In May 2025, the Swiss Federal Council advanced the second stage of the 2021 Nursing Initiative (“Pflegeinitiative”) by submitting legislative proposals to Parliament aimed at improving working conditions and retention of nursing staff. The Nursing Initiative, approved by 61% of voters in 2021, is being implemented in two phases: the first stage (in force since July 2024) focuses on expanding nursing education through a national training programme and financial support for training institutions.
The second stage seeks structural reforms, including a new Federal Law on Working Conditions in Nursing and amendments to the Health Professions Law to strengthen career development opportunities and professional autonomy for nurses and improve retention of nurses. However, the parliamentary process has proven contentious. In January 2026, a National Council committee proposed scaling back several measures due to cost concerns, prompting criticism from unions and nursing organizations that the proposals would not sufficiently improve working conditions or address workforce shortages.