Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment
Association d'infirmieres et infirmiers pour l'environnement
The CANE/AIIE Executive Board of Directors know that research and education about environmental health is vital to everyone across the nation. We believe that nurses should be kept up to date about current environmental research and education events, documents, presentations and initiatives. To that end, we present current key research findings and educational announcements of interest to nurses.
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If you are a CANE/AIIE member and are aware of environmental health research findings or education events or opportunities that you think should be featured on this page, email your suggestion by filling out our "Contact Us" form, accessible in the top navigation bar.
Nurse Educators' Perceptions of Ecoliteracy in Undergraduate Nursing Programs |
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by Jennifer L. Morin RN MN, CAE |
![]() ABSTRACT OF MASTERS THESIS, UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBAKnowledge about the relationship between human health and the environment is continuously expanding. Nurses are well positioned to address environmental and ecological health concerns related to human health. Yet, there is evidence that nurses' lack of environmental health training is a barrier to incorporating environmental health concepts into practice. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative research study was to explore and describe nurse educators' perceptions of ecoliteracy in undergraduate nursing programs within the province of Manitoba. Semi-structured telephone interviews were utilized to collect data from 13 nurse educators in three regions of Manitoba. Thematic content analysis identified seven themes. A key finding is that, while nurse educators feel that ecoliteracy is important for nurses at the undergraduate level, there are many challenges to achieving ecoliteracy within undergraduate nursing programs in Manitoba. Potential strategies for overcoming these barriers and recommendations for increasing ecoliteracy among nurse educators are identified.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONJennifer presented a poster of this work at the 2019 EECOM conference in May 2019 Abstract:Nurses are in a position to address environmental health concerns related to human health, and as a result, may be required to incorporate environmental health concepts into practice. Yet, there is evidence that nurses' lack of environmental health training is a barrier to incorporating environmental health concepts into practice. The purpose of this study was to explore nurse educators' perceptions of ecoliteracy in undergraduate nursing programs. To address the barriers that would support an ecoliterate nursing workforce, innovation in undergraduate nursing education as well as continuing education is required. Description:This poster presentation will explore: Nurses educators' understanding of the concept of ecoliteracy, and its relevance to nursing practice; nurse educators' perceptions about how ecoliteracy concepts are delivered and evaluated in undergraduate nursing programs; nurse educators' perceptions about barriers and facilitators to the inclusion of content which supports ecoliteracy in undergraduate nursing curricula. (Method) Descriptive qualitative research was used to explore the phenomenon of ecoliteracy within undergraduate nursing programs. Three levels of purposeful sampling were utilized to recruit 13 nurse educators in three regions of Manitoba. Data was collected using semi-structured, open-ended questions using telephone interviews. (Results) Data analysis was completed using thematic content analysis. Several themes were identified: importance of, and support for, ecoliteracy in undergraduate nursing programs (including the role of personal values); forms of content delivery supportive of ecoliteracy/ evaluation; future considerations for ecoliteracy content; barriers to inclusion of content supportive of ecoliteracy in the curriculum; and strategies to address these barriers. A key finding is that, while nurse educators feel that ecoliteracy is important for nurses at the undergraduate level, there are many challenges to achieving ecoliteracy within undergraduate nursing programs in Manitoba. A key finding is that, while nurse educators feel that ecoliteracy is important for nurses at the undergraduate level, there are many barriers to achieving an ecoliterate workforce. Recommendations for future practice include policy and practice change. |
Empowering Canadian Nursing's Voice in Environmental Health |
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by June Kaminski, RN, MSN, PhD(c) and Fiona Hanley, RN, BScN, MSc |
Solution Lab presented at Canadian Nurses Association Biennium, Saint Johns, NB on June 21, 2016.Currently, many ecological issues demand societal attention, including climate change, food safety, and exposure to toxic contaminants and pollutants. Critical issues that influence the health of our natural environment impact all of the social determinants of health in many ways.
The Canadian Nurses for Health and the Environment (CNHE) is designing environmental competencies and curriculum to share with nurses and educators. We will introduce this work to encourage engagement and explore ways that nursing can collaborate with others to support environmental health. This discussion will include an overview of the innovative technological tools being developed by CNHE for teaching environmental health and developing ecoliteracy in nursing education and practice. Authors encouraged nurses to access these educational resources to inform primary health care practice through environmental health knowledge and competencies. The Canadian Nurses for Health and the Environment - Infirmieres et Infirmiers pour la Sante et l'Environnement (CNHE/IISE) is currently preparing curriculum resources and learning activities that can be used by schools of nursing to integrate environmental and ecoliteracy content and theory into nursing curriculum. Nurses can also use these resources to develop their personal ecoliteracy. As part of this process, we are currently engaged in the following preparatory work
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Preparing Health Care Facilities in Canada for Climate Change |
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from The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care |
Health care facilities in Canada are vulnerable to climate change. Climate-related hazards are expected to create risks that can disrupt health care facility services and delivery. Extreme weather events (e.g. storms, floods, wildfires, extreme temperature events) can create emergencies by damaging infrastructure, compromising access to critical resources (e.g. food and water) and safety of patients, visitors and staff. Climate change increases risks of some infectious diseases (vector-, water- and food-borne, new and emerging) and worsens air quality. Climate-related hazards can have significant implications for demand on health care facility services. |
The Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care |
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Keeping Up with Green initiatives in Health Care |
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Kids exposed to mercury or lead more likely to have ADHD symptoms, Canadian study finds |
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From Environmental News |
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U of A study tests the air quality in Edmonton homes |
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By Carmen Leibel |
The U of A School of Public Health has been asked by Health Canada to help with a Residential Indoor Air Quality Study. Very simply, a study like this gives us answers about what are causes of poor air quality and provides us insights about what we can do to maintain good indoor air quality, said Kindzierski. |
Toxins in the Athabasca River |
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Dr. David Schindler |
“This study counters industry and government claims that the pollutants are from natural seepage of bitumen" said Schindler. Schindler and the research team analyzed 13 elements in river water and snow pack along the Athabasca and its delta. The pollutants found include mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium. The researchers say the releases are a clear violation of the federal fisheries act and provincial guidelines for protection of aquatic life. Schindler says some of the metals interact with organic pollutants, making them more toxic. The combined impact of the toxins on the river is not fully understood. |
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