Nurses' perspectives on climate change, health and nursing practice

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Nursing Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Climate change poses significant risks to human health.
• Nurses, with their health promotion mandate, have a professional and ethical duty to address climate change.
• Understanding Canadian nurses' perspectives on climate change and their perceived responsibilities is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Canadian nurses' perspectives on climate change.
• To examine the perceived relationships between climate change, human health, and nursing practice.
• To understand nurses' views on their professional responsibility in addressing climate change.

Main Methods:

• A focused ethnography was employed in a Canadian hospital setting.
• Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with 22 nurses and direct observations.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data, adhering to COREQ guidelines.

Main Results:

• Three key themes emerged: "muddled terminology," "climate change and health," and "nursing's relationship to climate change."
• Nurses demonstrated varied knowledge regarding climate change and its health implications.
• While climate change was a personal concern, its connection to nursing practice and professional responsibility was not widely recognized.

Conclusions:

• Practicing nurses often do not readily identify their role in mitigating climate change.
• Clarifying the nursing role in climate action and integrating it into daily practice is essential.
• Healthcare organizations need to enhance support for environmentally responsible nursing practices.