Schenk E, Johnson S. Nurse-sensitive environmental indicators: A qualitative study.
J Nurs Manag 2022;
30:4378-4386. [PMID:
36205698 DOI:
10.1111/jonm.13861]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
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.
Collapse