The training of the pediatric nurse began in the postwar period at the Giannina Gaslini Institute. Since the 2006-2007 academic year, the Bachelor of Science in Pediatric Nursing has been activated, which starts from the study of the propaedeutic disciplines and goes all the way to specialized study. Pediatrics and pediatric nursing are studied and students are guided by competent faculty and a tutor in assisting the child and his or her family.

The peculiarity is the clinical internship carried out both at the G. Gaslini, which offers all specialist areas, as well as in other Hospitals. The course combines traditional lectures with seminars, teacher-led group work, professionalizing laboratories, and training and simulation activities with specific teaching equipment. Professional-technical skills (skills) are differentiated for the first, second and third years.

The graduate in Pediatric Nursing carries out his or her professional activity in a dependent or freelance capacity, in public or private health facilities both in hospital and in the territory. He/she can continue academic studies, having access to the Master's degree in Nursing and Midwifery or to Level I Master's degrees.

The Pediatric Nursing graduate must integrate the knowledge acquired with the skills and practical competencies necessary to deliver pediatric nursing care, ensuring quality and safety of care. He/she must be able to analyze the health problems of a community and the responses of health and social welfare services to the main needs of the child and family while respecting the cultural, ethical and professional principles that govern the profession of pediatric nursing.

In the first year propaedeutic disciplines and biomedical sciences are addressed, to consolidate basic knowledge, plus English and computer science; elements of first aid, health promotion, and professional safety, including radiation protection, are also covered.

In the second year, specialized disciplines are addressed for specific knowledge of the methodologies specific to the professional profile, also with the aim of acquiring knowledge in the area of functional alterations related to the area of expertise.

The third year is aimed at in-depth specialized high-complexity care of the critical care area and emergency medicine and also at the acquisition of knowledge and methodologies inherent in professional practice and and teamwork; the student can experience a gradual assumption of responsibility with the supervision of experts and the acquisition of methodological skills of scientific research to support the development of the thesis.

Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Sciences - DINOGMI
Largo Paolo Daneo 3
16132 Genoa

Student Secretariat
Viale Benedetto XV 7
16132 Genoa

Secretariat and Teaching Headquarters
Giannina Gaslini Institute
Via Gaslini 5
16147 Genoa

1) What work does a Pediatric Nursing Graduate do?
. The responsibilities and functions of a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner are established by Ministerial Decree No. 70 of January 17, 1997, Regulations Concerning the Identification of the Figure and Related Professional Profile of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Specifically: the Pediatric Nursing Graduate: 1) identifies the physical and mental health needs of the infant, child, adolescent, and, in general, the family; 2) identifies pediatric nursing care needs and formulates related objectives; 3) plans, conducts, and evaluates pediatric nursing interventions; 4) participates in health education interventions, in the care of healthy individuals of developmental age, in the outpatient, home, and hospital care of infants and individuals under the age of eighteen and suffering from acute and chronic illnesses, and in the care of adolescents; 5) ensures that diagnostic and therapeutic prescriptions are properly applied; 6) acts both individually and in collaboration with other health and/or social workers.
 
2) What does a Pediatric Nursing Graduate not do?
. The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner does not make medical diagnoses or prescribe medications. According to the Ministerial Decree 1997 (professional profile of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner), he/she cannot care for patients over 18 years of age.
 
3) What kind of motivations do those who choose to major in Pediatric Nursing have?
. Interest in and sensitivity to a helping profession in the pediatric field; practice of a profession oriented to human contact and relationship, aptitude for teamwork.
 
4) Where can I get a job with a degree in Pediatric Nursing?
. A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner can work, subject to registration with the Professional Order, in public or private health and social welfare facilities, either on a dependent or freelance basis. Specifically: in children's hospitals, all inpatient units and outpatient services; in general hospitals, inpatient and outpatient units of neonatology and/or pediatrics; in pediatric hospital and territorial emergency services; in territorial, home and outpatient health services of maternal and child area; in prevention and public health services; in pediatric hospices; in facilities for long-term patients; in rehabilitation centers; and in care centers for the disabled.
 
5) What types of users does a Pediatric Nursing Graduate work with?
. Pediatric nursing, being a professional discipline with its own historical and scientific specificity, assists the age group from newborn to adolescent (from birth to the age of 18).

 
6) In what public institutions can a Pediatric Nursing Graduate work?
. Children's hospitals, in all inpatient operating units and outpatient services; general hospitals, in inpatient and outpatient operating units of neonatology and/or pediatrics; pediatric hospital and territorial emergency services; maternal and child health services, home and outpatient services;
preventive and public health services; pediatric hospices; post-acute, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, care centers for the disabled.
 
7) What outlets does a Pediatric Nursing graduate have in the private sector?
. A graduate in Pediatric Nursing can work in private community and home care services, private long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, and care centers for the disabled. He or she may also practice as a freelancer.

 
8) What advanced studies can a Graduate in Pediatric Nursing have access to?
. A graduate in Pediatric Nursing can continue his or her course of study by enrolling in first-level university Master's degrees and Postgraduate Courses, obtain a Master's degree, and, after obtaining a Master's degree, enroll in second-level Master's degrees and PhD.

 
9) How many chances does a Pediatric Nursing Graduate have of finding a job?
. According to data published by Alma laurea at link:https://www2.almalaurea.it/cgi-php/lau/sondaggi/intro.php?config=occupa… with a survey conducted in 2020, employment one year after graduation is 100 percent. The data refer to the University of Genoa.

 
10) What career options does a Pediatric Nursing Graduate have?
. Careers can be cross-disciplinary in nature and develop in clinical/career, research, organization/management, and education. The level of responsibility may vary from coordinating to managerial functions.

Director of Professional Teaching
. Laura Fornoni - laurafornoni@gaslini.org

Course Tutors
. Viviana Pompei - vivianapompei@gaslini.org