Nursing education in Europe is regulated by EU directives (2005/36/EC, 2013/55/EU) and national legislation in each country. Nursing education includes at least 180 credits (ECTS), including theoretical and clinical training. Theoretical studies must consist of nursing, basic sciences and social sciences, and clinical training must include certain clinical periods mentioned in the Directives. There is no specific mention of wound care studies. In most EU countries, nursing education is at the bachelor level at a university or university of applied science level and lasts between 3 and 4 years.

A high level of nursing competence is needed because it is the basis for safe and good health and nursing care. The nursing profession and nursing education have developed significantly over the last decades. Community-based healthcare, an ageing population, the use of complex treatments and constantly developing technologies require nurses to have the ability to work more responsibly. Digital learning in nursing education provides multiple alternatives for innovative teaching and learning strategies. Recent studies show that the self-assessed competence of graduating nursing students is generally good, although there is variation between countries.