Shaping the Future of Healthcare Workforce Training:
Insights from Dr. Ber Oomen – ESNO, European Specialist Nurses Organization
We were honored to welcome two distinguished members of the H-PASS Advisory Board to the Consortium meeting held in February 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. Their presence brought valuable insights and expertise, enriching our discussions.
Dr. Ber Oomen, Executive Director of the European Specialist Nurses Organization (ESNO), highlighted the immense potential of the H-PASS project in shaping the future of healthcare workforce training across Europe.
What does HP mean to you and your organization in terms of its mission and values?
Like the European Specialist Nurses Organization, which represents many specialist nurses, I believe we recognize the H-PASS project as a vital initiative that aligns with our commitment – particularly to continuous professional development, not only in terms of competence but also in recognizing the value of our work for sustainability. I also strongly believe that it reinforces the importance of lifelong learning and certification, ensuring that health professionals maintain and enhance their skills.
Education and certification in the EU are highly fragmented, and the fact that H-PASS training will be recognized across the EU adds significant value.
For ESNO, the H-PASS project represents standardization, mobility, and professional credibility. When we talk about mobility, many people think of movement between countries. However, for us, mobility also refers to transitions within a country or even within a hospital. Hospitals often have different departments, and addressing mobility means enabling nurses to have their expertise recognized not only across national borders but also within their own institutions. This directly supports our mission and advances specialist nursing practice while enhancing patient safety and the quality of care.
How do you see a new project like H-PASS in tackling the improvement of health workforce in the EU?
When discussing improvements to the health workforce in the EU, we must start with the word ‘preparedness.’ During COVID, every country faced an extremely challenging time. While we were somewhat prepared for the pandemic, we are now witnessing a significant decline in the availability of health professionals and the resilience of health systems. The private sector is stepping in to fill gaps, while the public sector remains under increasing pressure.
This is why I see preparedness as essential, not only for the health workforce but also for the health system. H-PASS addresses this critical gap in the EU health workforce by introducing a structured recognition of skills and competencies.
The project facilitates mobility and career progression for professionals, enabling them to transfer their qualifications across different health systems. Furthermore, by harmonizing competency frameworks and promoting the transferability of qualifications, H-PASS enhances workforce flexibility, ensuring that health professionals – including specialist nurses – are equipped to respond effectively to emerging health challenges.
Ultimately, this contributes to workforce retention, job satisfaction, and professional development, strengthening healthcare systems across Europe.
What would you tell a health professional who is interested in this program? Why would they apply for it?
Well, that’s a very simple question. I believe the H-PASS training provides a unique opportunity for health professionals to have their skills, achievements, and competencies formally recognized at the European level.
For nurses across all specializations – including advanced-level nurses – this means obtaining validated, portable credentials that enhance career progression and open doors to new roles and opportunities within the EU.
Additionally, this program supports workforce mobility, making it easier for nurses to work across borders without unnecessary bureaucratic barriers.
I think another crucial aspect of this process is that nurses seek greater autonomy. If certification is only recognized by a single university or hospital, it is simply not enough. However, when placed in a European context, it significantly strengthens their commitment by fostering a sense of autonomy and self-confidence.
Beyond that, applying for the H-PASS demonstrates a commitment to excellence in professional development and reinforces the credibility of nursing expertise within interdisciplinary healthcare teams. This is something we should always keep in mind. In fact, rather than using the term ‘multidisciplinary,’ we should speak about ‘interdisciplinary’ teams, as this better reflects the collaboration of equal professionals.
H-PASS is an investment not only in professional but also in personal development, ensuring that health professionals remain at the forefront of quality care delivery. And when I speak about the forefront, I don’t mean only frontline nurses: nurses are also present in higher education institutions, research, and management.
All in all, I believe H-PASS provides a fundamental response to the pressing questions we face in Europe regarding the sustainability of healthcare.