Creating a Generation of Sustainable Nurses: Sustainability Efforts in Nursing Education

Emerging nurse leaders are not adequately prepared to handle the pervasive health care problems and threats related to the changing environment. Nurse educators prepare nurses for an extensive variety of roles and responsibilities necessary to meet the health care needs of society. The Penn State College of Nursing implemented several initiatives to support environmental sustainability within the college and nursing education. The inclusion of environmental sustainability in nursing education is foundational if students are to become informed members and emerging leaders of a broader health care team, advocates for conscientious and ethical resource use, and contributors to improved patient outcomes.