Abstract
The healthcare system has the health and existence of humanity at the core of its practice as the Hippocratic Oath goes, Do good and Do no harm (Wabnitz et al., 2020). Hence, the healthcare system acknowledges the impacts of climate change. It is responding by contributing its part in the fight against climate change by providing care to climate sufferers and taking green initiatives (WHO, 2021). There are numerous laudable projects in the health-care sector which are geared toward reducing the greenhouse emissions of the sector, ranging from renewable energy projects to digitalisation. The role of nurses is paramount in sustainable healthcare. This study seeks to explore the UK healthcare leaders and nurses perspectives on the practices of sustainability in relation to climate change.
An exploratory qualitative design with 15 participants in a 1:1 interviews was utilised. The study employed purposive, snowball, and non-probability quota sampling. The study population were nurses, sustainability nursing fellows, Chief Officers, infection prevention and control lead, ward (unit) managers. Ethical approval was sought from Coventry University and HRA, UK. A local approval was sought from various NHS Trust. Data transcription done with Microsoft teams and office suite. The data underwent a Reflexive thematic analysis in NVIVO.
Five main themes were identified. These include: (i) recognising anthropogenic climate impact (ii) developing sustainability instinct, (iii) sustainability hurdles, (iv) the nursing power and (v) the utopian vision. Participants recognised the existential threat of extreme earth’s vital signs as a result of human carbon footprint. They identified varied scope of green actions and the need for proper communication of climate change language. The existed barriers to sustainability could be addressed through the public trust in the nursing workforce.
This finding reported the capacity of nursing in knowledge improvement avenues. It calls for nurses’ involvement and nursing leadership in sustainability agenda. It emphasizes the need to incorporate sustainability into nursing placements and curricula.
The healthcare system, guided by the Hippocratic Oath, ‘Do good and Do no harm’ prioritizes the health and well-being of humanity (Wabnitz et al., 2020). Acknowledging the impacts of climate change, the healthcare sector is responding by both providing care to those affected and adopting green initiatives, such as renewable energy and digitalization, to reduce sector emissions (WHO, 2021). Nurses play a crucial role in sustainable healthcare, and this study explores the perspectives of UK healthcare leaders and nurses on sustainability practices related to climate change.
Using an exploratory qualitative design, 15 participants were interviewed individually. Participants included nurses, sustainability nursing fellows, Chief Officers, infection control leads, and ward managers. The study employed purposive, snowball, and non-probability quota sampling. Ethical approval was granted by Coventry University and HRA, UK, with local approval from various NHS Trusts. Data were transcribed via Microsoft Teams and analyzed using Reflexive thematic analysis in NVIVO.
Five main themes emerged: (i) recognising anthropogenic climate impact (ii) developing sustainability instinct, (iii) sustainability hurdles, (iv) the nursing power and (v) the utopian vision. Participants acknowledged the existential threat posed by human carbon footprints and highlighted the need for effective communication about climate change. They identified various green actions and emphasized the importance of public trust in the nursing workforce to overcome barriers to sustainability.
The findings underscore the potential of nursing in advancing sustainability knowledge and practice. It calls for greater involvement of nurses and nursing leadership in sustainability initiatives, and advocates for the inclusion of sustainability in nursing curricula and placements.
An exploratory qualitative design with 15 participants in a 1:1 interviews was utilised. The study employed purposive, snowball, and non-probability quota sampling. The study population were nurses, sustainability nursing fellows, Chief Officers, infection prevention and control lead, ward (unit) managers. Ethical approval was sought from Coventry University and HRA, UK. A local approval was sought from various NHS Trust. Data transcription done with Microsoft teams and office suite. The data underwent a Reflexive thematic analysis in NVIVO.
Five main themes were identified. These include: (i) recognising anthropogenic climate impact (ii) developing sustainability instinct, (iii) sustainability hurdles, (iv) the nursing power and (v) the utopian vision. Participants recognised the existential threat of extreme earth’s vital signs as a result of human carbon footprint. They identified varied scope of green actions and the need for proper communication of climate change language. The existed barriers to sustainability could be addressed through the public trust in the nursing workforce.
This finding reported the capacity of nursing in knowledge improvement avenues. It calls for nurses’ involvement and nursing leadership in sustainability agenda. It emphasizes the need to incorporate sustainability into nursing placements and curricula.
The healthcare system, guided by the Hippocratic Oath, ‘Do good and Do no harm’ prioritizes the health and well-being of humanity (Wabnitz et al., 2020). Acknowledging the impacts of climate change, the healthcare sector is responding by both providing care to those affected and adopting green initiatives, such as renewable energy and digitalization, to reduce sector emissions (WHO, 2021). Nurses play a crucial role in sustainable healthcare, and this study explores the perspectives of UK healthcare leaders and nurses on sustainability practices related to climate change.
Using an exploratory qualitative design, 15 participants were interviewed individually. Participants included nurses, sustainability nursing fellows, Chief Officers, infection control leads, and ward managers. The study employed purposive, snowball, and non-probability quota sampling. Ethical approval was granted by Coventry University and HRA, UK, with local approval from various NHS Trusts. Data were transcribed via Microsoft Teams and analyzed using Reflexive thematic analysis in NVIVO.
Five main themes emerged: (i) recognising anthropogenic climate impact (ii) developing sustainability instinct, (iii) sustainability hurdles, (iv) the nursing power and (v) the utopian vision. Participants acknowledged the existential threat posed by human carbon footprints and highlighted the need for effective communication about climate change. They identified various green actions and emphasized the importance of public trust in the nursing workforce to overcome barriers to sustainability.
The findings underscore the potential of nursing in advancing sustainability knowledge and practice. It calls for greater involvement of nurses and nursing leadership in sustainability initiatives, and advocates for the inclusion of sustainability in nursing curricula and placements.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 8 Sept 2025 |
| Event | Royal College of Nursing - University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom Duration: 8 Sept 2025 → 10 Sept 2025 |
Conference
| Conference | Royal College of Nursing |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Exeter |
| Period | 8/09/25 → 10/09/25 |
