Green Intentions and Advocacy in Health Care Settings: Boosting Nurses' Sustainability Consciousness.

AIM: To boost nurses' sustainability consciousness and assess how that shapes their green Behavioral intentions and advocacy behaviors in their healthcare settings.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental research design

METHODS

This study was conducted at Sohag University Hospitals, Sohag, Egypt. A total of 123 nurses were voluntarily recruited to participate. Data were collected using three instruments: the Sustainability Consciousness Scale, the Green Behavioral Intention Scale, and the Green Advocacy Scale. The study was conducted over a four-month period from April to July 2024 and a sustainability consciousness education program provide for the participants.The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, employing descriptive statistics, independent and paired t-tests, as well as the PROCESS macro technique.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was found between the intervention and control groups in the mean scores of sustainability consciousness (103.76 ± 21.81 vs. 71.63 ± 22.31), green advocacy (11.50 ± 2.06 vs. 8.16 ± 2.37), and green behavioral intention (12.32 ± 2.37 vs. 7.08 ± 2.67), with all differences being highly significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The educational program for nurses was effective in increasing participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sustainability consciousness. The program also positively influenced key outcomes, including green behavioral intention and green advocacy. Green behavioral intention among nurses was found to play a strong mediating role in the relationship between sustainability consciousness and green advocacy. Accordingly, it is recommended that continuous staff development programs focusing on climate change and sustainability be implemented for all nurses to empower them to act as green advocates for patients and the wider community.

IMPLICATIONS: The future of the nursing profession depends on building well-educated and environmentally responsible nurses who are capable of addressing the risks associated with climate change. This can be achieved through continuous education for both experienced and newly graduated nurses to ensure they possess adequate knowledge, skills, and behaviors that support healthcare organizations in promoting and sustaining a green environment.