Academic Professional Society

Nursing Economics


Where Nursing Meets Economics.

The Academic Society for Nursing Economics brings together nursing professionals, researchers, and leaders at the intersection of nursing and health economics.


2021
founded
10
Members
2
Co-Presidents
3
Language regions
represented


Our Areas of Focus

Collaboration & Synergies

We actively collaborate with professional societies, trade associations, and nursing networks—to organize joint webinars, workshops, and cross-disciplinary exchanges.

Visibility

We raise awareness of the contribution of nursing economics on LinkedIn, at events, and in professional, political, and public debates.

Political Commentary

We contribute to position papers and expert consultations—to promote a fair, efficient, and high-quality health care system.

Open Dialogue

We create a space for honest, practical discussions about the economics of nursing—from funding and APN compensation to the shortage of skilled workers.

Research & Evidence

We promote research on the economics of nursing and the application of evidence in practice, management, and policy.

Education & Skill Development

We support academic teaching and scientific publications to build expertise in nursing economics and outcomes research.


​Are you also interested in nursing economics?


Become an ASNE member now!


Academic Professional Society

Nursing Economics

About Us

Nursing economics integrates health economics, health services research, outcomes research, and health policy with the realities of nursing practice. It addresses questions that are crucial for sustainable, high-quality care: How should resources be allocated? What does effective nursing care cost—and what added value does it create? How can scientific evidence support better decision-making in clinical practice, management, and policy?

The Swiss healthcare system is changing rapidly. EFAS, the new unified funding system, which was approved by Swiss voters in November 2024, will overhaul the financing of care services in all areas starting in 2028. Unresolved questions regarding Payment for APN Services and to implement the Nursing Care Initiative add to the urgency of this development. The ASNE is committed to ensuring that nursing science has a strong and informed voice in these debates.

We promote collaboration, aim to advance research in health care economics, and are committed to bridging the gap between evidence, practice, and policy—in clinical care, academia, management, and health policy in Switzerland.


Our History

The ASNE was founded in response to a gap that many in the field of Swiss nursing science had recognized: The economic dimensions of nursing were becoming increasingly important, yet nursing was only represented to a limited extent in these discussions.

During her tenure as president of the VfP, Iren Bischofberger advocated early on and consistently for this issue to be given its own platform. Our history shows how this led to the creation of the ASNE:

...
A Growing Community

Membership is growing steadily. Four founding members—Monica Bianchi, Stefan Kunz, Fritz Frauenfelder, and Michael Simon—remain active to this day.

2026
New Co-Presidency

Sarah Holzer and Sibylle Fischbacher

2024
Adjustment Presidium

Katja Bohner

October 2021
The Founding

Twelve experts from across Switzerland founded the ASNE: researchers, faculty members, and clinical leaders from universities, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.

Anna-Barbara Schlüer and Katja Bohner will serve as co-chairs.

Mai 2021
The Motion

Monica and Stefan gather a group of interested colleagues and submit a formal motion to establish an AS Nursing Economics group at the VfP General Assembly. 
The motion is approved.

2020
The idea takes shape

A lecture by Iren Bischofberger as part of the MSc program at SUPSI in Lugano sparks a discussion. Over dinner that same evening, the idea takes shape with Monica Bianchi and Stefan Kunz.

Our Goals

Collaboration and Synergies
We are actively seeking connections with other scientific societies, professional associations, and nursing networks. Creating synergies across disciplines, institutions, and areas of practice is a central component of the ASNE’s work.

In practice: Joint webinars, cross-society workshops, interdisciplinary exchange programs

Open Dialogue​

We provide a forum for honest, practical discussions about the cost-effectiveness of care—ranging from healthcare financing and APN compensation to issues of staffing and care organization. 

In practice: Regular meetings (online and in person), thematic webinars open to the general public

Visibility

We promote the role of the nursing economy in professional, political, and public discussions. This includes maintaining an active presence on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. 

In practice: Presence on LinkedIn, events, media, public relations

Research and Evidence

We support research in nursing economics and promote the application of scientific findings in clinical practice, management, and health policy. A joint research agenda is planned for the future. 

In the future: Publications, joint research agenda 

Contribution to Policy Making

We contribute to position papers and expert reports that promote fair, efficient, and high-quality health care systems. 

Coming soon: Position papers, expert survey

Education and Skills

We support academic teaching and scientific publications to build expertise in the fields of nursing economics and outcomes research (HEOR). 

In practice: Teaching, contributions, and publications by ASNE members

Academic Professional Society

Nursing Economics

Contributors

Sibylle Fischbacher

MScN, MSc in Health Economics and Management, RN
Co-President ASNE

Advanced Practice Nurse (APN-CH)
Intensive Care Unit, 
Zurich City Hospital Waid


      ORCID   ResearchGate

Sarah Holzer

Sarah Holzer

MScN, RN
Co-President ASNE

Ph.D. candidate
Department of Public Health,
Institute of Nursing Science, 
University of Basel

      ORCID   ResearchGate

Monica Bianchi

Ph.D., EMBA, RN

Professor, Director of the Master's Program in Nursing Science – SUPSI 

      ORCID   ResearchGate

Loris Bonetti

PhD, RN

Director of the Center of Excellence for Nursing Research and Lecturer – Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC) / SUPSI

      ORCID   ResearchGate

Fritz Frauenfelder

Ph.D., EMPA, RN

Head of Nursing, Therapies, and Social Work – University Psychiatric Hospital Zurich

      ORCID   ResearchGate

Samuel R. Hug 

MScN, RN

Independent nursing researcher

      ORCID   ResearchGate

Michael Ketzer

MScN, RN

Ph.D. candidate, Institute for Nursing Science (INS), University of Basel, and nursing researcher, University Psychiatric Clinics (UPK) Basel.

      ORCID   ResearchGate

Stefan Kunz

Ph.D., RN

Senior Researcher and Privatdozent (PD) – SUPSI

      ORCID   ResearchGate

Cédric Mabire

PhD, RN

Associate Professor and Deputy Director of Education at IUFRS, Faculty of Biology and Medicine – University of Lausanne

      ORCID   ResearchGate

Michael Simon

PhD, RN, FEANS

Associate Professor and Director of the Institute for Nursing Science, University of Basel; Co-Chair of the Department of Public Health

      ORCID   ResearchGate

You?

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Academic Professional Society

Nursing Economics

Dates

From informal online meetups to national conferences: this is where you’ll find ASNE. Stop by to exchange ideas with colleagues, discover current topics in nursing economics, and get to know our community—online or in person. 
You’re warmly welcome—just drop by to check it out.

Become an ASNE member now!


You can find our upcoming events in our Schedule Overview.


Academic Professional Society

Nursing Economics

Scientific Literature

The following list serves as an introduction for anyone exploring the topic of healthcare economics for the first time, as well as a guide for those who wish to deepen their knowledge in specific areas. The articles were selected by ASNE members and cover four key topics; there is also a section featuring publications by ASNE members.

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Topic 1 – Nursing Staffing Levels and Patient Outcomes

These are the foundational studies that demonstrate the relationship between staffing levels in nursing care and treatment outcomes. They are frequently cited in health policy and form the empirical basis for the field of nursing economics.

  • Aiken, L. H., Clarke, S. P., Sloane, D. M., Sochalski, J., & Silber, J. H. (2002). Hospital nurse staffing and patient mortality, nurse burnout, and job dissatisfaction.. JAMA, 288(16), 1987-1993. DOI: 10.1001/jama.288.16.1987
  • Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Bruyneel, L., Van den Heede, K., Griffiths, P., Busse, R., Diomidous, M., Kinnunen, J., Közsi, M., Lesaffre, E., McHugh, M. D., Moreno-Casbas, M. T.,
  • Rafferty, A. M., Schwendimann, R., Scott, P. A., Tishelman, C., van Achterberg, T., & Sermeus, W. (2014). Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries: a retrospective observational study.. The Lancet, 383(9931), 1824–1830. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62631-8

​Topic 2 – Nursing-Specific Outcomes and Quality Indicators

These studies form the methodological basis for measuring the contribution of nursing to patient care using defined quality indicators.

  • Needleman, J., Buerhaus, P., Mattke, S., Stewart, M., & Zelevinsky, K. (2002). Nurse-staffing levels and the quality of care in hospitals.. New England Journal of Medicine, 346(22), 1715-1722. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsa012247
  • Öner, B., Zengul, F. D., Oner, N., Ivankova, N. V., Karadag, A., & Patrician, P. A. (2021). Nursing-sensitive indicators for nursing care: A systematic review (1997–2017).. Nursing Open, 8(3), 1005–1022. DOI: 10.1002/nop2.654

​Topic 3 – Health Economics Methods for Nursing Research

These articles and materials provide an overview of economic evaluation and HEOR methods and can be directly applied to nursing research.

  • Fitzpatrick, E., & Dempsey, O. (2024). Health economics in nursing research: what you need to know to include economic evaluation methodology in your research.. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 23(1), 99–107. DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvad085
  • Unruh, L., & Fottler, M. (2008). Economics of nursing.. PMC / PubMed Central. NIH. DOI: 10.1177/019394590802900310

​Topic 4 – The Swiss Health Care System in Context

These sources provide important background information on the reforms of the Swiss healthcare system that are of particular significance to the economics of nursing care, including EFAS and the Nursing Care Initiative.

  • WHO European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. (2025). The EFAS reform introduces uniform financing of outpatient and inpatient services.. Switzerland Health Systems Monitor, European Observatory. Link
  • Federal Council of Switzerland / Swiss Nursing Association (SBK-ASI). (2025). Implementation of the Pflegeinitiative: Stage 2 draft law on working conditions and professional regulation. Federal Council documentation, submitted to Parliament May 2025. Link

​Theme 5 — The value of nursing: broader perspectives

These articles place the economics of nursing in a broader strategic and global context.

  • Abujaber, A. A., & Nashwan, A. J. (2025). Beyond cost centers: The true economic contribution of nursing in healthcare.. SAGE Open Nursing, 11. DOI: 10.1177/23779608251356144
  • World Health Organization. (2020). State of the world’s nursing 2020: Investing in education, jobs and leadership.. WHO, Geneva. Link


Academic Professional Society

Nursing Economics

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