Sustainable Health Care in School of Nursing Educational Programs
At the School of Nursing, sustainability is deeply ingrained into the curriculum and ethos of nursing education. Recognizing Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, emphasis on sanitation, evidence-based practice, and advocacy for health reform, the school integrates sustainable principles into every aspect of its nursing program.
Nursing’s leadership in sustainability stems from its commitment to holistic care, advocacy for health and environmental justice, innovation in sustainable healthcare practices, education and awareness building, and collaborative efforts to promote a healthier, more sustainable future for all. This commitment at the School of Nursing is shown through the inclusion of competencies focused on understanding the effects of climate change on the environment and populations within the AACN Essentials.
AACN competencies at the Entry to Professional Practice level and Advanced Nursing Practice level addressing the environment are being met:
3.6.b. Understand the impact of climate change on environmental and population health, and
2.2.i. Apply individualized information, such as genetic/genomic, pharmacogenetic, and environmental exposure information in the delivery of personalized health care.
Additionally, the School of Nursing’s commitment aligns with the vision statement of the National League of Nursing regarding climate change and its implications for health.
Education
Nursing students can focus on sustainable and environmental health care through required undergraduate courses. For example, in NUR 1128 – Community Health Nursing, which includes health promotion and disease prevention within groups; community assessment and intervention; environmental hazards; and factors influencing the delivery of and access to community health services (social justice and environmental justice issues). Additionally, the health care needs of selected at-risk populations are examined.
At the graduate level, NUR 2010 – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Culturally Diverse Populations focuses on individual and community health promotion assessments, screenings, and interventions in diverse populations. Course topics focus on factors related to health care disparities among vulnerable populations.