The Role of the Professional Nursing Association in Creating A Culture of Environmental Responsibility H2E Teleconference November 14, 2003 Kathryn V. Hall, RN, MS Executive Director, Maryland Nurses Association

Responsibilites  Nurses do have a responsibility in preventing pollution and  Nursing Associations have a responsibility to provide leadership and education to nurses to facilitate their involvement

Education is key  Nurses are not environmentalists  Nurses are great at processing information and applying principles when they have information and data  Nursing Associations are a natural for providing education

Strategic Planning  Nursing Association’s must build an environmental focus into their strategic plans Having the Board of Directors engaged is critical

Association Committees  Strategically, an environmental focus should span across all Association committees Practice and Education Workplace Advocacy Legislative

Activities need to be focused on providing nurses with the tools and information they need to affect change within their employment setting

Possible Association Activities  Publish a regular column in the Association newsletter or magazine  Develop position papers  Host environmental presentations at annual or special meetings  Join environmentally responsible coalitions

Nurses are  Providers at risk for environmental injury  Advocates for safe patient care  Consumers and  Activists

Leadership  Professional Nursing Associations must assume a leadership role to equip nurses with the information and tools to improve the health care environment