Teaching students about nursing and the environment: Part 1--Nursing role and basic curricula

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Environmental Health

Background:

• The four central concepts in nursing are health, person, nursing, and environment.
• The environmental concept is historically under-researched and under-taught in nursing.
• Current nursing education inadequately prepares nurses for environmental health practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide nursing faculty with essential content to teach environmental health.
• To support the integration of environmental concepts into nursing curricula.
• To enhance nurses' understanding of environmental impacts on health.

Main Methods:

• This is Part 1 of a 2-part series.
• Provides historical context of the environment in nursing.
• Outlines a basic curriculum and student learning activities.

Main Results:

• Identifies the historical neglect of environmental factors in nursing.
• Offers foundational knowledge for teaching environmental health.
• Includes practical learning activities for students.

Conclusions:

• Nursing education must prioritize environmental health.
• Faculty require resources to effectively teach environmental concepts.
• Integrating environmental content is crucial for improving public health outcomes.