Comparing undergraduate student nurses understanding of sustainability in two countries: a mixed method study

Aim: to explore sustainability education in nursing students within two countries

Design: Mixed methods including a sustainability survey and focus groups.

Methods: First year undergraduate nursing students were invited to participate from two countries. 69 students from China and 32 students from England agreed to take part. Data were collected between December 2015 and February 2016.

Students completed the Sustainability Attitudes in Nursing Survey (SANS_2) and a purposeful sample were invited to participate in focus groups in each country.
Results: All students had a positive attitude towards sustainability. However, for these four items, Climate change is an important issue for nursing, Issues about climate change should be included in the nursing curriculum, Sustainability is an important issue for nursing, and Sustainability should be included in the nursing curriculum, the results indicated that Chinese nursing students rate them significantly higher in importance than English students.

The qualitative data identified four themes: ‘Student nurses’ conceptual understanding of sustainability is focused mostly on environmental aspects and clinical waste management’; ‘Promoting sustainability within nursing education: teaching and learning methods’; ‘Promoting sustainability within nursing education: evaluating and certifying learning’; and ‘Factors to consider when introducing sustainability to nursing education’. The paper outlines the similarities and differences between Chinese and English nursing students’ perceptions.

Conclusion: Sustainability in nurse education has similar concerns across countries.

Impact: Sustainability is an important issue for student nurses but strategies that promote incorporation of sustainability issues within nursing curricula are needed.