Championing a move from sustainability to Planetary Health in nursing curriculum

Abstract

In this paper, we review the progress on developing sustainability-related content in the Bachelor of Nursing curriculum in Aotearoa New Zealand and engage with Planetary Health. Sustainability in nurse education is explored and the concept of sustainability-practising graduates is promoted. The issueWe have seen ambivalence towards sustainability persisting amongst nurse educators and students, and sustainability-related content discarded. Despite this, we continue to recognise that sustainability is closely related to climate change which is the greatest threat to planetary, human, and animal health and as such is an essential component of nurse education and practice. Never has there been a timelier reminder of nurses' responsibility to recognise we are ideally placed to contribute to, and help lead, the health response to climate change and champion sustainability. A systems-thinking approachThis response includes a systems-thinking approach to understanding climate change and the impact on health, nursing's responsibility to address climate change, promote health, and respond to health needs. As we revise our current Bachelor of Nursing curriculum, it is timely to review how our sustainability content and thinking has progressed since our previous review in 2017. We are mindful of the need to continue championing this topic, ensuring it is situated at the forefront of nurse education. We propose that a gradual and purposeful shift towards a Planetary Health focus will help to counter the sustainability fatigue and ambivalence we have noted amongst our colleagues and students, ensuring our revised Bachelor of Nursing curriculum is future proofed.