Student nurses exposed to sustainability education can challenge practice: A cohort study. (2nd June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aronsson, Jennie; Clarke, Daniel; Grose, Jane; Richardson, Janet
• Is Part Of: Nursing & health sciences. Volume 22:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 803
• Page End: 811
• Publication Date: 2020-06-02
• Subjects: climate change -- cohort study -- scenario‐based learning -- survey -- sustainability; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12734
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1441-0745

Abstract

Abstract: Climate change will adversely affect the health of populations and the ability of healthcare systems to deliver appropriate and timely care. Furthermore, resource scarcity requires nurses to practice in more sustainable ways. This study investigated the extent to which student nurses reported that they were able to apply their knowledge of sustainability in clinical practice following educational sessions on relevant topics. Students were exposed to scenario‐based sustainability education in years 1, 2, and 3 of their 3‐year program. Data were collected using a questionnaire that asked participants if they were able to implement sustainable practice. In year 2, 121 students, and in year 3, 68 stated they made a change or challenged practice as a consequence of learning about sustainability. Barriers preventing them from challenging unsustainable practice were lack of confidence and resistance to change. Year‐3 students were more able to influence unsustainable practice than were those in year 2. This study indicates that sustainability sessions, focused on aspects of clinical relevance, can support nurses to implement change; barriers remain that require confidence building for the students.