Sophie Walker, a Nursing student at RRC Polytech has taken initiative on climate action awareness through the creation of a Climate-Resilient Nursing Workshop and contribution to a comprehensive Planetary Health in Nursing library guide.
Sophie was one of five recipients of the Wawanesa Climate Champions: Youth Innovation Grant in 2024. The grants are available for students and recent graduates of Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) partner institutions and award youth $30,000 to launch or enhance a climate adaptation or climate mitigation project.
For the past year Sophie has been working closely with her RRC Polytech instructors Jennifer Morin and Deborah Gural to design and launch a Climate-Resilient Nursing Workshop aimed at educating nursing students on the connection between planetary health and nursing practices.
"This research has the potential to impact the future careers of nurses by preparing them to become strong advocates for planetary health. Climate change poses significant challenges to public health, and it is essential that nurses are equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond to these challenges effectively," she said. "By teaching nursing students about the health impacts of climate change and how they can be active agents of change in the healthcare system, we hope to cultivate a new generation of nurses who are not only knowledgeable about climate-related health issues but also motivated to take action."
The workshop featured six guest speakers who focused their discussions on planetary health's relevance to nursing, the health impacts of climate change, sustainable healthcare practices, climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in healthcare settings, energy conservation, sustainable waste management, public health preparedness, and advocating for policy change to address climate-related health challenges.
Sophie and her instructors also contributed to the development of a comprehensive Planetary Health in Nursing Library Guide. This resource can be used as a tool for both students and instructors to support future curriculum development related to climate-resilient practices in nursing. These materials aim to help nursing students understand how to integrate sustainability into their practice and empower them to take leadership roles in climate action initiatives as they transition into professional nursing roles.
They are now working on having the Planetary Health Report Card implemented within RRC Polytech's Nursing program. This would be a key step in creating a structured framework to track and report on the environmental and sustainability practices in nursing education, and could also be applied to other programs.
"Overall, this project has helped me realize the crucial role that healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, can play in addressing climate change, and it has empowered me to take more proactive steps in making a positive environmental impact within my own practice," said Sophie. "One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been witnessing the growing enthusiasm among nursing students for the integration of climate change and sustainability into their education and future careers."
$30,000 Wawanesa Insurance Grants Available For Climate Action Changemakers
Current RRC Polytech students and recent graduates have the opportunity to shape the future by taking action on climate change and climate mitigation.
Canada needs innovative solutions now more than ever. Interested students and recent graduates should not miss out on this opportunity to be a Climate Champion and create lasting change.
Apply for the Youth Innovation Grant today for your chance to be part of a more sustainable future.
