Since 2004, FOHNEU's Education Group has surveyed national representatives across EU member states (and observer countries) to track the education, practice, and professional status of Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) over time. Four reports are available, spanning surveys conducted in 2004, 2009, and 2012.
The earliest report (2004) covered 15 countries and mapped basic nursing education systems, specialist OHN training programmes, and the scope of OHN practice across Europe. The 2009 survey extended this to more member states, tracking trends such as workforce numbers, professional association membership, and regulatory bodies. The most comprehensive report (2012) expanded coverage to 20 countries, adding new sections on the everyday opportunities and barriers OHNs face in practice — including emerging occupational risks (e.g. nanotechnology, psychosocial hazards, an ageing workforce), employment conditions, and research activity.
Together, these reports show a gradual professionalisation of OHN education across the EU, with growing emphasis on postgraduate and university-level specialisation, alongside persistent challenges around professional recognition, resources, and harmonisation of standards between countries. FOHNEU intends to continue this survey periodically to monitor how the profession evolves.
Click on the title above to read and /or download the reports of the FOHNEU Survey.
- OH Nursing Education, Practice and Profile in the EU countries. FINAL REPORT 2012 (pdf)
- OHN Status in the EU 2005-2012 (pdf)
- Survey of OH Nursing in the EU 2005-2009 (pdf)
- Report on OHN Education & Practice in the EU 2004 (pdf)
FOHNEU Journal
The FOHNEU Journal is the official publication of the Federation of Occupational Health Nurses within the European Union (FOHNEU). It was published in 1995, with support from the European Commission.
The journal offers insight into the state of occupational health nursing across EU Member States (including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom), covers topical professional issues such as workplace health promotion and the national implementation of EU directives, and reports on the activities, congresses, and upcoming events of FOHNEU and related international organisations (e.g. ICOH, EUROHNET).
The publication was released in English, French, and German in printed (paper) format.
Only the English-language excerpt is published on this website.
