Ticino nurses: fleeing to Milan in search of work

Context

TL;DR

• Ticino nurses seek jobs in Milan due to local market struggles.
• 94.9% of 2023 SUPSI graduates employed within a year.
• Shift from acute to community care impacts job opportunities.
• Experience paradox: employers demand experience but don't provide it.

Key facts

• Employment rate: 94.9% of 2023 SUPSI nursing graduates employed within a year.
• Job search start: Martina began her job search in May 2025.
• Institution contacted: European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan.
• Training shift: From acute care to community-based and long-term care.
• Martina's age: 26 years old.
• Martina's degree: Master of Science in Nursing from SUPSI.
• Martina's contract: Worked for a few months in a doctor’s office, contract not renewed.
• EU Directive: 2005/36/CE, simplifies professional mobility between EU countries.

“It’s frustrating not being able to put into practice, in a professional setting, the skills I’ve learned over years of training.” These are the words of Martina*, 26, a newly qualified nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). She began her job search in May 2025, but after nearly a year without concrete results, the young nurse decided to look beyond Switzerland’s borders. “I sent my CV to the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan. It’s a very specific field, and I didn’t expect my application to be considered. Yet, the day after I submitted it, I was contacted and invited for an interview. Since last May, they’ve been trying to reach me.”

Martina’s story comes to light in a context where, according to SUPSI data, 94.9% of graduates in 2023 had found employment within a year of earning their degree. However, Professor Carla Pedrazzani, head of the SUPSI Bachelor’s programme in Nursing, points out that “patient care pathways are changing: we’re seeing a clear shift from acute care to long-term and community-based care.” This shift in training doesn’t always align with the expectations of new graduates, who often seek opportunities in hospitals.

Martina worked for a few months in a doctor’s office, but when her contract expired, it wasn’t renewed. “I don’t know if it’s a question of credibility, but there’s no real opportunity to engage with the profession. I feel discouraged: on one hand, experience is demanded, on the other, there’s no chance to gain it. It’s a Catch-22.” Her experience isn’t unique. Some colleagues in similar situations have temporarily set aside their hospital ambitions to turn to nursing homes or other sectors, but even in those fields, the situation hasn’t proven any easier.

## The contradiction between data and reality SUPSI’s 2024 figures show that 94.9% of 2023 graduates found employment within a year of earning their degree. Yet Professor Pedrazzani admits that “every single case is different.” The need for nurses in Ticino has become chronic in recent years, with repeated warnings about professionals leaving the field. But what happens to those, like Martina, who can’t secure a position in the local job market?

The answer isn’t obvious. According to SUPSI, training is adapting to a demand that is shifting from acute care to community-based and long-term care. However, for many new graduates, the hospital remains the ultimate goal. “Working in a doctor’s office is a reality where you don’t truly engage with nursing duties: it might be fine for a while, but not in the long run. Even in care homes for the elderly, the story is much the same. Everyone I know can’t wait to move on,” explains Martina.

The scale of the phenomenon

SUPSI’s 2024 data shows an employment rate of 94.9% for 2023 graduates, but it doesn’t specify how many found jobs in hospitals compared to other facilities. Professor Pedrazzani highlights that “there’s a perceived reluctance in some sectors to trust new graduates.” This phenomenon could explain why, despite the demand for staff, some young professionals struggle to secure stable positions.

What changes for cross-border workers

For those living in Ticino but looking across the border, the situation becomes even more complex. Martina decided to send her CV to Milan after months of unsuccessful job searches. “It’s a leap of faith, but when you’re given no alternatives, you have to try.” Her experience raises questions about professional mobility and the opportunities the Italian job market can offer compared to the Swiss one.

📊 Key figures

• 94.9% of SUPSI nursing graduates in 2023 found employment within a year.
• Demand for nurses in Ticino has been chronic for years, with repeated warnings about staff shortages.
• Many new graduates struggle to gain experience due to the “experience paradox.”

💡 Insight The shift from acute to community-based care is reshaping training needs, but hospitals remain the preferred destination for many. This mismatch may contribute to the difficulties faced by new graduates in securing stable positions.

⚠️ Call to action The healthcare sector must address the experience paradox by creating structured pathways for new graduates to gain practical experience, ensuring a sustainable workforce for the future.

Operational details

Martina’s story is not just a personal case, but reflects a broader phenomenon affecting young nurses in Ticino. Despite the chronic need for healthcare staff, many recent graduates struggle to find employment in their field of specialization. This imbalance between labor supply and demand is not new, but recent dynamics are highlighting shortcomings that have never been so evident.

Before and after: the changing expectations

Until just a few years ago, the typical career path for a nurse in Ticino involved securing a position in a hospital within months of graduating. Today, however, many young professionals are forced to accept fixed-term contracts or roles in sectors considered "fallback" options, such as medical practices or nursing homes. "I sent my resume to every facility, but apart from a few contacts, nothing materialized," Martina explains. Her testimony highlights a growing gap between educational expectations and the realities of the job market, especially for those aspiring to work in hospitals.

The problem of lack of experience

One of the main barriers for recent graduates is employers’ demand for prior work experience. "On one hand, they ask for experience, but on the other, they don’t give you the chance to gain it. It’s a paradox," says the 26-year-old. While this issue is not new, its persistence points to a structural problem in Ticino’s labor market. Despite needing staff, healthcare facilities appear to favor candidates with at least a few years of experience, leaving recent graduates at a disadvantage.

Alternatives: the border and mobility

For many young professionals, the solution lies beyond the border. Martina decided to send her resume to the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan, a specialized center that responded positively to her application. "It’s a very specific field, and I didn’t expect my application to even be considered. Yet, the day after sending my CV, I was contacted and invited for an interview." Her experience shows that, in some cases, the Italian market can offer opportunities that Ticino’s labor market fails to provide.

However, working abroad also comes with additional challenges, such as the need to obtain new professional certification or adapt to a different healthcare system. "I don’t know if it’s a credibility issue, but you’re not given the chance to truly engage with the profession," Martina reflects. Her frustration is shared by many colleagues who, despite completing high-level training, find themselves forced to seek opportunities elsewhere.

The role of educational institutions

SUPSI is working to align its training programs with the evolving needs of the job market, with a focus on community care and long-term care. "We’re trying to adapt our training to this shift and present all professional perspectives to our students," explains Professor Pedrazzani. However, the transition is not immediate, and many recent graduates feel disoriented by a job market that no longer matches their expectations.

What if...?

If the trend of nurses leaving Ticino for jobs abroad were to grow, two opposing scenarios could unfold:

• Scenario 1: Ticino’s healthcare facilities may be forced to revise their hiring policies, offering more opportunities to recent graduates to prevent the loss of talent.
• Scenario 2: The shortage of qualified staff in Ticino could push more young professionals to seek work abroad, further reducing the local pool of available talent.

In both cases, the risk is that Ticino’s healthcare system will lose valuable expertise, with long-term consequences for the quality of care provided.

📊 Key takeaway: The mismatch between training and job market realities is pushing young nurses to look beyond Ticino’s borders.

⚠️ Food for thought: If no action is taken, Ticino’s healthcare system may face a brain drain, with serious implications for patient care.

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Key points

Are you a Ticino-based nurse looking for job opportunities? Your experience might be similar to Martina’s. Here’s how you can maximize your chances of finding employment, both in Ticino and across the border.

Step 1: Assess local opportunities

Before looking beyond the border, it’s crucial to explore all possibilities in the Ticino job market. SUPSI offers career coaching and placement services for its graduates, helping them identify healthcare facilities interested in newly qualified professionals. «Presenting all professional perspectives to our students» is one of SUPSI’s priorities, as confirmed by Professor Pedrazzani.

You can also directly contact Ticino healthcare facilities, such as EOC (Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale) hospitals, to ask about graduate integration programs. Some hospitals offer training pathways that allow you to gain hands-on experience.

Step 2: Expand your search across the border 📊

If opportunities in Ticino are limited, consider applying to healthcare facilities in Italy, particularly in specialized fields like oncology. Martina found an opportunity at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan, but there are also other facilities in Lombardy and Piedmont actively seeking nursing staff.

However, working in Italy requires obtaining the Italian professional qualification. The process varies by region, but generally includes:

• Submitting a request for title recognition to the Ordine delle Professioni Infermieristiche (OPI) of the destination region.
• Completing any required additional training.
• Passing a state exam or an evaluative internship.

Title recognition is governed by the EU Directive 2005/36/CE, which simplifies professional mobility between EU countries. However, the process can take several months, so it’s advisable to start the procedure well in advance.

Step 3: Prepare an effective CV 💡

A well-structured CV is essential to catch the attention of recruiters. Here are some practical tips:

-Tailor your CV to the job offer, highlighting the most relevant skills for the role.

• Include training experiences such as internships or university projects that demonstrate your abilities.
• Add references from professors or professionals in the field who can attest to your skills.

If you’re looking for a job in Italy, make sure your CV is in Italian and follows local conventions. Some facilities may also require a motivational cover letter.

Step 4: Use the resources available

SUPSI offers job search support services, including:

• Career coaching to help you prepare your CV and handle interviews.
• Placement platforms to find job announcements specifically for nurses.
• Assistance for title recognition if you wish to work abroad.

In addition to these services, you can register on specialized healthcare job portals, such as:

• JobUp for announcements in Switzerland.
• LinkedIn for international opportunities.
• Indeed for announcements in Italy.

Step 5: Evaluate the possibility of working as a frontier employee ⚠️

If you decide to work in Italy but reside in Ticino, you’ll need to consider tax and insurance aspects. As a frontier employee, you’re entitled to specific tax benefits, but you must also comply with certain rules.

You can calculate your net salary and taxes owed using our salary calculator. Additionally, ensure you’re compliant with healthcare and social security insurance, both in Switzerland and Italy.

What to do if you can’t find a job?

If, after months of searching, you still haven’t found employment, consider:

• Attending specialization courses to enhance your skills and become more competitive.
• Offering your services as a volunteer in healthcare facilities to gain practical experience.
• Participating in job fairs, such as the one organized by SUPSI, to meet recruiters directly.

Your training is an added value: don’t give up, and keep searching for your opportunity.

Source: tio.ch