Strategic and Holistic Approach to Sustainable Development in Hospitals-Perspectives of Nurse Executives: A Qualitative Study.

Sustainability practices in hospitals with international quality certifications were examined within the scope of corporate strategies, regulations, and healthcare accreditation practices based on the experiences of nurse executives. This descriptive qualitative study focuses on exploring the experience of nurse executives in sustainable practices. Using a snowball sampling method, semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with nine nurse executives via an online platform between March 2023 and May 2024. The qualitative data obtained were analyzed using the content analysis method. A total of 9 executive nurses were included in the study. Thematic analysis revealed four main themes: Employee Engagement and Awareness, Structured Practices, Strategic Approach, and Greenwashing. Participants emphasized the importance of increasing employee awareness and managing resistance to change. Structured practices included waste and resource management efforts observed in hospitals. The strategic approach theme highlighted the lack of standardized government policies and the need for integration into hospital strategic planning. The greenwashing theme captured concerns over superficial or reputational sustainability efforts. A total of 9 executive nurses were included in the study. Participants had an average age of 41, with 8 years of professional experience and 6 years in managerial roles. The continuity of awareness is crucial for keeping ecoanxiety at acceptable levels and encouraging nurses to contribute to the development of environmentally friendly healthcare policies.