will be published in June 2025, with the application deadline set for the end of July 2025.
Enrollment is scheduled for September 2025, and the course will run from October 2025 to February 2026.
The program lasts four months and will be delivered online in synchronous mode on Thursdays and Fridays, on alternating weeks, to accommodate working students.
The total cost is €900, payable in two installments (€500 + €400). Five auditor slots are available at a reduced cost of €600.
Upon completion of the course, participants will earn 30 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).
Admission is granted without a selection exam, subject to availability, to candidates holding one of the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Midwifery, or equivalent qualifications
- Health Assistant qualification obtained under the old academic system
- Degree in Environmental and Workplace Prevention Techniques
- Diplomas and equivalent qualifications in accordance with current legislation
The curriculum includes 100 hours of lectures and 125 hours dedicated to either an optional internship or the development of a project work, which can be carried out within the participant’s own healthcare organization or another selected institution.
At the end of the course, students will be required to submit a final paper focusing on a topic of particular relevance to their professional interests.
Key modules include:
- Healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance
- Evidence-based prevention strategies and dissemination methods
- Clinical governance and quality of care
- Team leadership and professional networking
Special emphasis is placed on developing skills for managing organizational change and building collaborative professional networks.
“The launch of this course is a concrete and strategic response to the growing need for integrating clinical, organizational, and communication skills in infection risk management. The Infection Control Link Nurse acts as a bridge—translating scientific evidence into daily good practices while engaging sensitively and authoritatively with multidisciplinary care teams. Training these professionals means investing in quality and safety in healthcare, enhancing the proactive role of every healthcare worker in infection prevention and in fostering a culture of continuous improvement,” said Professor Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Sciences at the University of Parma and Course Director.