We are not in the same boat: a qualitative exploration of Turkish emergency department nurses' climate-related health experiences.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores Turkish emergency nurses' experiences with climate-related health issues. Guided by Nightingale's Environmental Theory, it highlights nurses' frontline roles in recognising and managing environmental factors that influence patient outcomes during climate-related crises, with implications for public health systems and nursing policy.

METHODS

This research is a qualitative descriptive study using reflexive thematic analysis. Data were collected from 23 emergency department nurses using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide developed in consultation with experts. Thematic analysis was carried out based on Braun and Clarke's reflexive approach.

RESULTS

Most participants were women with 5 years or more of emergency department experience. The majority reported no formal training on climate change. Three main themes were developed: (1) Defining the storm - nurses described climate change as a disruption of natural patterns, observing increases in heat-related illnesses, respiratory exacerbations and vector-borne diseases; (2) Navigating the storm - nurses managed crises through symptomatic care and self-acquired knowledge in the absence of formal protocols or training and (3) We are not in the same boat - nurses identified resource shortages, socio-economic disparities and infrastructural vulnerabilities that disproportionately affected low-income patients.

CONCLUSION

Emergency nurses are increasingly confronted with climate-related health challenges, yet lack adequate training and institutional support. These findings underscore the need for national-level reforms in nursing curricula, institutional preparedness and public health policy to strengthen climate resilience in emergency healthcare.