Environmental health competencies: a survey of U.S. nurse practitioner programs

Because of widespread public and governmental concern about the health effects of environmental hazards and exposure in recent years, and the increasing incidence of environmentally-induced diseases, it is important that primary care nurse practitioners possess the knowledge and skills to effectively address environmental health as a component of their practice. A mailed questionnaire survey of 187 U.S. nurse practitioner (NP) programs was conducted, with a response rate of 64%, to determine: 1) current and ideal emphasis on environmental health, 2) faculty preparation for teaching environmental health, 3) environmental health competencies expected of graduates, 4) didactic and clinical contact hours devoted to environmental health, and 5) barriers and incentives to greater emphasis on environmental health. Findings reveal that more than two-thirds of NP program directors believe there should be greater emphasis on environmental health in their programs, but expressed concerns about overcrowded curricula and lack of faculty preparation as barriers to change. Competencies with the highest mean ratings included understanding the relationship between environmental hazards and human health, accessing information resources related to environmental hazards and health, and counseling clients about how they can reduce risks associated with environmental hazards. The two factors identified as most likely to increase the emphasis on environmental health in NP programs were having nurse faculty with expertise and being able to access information resources related to environmental health. Currently, insufficient attention is given to environmental health in nurse practitioner education programs.