European Union launches campaign to recruit nurses

Brussels – Today, Jan. 17, the Commission launched the first EU action to support member states in retaining and attracting nurses, with a budget of 1.3 million euros under the EU4Health program.

The European Commission established the action in collaboration with WHO Europe following the agreement signed in September 2024.

The action includes activities across all EU member states over 36 months, focusing on countries with significant health workforce challenges. By working closely with member states, nurses’ organizations, and social partners, the initiative will be tailored to specific needs at the national and sub-national levels.

The main activities of the initiative include mentoring programs to attract a new generation of nurses, nurse workforce impact assessments to understand the problems behind structural shortages, strategies to improve the health and well-being of nurses, and actions to help reap the benefits of digital transformation and AI.

“We currently face a shortage of 1.2 million doctors, nurses, and midwives across the EU, and there is a decline in interest in nursing careers across more than half of EU countries,” Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi explained.