Title : Strengthening occupational health nursing through certified competency development: A national training model with international relevance

In the field of worker health protection, the role of nurses in Italy is still not clearly defined, particularly at the institutional level, partly due to the lack of specific educational pathways. In line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, the occupational health nurse works in close collaboration with the occupational physician and other professionals, contributing to the promotion of overall health in the workplace and to the reduction of occupational risks. 

Consistent with its preventive mission, the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL) has initiated a program aimed at developing and enhancing this professional role through the definition of certified specialized competencies. In order to identify the key competencies of the occupational health nurse relevant to the design of the training program, the main scientific publications of the past five years on the role of the occupational nurse, as well as international guidelines on occupational health education, were reviewed.

The training program was structured in multiple phases. The first phase, delivered through distance learning, focused on strengthening theoretical knowledge related to occupational injuries and diseases, with particular emphasis on occupational history taking. The subsequent phases involved on-the-job training through individualized learning activities. In this context, each participant, supervised by an occupational physician acting as a tutor, developed and applied a structured checklist for collecting occupational history in cases of suspected occupational disease.

Between 2024 and 2025, 93 nurses working in INAIL outpatient clinics were trained. The competencies acquired through this pathway enhanced the nursing role, particularly in the systematic collection of occupational history during medico-legal assessments and in the planning of health promotion interventions aimed at improving workers’ well-being. From this perspective, the acquisition of advanced competencies through certified training pathways represents a fundamental element for the recognition and strengthening of the role of the occupational health nurse.

Antonella Cinzia Punziano, PhD, RN, is a senior nurse leader and healthcare manager at the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), where she holds national responsibility for non physician healthcare professionals. She holds a PhD in Nursing Sciences and a Master’s degree in Nursing and Midwifery Sciences. Dr. Punziano has extensive experience in occupational health, competency-based education, and workforce development. She is actively involved in European and international research initiatives, academic teaching, and professional training. Her work focuses on strengthening advanced nursing roles, promoting worker health, and fostering interdisciplinary and institutional collaboration in occupational health systems.