Nurse-sensitive environmental indicators: A qualitative study.

AIM

This study aims to explore the proposed concept of "nurse-sensitive environmental indicators" among nursing and non-nursing leaders of environmental stewardship who work with nurses.

BACKGROUND

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, nurses are obligated to "practice in a manner that advances environmental safety and health." Little is known about environmental impacts in acute-care nursing.

METHODS

Nursing and non-nursing leaders of environmental stewardship across the United States (N = 9) were interviewed to explore the concept of acute-care nurse-sensitive environmental indicators. Transcripts were examined using qualitative descriptive analysis.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis revealed that nurses are in key positions to influence environmental change, need more education and awareness to be effective, and need leadership support and role-modelling. Issues related to waste were highly nurse sensitive; issues related to food, chemicals, and transportation were moderately nurse sensitive; issues related to energy and water were minimally nurse sensitive.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary consensus on nurse-sensitive environmental indicators was confirmed by leader participants in this study.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

To help meet environmentally focused Sustainable Development Goals, nursing leaders can use the concept of nurse-sensitive environmental indicators in planning, education, resource allocation, and leadership to improve environmental stewardship in acute care nursing.