ORCID

Abstract

Human beings have evolved in direct relationship with the natural world, our health and survival inextricably connected to that of the planet. In recent years, an expanding evidence base has extolled the benefits of time in green and blue space for restoration from busy and stressful lives, yet limited literature explores the impact of time in nature from a nursing perspective. Through three study phases, this reflexive qualitative ethnographic study examines the complex, multifaceted and perpetually shifting contexts which influence nature connection and sustainability concepts in nursing, highlighting a shared vulnerability between people and planet. Through a critical interpretive synthesis of existing literature, multiple social and environmental inequalities are identified, with latent anthropocentric, gendered and colonialist thinking unmasked. A reflexive thematic analysis of student nurse and alumni experiences of nature immersion found that time in nature helped to enhance mood and cognitive function, reduce stress, support health behaviours, and foster feelings of connection with place and others through the sharing of story and experience. Participants identified that taking time out to care for themselves had helped them to feel better equipped to look after others, motivating them to act towards a more environmentally conscious future. Workload challenges often compromised their ability to attend to self-care, and participants perceived a lack of direction regarding the legitimacy of nature connection and sustainable practice within everyday experiences. Through autoethnographic consideration of my own experience of nature informed practice and education, and as a patient recovering from breast cancer, potential systemic harms are discussed. Together, these distinct and connected study phases highlight cultural barriers and risks arising from institutional and environmental dangers, but also emphasise transformative potential within nurse education. Rich insights shared through authentic and vulnerable human stories are presented in service to the development of radical and compassionate action from the nursing community. An ecologically oriented ontology and epistemology provides useful signposting towards the creation of safe, hopeful learning environments, supporting nurses to feel better equipped to contribute towards a sustainable, just and healthy future for self, others and the planet. This study identified a gap in the literature relating to nature connection and wellbeing within nurse education. It found that whilst nature immersion can provide valuable opportunities for wellbeing, students require direction and leadership within both educational and clinical settings, and from governing bodies to address potentially harmful cultural traditions affecting nurse and planetary wellbeing. These findings indicate the necessity of nature consciousness and sustainability within future nurse education.

Awarding Institution(s)

University of Plymouth

Supervisor

Andy Nichols, Diane Carpenter, Paul Warwick, Gary Hodge

Keywords

Nature, Nursing, Restoration, Stress, Sustainability, Green space, Blue space

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2025

Embargo Period

2025-07-31

Deposit Date

July 2025

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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