The regulation of autonomy in nursing: the Italian situation

We reflect upon the meaning of freedom and autonomy in nursing behaviour, attempting to outline the contemporary situation of nursing in Italy, where the profession is achieving important results after a long period of submission and subordination. The way to real emancipation is not easy, but a statement of law on the one hand--abolishing constraints such as the Mansionario--and professional self-regulation on the other--the recent new Deontological Code--represent a real conquest in that direction. However, no statement of law or deontology can be sufficient without deeper reflection by the profession on itself and its tasks, potentiality, social importance and self-esteem.