Within contemporary health and social care systems, characterised by increasing organisational complexity, technological innovation, and increasingly complex health needs, transversal skills represent a fundamental element for healthcare professionals. Alongside technical and scientific knowledge, competencies such as leadership, effective communication, interprofessional collaboration, and teamwork are becoming increasingly central.
Within the Master’s Programmes in Healthcare at the University of Parma, the development of transversal skills constitutes an essential component of advanced education. The aim is to train professionals who are not only able to operate competently within different clinical, healthcare, and organisational settings, but also capable of managing relationships, coordinating complex processes, and actively contributing to service improvement.
Among the most valued aspects is leadership, understood not merely as an organisational role, but as the ability to guide change, promote innovation, and foster collaborative working environments focused on quality of care. Leadership in health and social care professions is expressed through responsibility, decision-making abilities, support for colleagues, and the promotion of person-centred care models.
An equally important role is played by communication, a fundamental element in relationships with patients, caregivers, and professionals. Communicating effectively means being able to listen, share information clearly, manage complex situations, and encourage the active involvement of individuals in care pathways.
Alongside leadership and communication, teamwork represents one of the pillars of contemporary professional practice. Healthcare professions increasingly operate within multidisciplinary teams, where collaboration among different competencies allows professionals to address the complexity of health needs in an integrated and effective way. Developing teamwork skills means valuing dialogue, mutual respect, and the construction of shared goals, contributing to safer, more efficient organisational contexts focused on quality of care.
Through educational activities, group work, moments of discussion, and experiential learning pathways, the Master’s Programmes in Healthcare promote an educational approach that integrates technical and relational competencies, preparing professionals capable of addressing the challenges of contemporary healthcare systems with awareness and responsibility.
“On this special day for the nursing profession, it is both an honour and a pleasure to be awarded the title of Fellow of the Florence Nightingale Foundation, which I accept with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. I dedicate it to my colleagues, to the students present here, and to those students who are virtually participating in these celebrations through us. May it serve as a source of inspiration and renewed spirit of service for our communities, wherever they may be” With these words, Prof. Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Science and President of the Master’s Programmes in Healthcare at the University of Parma, accompanied the participation of the University delegation in the Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service 2026, held on 12 May at Westminster Abbey in London on the occasion of International Nurses Day.
Alongside the awarding of the Florence Nightingale Foundation Fellowship to Prof. Bonacaro, the experience also represented an important educational and personal opportunity for Educational Tutor Dr. Massimo Guasconi, Nursing students Nicole Tirotta, Maria Scattaglia, Elisa Murtas, Mariagrazia Mancini, Vera Araya Abrha, Zaida Zanetti, and newly qualified nurses Paolo Lopena and Alessia Currò, who took part in the study day and the international commemorative ceremony. The testimonies and quotations included in this article are drawn from their reflections and experiences during the event, highlighting the human, professional, and symbolic value of an experience perceived as a profound moment of belonging to the nursing profession and to the international community of care.
“Entering Westminster Abbey on such a meaningful occasion for nurses was deeply emotional. Walking through a place where history merges with the very roots of our profession, thinking about Florence Nightingale’s legacy, gave me a profound sense of belonging. It made me realise that our daily work in wards or community settings is not an isolated act, but part of a historical and global thread connecting millions of professionals. It was pride, responsibility, and emotion”. Another student described her entrance into the Abbey in these words: “Crossing the threshold of Westminster Abbey was breathtaking. I could feel the weight of history and, at the same time, immense pride. Walking through those aisles, knowing I was there to celebrate Florence Nightingale alongside colleagues from all over the world, made me feel part of something monumental. It was not only the celebration of a historical figure, but a solemn recognition of the value nurses bring to society every single day”.
Among the most significant moments of the day was the Lamp Procession, the historic symbol of the nursing profession. “Without a doubt, the Procession of the Lamp. Seeing the lamp — symbol of light, hope, and nursing knowledge — passed from hand to hand among professionals until it was placed on the altar was an incredibly emotional moment. In that almost sacred silence, I clearly felt the passing of the torch within our profession: a commitment to care handed down from generation to generation”.
Other students highlighted the value of the international exchange experienced during the study day: “The interaction with students and professionals from other countries gave me a great sense of openness. It was interesting to discover the differences in healthcare systems, educational pathways, and work organisation, while at the same time realising that empathy, responsibility, and attention to the person remain universal values everywhere in the world”. The experience also strengthened awareness of the importance of the international dimension in nursing education. “University education gives you scientific and methodological foundations, but an international experience gives you the bigger picture. It teaches adaptability and the importance of intercultural communication — a crucial skill today with patients coming from many different countries”.
Among the values most frequently mentioned by the students was humanity in care. “Being a nurse means coming into contact with people’s vulnerability and being able to offer not only care, but also listening, presence, and support during the most delicate moments”. Another testimony emphasised the connection between empathy and professional competence: “Florence Nightingale showed that compassion, combined with scientific rigour, can change the destiny of patients and institutions”. The London experience also offered an important reflection on the meaning of contemporary nursing leadership. “For me, nursing leadership means the ability to guide change based on scientific evidence and by setting an example. It means being able to make complex clinical decisions autonomously, promote team wellbeing, and enhance the specific competencies of our professional profile”.
Particularly significant was also the value attributed to representing the University of Parma internationally. “Bringing the name of the University into such a prestigious context was the best way to celebrate the value of our studies and the professors and tutors who guided us throughout our journey. It demonstrated that the quality of Italian nursing education has nothing to envy compared to international standards”.
Participation in the Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service thus confirmed itself as an experience of great educational, human, and professional value, capable of strengthening the sense of belonging to the nursing profession and promoting an increasingly international, collaborative, and person-centred vision of care.
Concluding the delegation’s reflections, Prof. Antonio Bonacaro stated: “The study day, the Fellowship, the commemorative service, and the broader cultural experience all reflect the multiplier effect that the University of Parma has in offering unique opportunities for growth and reflection to faculty members and Nursing students. Nursing, as a modern profession, is an expression of the competence and humanity reflected in the stories shared by students and professionals, as well as in the teachings of Florence Nightingale, pioneer of modern nursing. These values and experiences constitute a shared heritage that deserves to be recognised and promoted through initiatives such as this. With renewed spirit of service, we continue to build pathways of education, growth, and international exchange that will enable today’s students and tomorrow’s professionals to become increasingly active protagonists of competent, compassionate care capable of responding to global health challenges, in line with the values and legacy of Florence Nightingale”.
Eight Nursing students from Rwanda – five female students and three male students – have arrived in Parma to undertake a three-month educational placement in the field of Nursing Sciences.
The initiative, promoted by the University Centre for International Cooperation of the University of Parma, is carried out with the support of the Parma University Hospital and the Local Health Authority of Piacenza, representing an important opportunity for international education, intercultural exchange, and professional development.
During their stay in Italy, the students will take part in clinical placement and training activities, with the opportunity to engage with different organisational and healthcare models while further developing professional competencies within local health and social care settings.
The group was also welcomed at the Municipality of Parma by Councillor for Social and Housing Policies Ettore Brianti, highlighting the institutional and social value of the initiative, which promotes dialogue, international cooperation, and the development of competencies within healthcare professions.
The scholarship awarded to the students has also covered accommodation and living expenses, thanks in part to the collaboration with ASP Parma, which supported the identification of suitable housing solutions for the entire duration of their stay.
This experience is part of the internationalisation and cooperation activities promoted by the University of Parma, confirming the importance of dialogue between different healthcare systems and educational pathways as an opportunity for mutual enrichment for students, professionals, and academic communities.
“Welcoming students from international contexts represents an important opportunity for mutual growth, not only from a professional perspective, but also on a human and cultural level. The exchange of experiences, care models, and perspectives on healthcare contributes to strengthening an educational approach that is increasingly open, inclusive, and oriented toward international collaboration” – Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Science and President of the Master’s Programmes in Healthcare.
Within the Master’s Programmes in Healthcare at the University of Parma, clinical placements represent a central component of the educational pathway, playing a fundamental role in integrating theoretical knowledge, professional competencies, and decision-making skills within real healthcare settings.
Field experience allows students to engage directly with the complexity of health and social care services, applying what they have learned during academic activities while developing a greater awareness of their professional role. Clinical placements are not merely moments of observation, but active opportunities for learning, exchange, and professional growth, where participants can experience tools, organisational models, and care approaches within highly qualified clinical, community, and managerial contexts.
Through the support of experienced tutors and continuous dialogue with healthcare professionals, students are able to deepen competencies related to the different areas of the Master’s Programmes, ranging from clinical practice and organisational management to prevention, education, and the promotion of quality and patient safety.
Clinical placements also provide an important opportunity to develop transversal skills such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and the ability to manage complex situations—competencies that are increasingly essential in contemporary health and social care systems.
Within the Master’s Programmes in Healthcare, the connection between theory and practice is one of the core principles of advanced education: an approach aimed not only at acquiring knowledge, but also at transforming it into concrete competencies capable of responding to people’s health needs and contributing to innovation in healthcare services.
On the occasion of the International Nurses Day, celebrated on 12 May, a delegation from the Master’s Programmes in Healthcare and the Nursing Degree Programme of the University of Parma will take part in the prestigious Florence Nightingale Commemoration Service, which will be held at the historic Westminster Abbey in London.
The event, promoted by the Florence Nightingale Foundation, represents one of the most significant international occasions dedicated to the nursing profession and will be attended by important institutional figures, including Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Alexandra, highlighting the value and recognition attributed to the role of nursing professions within contemporary healthcare systems.
Representing the University of Parma will be Prof. Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Science and President of the Master’s Programmes in Healthcare, the educational tutor Massimo Guasconi, and six students from the Nursing Degree Programme, who will participate in the study day organised by the Florence Nightingale Foundation and subsequently attend the commemorative service at Westminster Abbey.
Historically dedicated to the nursing profession in memory of Florence Nightingale’s birth, 12 May also traditionally marks the conclusion of the educational pathway for the new Fellows of the Florence Nightingale Foundation. During the day, the Fellowship Award Ceremony will also take place, an important international recognition that this year will be conferred upon Prof. Antonio Bonacaro.
The Florence Nightingale Foundation Fellowship is one of the most prestigious international programmes dedicated to the development of nursing leadership and recognises commitment to promoting innovative clinical and educational practices focused on quality, patient safety, and the advancement of nursing education.
The participation of students in this international experience represents an important opportunity for educational and professional growth, encouraging dialogue with international academic and healthcare realities and reinforcing the global dimension of the nursing profession.
“On this special day for the nursing profession, it is both an honour and a pleasure to be awarded the title of Fellow of the Florence Nightingale Foundation, which I accept with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. I dedicate it to my colleagues, to the students present here, and to those students who are virtually participating in these celebrations through us. May it serve as a source of inspiration and renewed spirit of service for our communities, wherever they may be” – Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Science and President of the Master’s Programmes in Healthcare.
The Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma are promoting two international seminar series dedicated to the development of competencies in healthcare professions, involving scholars and professionals from international academic contexts. These initiatives represent an important opportunity for discussion and in-depth exploration of topics related to nursing education, leadership, qualitative research, and the evolution of healthcare systems.
The first series of seminars will be delivered by Professor Stelios Parissopoulos from the University of West Attica in Athens and will take place from 11 to 14 May 2026 at the Biotechnological Campus of the University of Parma. The workshops will address topics related to Erasmus opportunities and international nursing education, the sociology of health and illness, transcultural challenges in caring for migrants and refugees, as well as anthropological and ethnographic approaches in nursing research and critical care. One session will also focus on qualitative research methodologies, including phenomenology, ethnography, interviews, and participant observation.
From 18 to 22 May 2026, Dr Vanessa Vianna Cruz, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), will lead a second workshop series at the Medicina-Gramsci Campus. The seminars will focus on educational pathways and clinical integration in nursing education within the Brazilian context, as well as on the development of nursing leadership in managing clinical and organizational complexity and in rapid and safe decision-making processes.
The seminars are part of the international and interdisciplinary development activities promoted by the Master’s Programs in Healthcare, with the aim of encouraging dialogue between experiences, educational models, and different healthcare systems. These initiatives also represent an important growth opportunity for students, professionals, and faculty members, further strengthening the international dimension of advanced healthcare education.
An important international recognition for Prof. Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Science and President of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma, who has been awarded the certification as a Fellow of the Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF).
The FNF Fellows Programme is one of the most prestigious leadership development pathways internationally in the field of healthcare professions, aimed at supporting professionals committed to promoting innovation, quality, and change within healthcare systems.
This recognition highlights Prof. Bonacaro’s commitment to advanced education, research, and the development of nursing leadership, in line with the contemporary challenges of healthcare. Participation in the programme provided a valuable opportunity to engage with professionals from clinical, managerial, and academic backgrounds, strengthening key strategic competencies needed to lead transformation processes in healthcare services.
This achievement is fully aligned with the vision of the Master’s Programs in Healthcare, which aim to promote educational pathways that integrate technical expertise, personal development, and leadership skills, contributing to the growth of professionals capable of working effectively in complex and evolving contexts.
“I am pleased to share that I have been awarded the certification as a Fellow of the Florence Nightingale Foundation. It has been a truly meaningful journey, rich in learning, exchange, and growth, shared with outstanding facilitators and colleagues from clinical, managerial, and academic settings. This experience has strengthened my leadership, self-awareness, and my ability to contribute to change in complex healthcare environments. It has also highlighted the importance of compassionate care and of creative and diverse approaches to the evolution of nursing education. I am grateful for this opportunity and ready to put into practice what I have learned”.
On the occasion of the FINE Europe Conference 2026, hosted by the University of Parma on March 5–6, the FINE Parma Commitment 2026 was adopted—a strategic document that translates the principles of the FINE Luxembourg Declaration into concrete actions, with the aim of strengthening nursing education at the European level.
The Conference, dedicated to the theme “Strengthening Nursing Education for a Safer Tomorrow”, brought together academics, researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and students from various countries, providing an important platform for dialogue on the challenges and opportunities in healthcare education.
The FINE Parma Commitment represents a significant step toward a shared evolution of educational systems, identifying key priorities for the future of the nursing profession and, more broadly, healthcare systems.
Among its main areas of action, the document highlights the need to:
promote the revision of educational policies at national and European levels, enhancing nursing education through high-quality and innovative standards;
strengthen the continuity of educational pathways, recognizing the value of interprofessional collaboration and the integration of different healthcare professions;
support the development of research and faculty training as key elements to ensure quality and innovation in education systems;
promote collaborative education models based on ethical principles such as equity, inclusion, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity.
The Commitment also emphasizes the importance of integrating contemporary teaching approaches, including simulation and digital technologies, as essential tools to address the increasing complexity of healthcare contexts.
Within this framework, the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma are fully aligned with the directions outlined in the document, reaffirming their commitment to developing advanced educational pathways focused on innovation, quality of care, and person-centered approaches.
The adoption of the FINE Parma Commitment 2026 therefore represents not only the conclusion of the Conference, but above all a starting point for a shared European commitment aimed at strengthening the role of nursing education as a strategic driver for safer, more equitable, and sustainable healthcare systems.
Within the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma, a central role is dedicated to the introduction to research for health and social care professions, a key element for professional development and for improving the effectiveness, safety, and person-centeredness of services.
Research is an essential tool for understanding health needs, evaluating outcomes, and enhancing the quality of care. It is not only about scientific production, but also a process that enables professionals to adopt a critical, evidence-based approach, guiding decision-making in everyday practice.
Within the Master’s programs, students are guided through a progressive learning pathway, starting from the understanding of the fundamental principles of research and moving toward the development of skills in study design and analysis. Topics covered include the formulation of research questions, literature review, selection of appropriate methodologies, and interpretation of results.
Particular attention is given to the link between research and clinical practice, promoting the use of scientific evidence to support both clinical and organizational decision-making. In this way, research becomes a practical tool for innovating care models, improving processes, and responding more effectively to the complexity of health needs.
Another key aspect is the development of critical thinking, enabling professionals to analyze information, assess the quality of evidence, and actively contribute to the generation of new knowledge.
Through this approach, the Master’s Programs in Healthcare aim to train professionals who are not only skilled in practice, but also capable of questioning, innovating, and contributing to the advancement of health sciences, fostering the continuous improvement of healthcare systems.
At the beginning of each program, the Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma promote the development of a class profile, a key tool for gaining an in-depth understanding of the student group and effectively guiding the organization of teaching activities.
By collecting information on professional backgrounds, existing competencies, and learning expectations, it is possible to outline a clear and comprehensive picture of the class. This initial phase is not only an opportunity for mutual understanding, but also a strategic step to enhance the uniqueness of each participant and foster meaningful learning.
Defining the class profile allows for the adaptation and personalization of the educational pathway, tailoring content, teaching methods, and learning activities to emerging needs. In this way, education becomes a dynamic and participatory process, capable of integrating theoretical knowledge, professional experience, and peer-to-peer exchange.
Particular attention is also given to sharing students’ expectations, which helps to build a pathway aligned with individual and professional goals, while fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging active participation.
This approach reflects a person-centered vision of education, where students play an active role in their own development. The Master’s Programs in Healthcare thus confirm their role as spaces for advanced learning, combining academic quality, flexibility, and responsiveness to the needs of healthcare professionals.
