“The shortage of nursing staff represents one of the most significant challenges for
healthcare systems worldwide. According to estimates by the World Health Organiza-
tion, the global nursing deficit decreased from 6.2 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2023,
with a further reduction to 4.1 million projected by 2030. Despite this trend, the literature
highlights how this shortage remains a structural issue, mainly associated with the aging
of the workforce, the reduced attractiveness of the nursing profession, with a consequent
decrease in enrollments in training programs, the increase in burnout among healthcare
professionals following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing demand for health-
care linked to the prevalence of chronic diseases. Population aging and the increase
in chronic diseases contribute to a higher demand for care, requiring an ever-growing
number of nurses who are adequately trained to respond to emerging care needs. These
structural factors have been further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has
exacerbated pre-existing challenges and highlighted the urgent need to improve the work-
ing conditions of nursing staff in order to ensure sustainable and effective professional
practice. Within this context, the capacity of healthcare organizations to retain qualified
nursing staff has emerged as a key determinant of the sustainability and effectiveness
of health systems globally.”