Can Care Continue While Nature is Depleted? A Qualitative Study on Ecological Footprint Awareness and Nursing Practices

AIMS: This study aimed to explore nurses' ecological footprint awareness and how this awareness is reflected in their professional practices. BACKGROUND: Healthcare services contribute significantly to environmental degradation through intensive energy consumption, the use of disposable materials, and large-scale waste production. As the largest professional group within healthcare systems, nurses play a critical role in promoting environmentally sustainable practices. Understanding nurses' perceptions and experiences related to ecological footprint awareness is essential for developing sustainable healthcare practices and policies. DESIGN: A qualitative phenomenological study. METHODS: The study included 18 nurses working in different hospitals located in several cities in the eastern region of Turkey. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis focused on identifying patterns of meaning in nurses' experiences regarding ecological footprint awareness and environmental sustainability in clinical practice. RESULTS: Although many participants demonstrated awareness of ecological footprint issues, the translation of this awareness into environmentally sustainable practices remained limited. The analysis identified four main themes: "Sustaining Care in the Face of a Depleting Nature", "Awareness Exists, Implementation is Limited", "The Quest for Sustainable Nursing" and "Ethical and Emotional Burden of the Ecological Footprint". CONCLUSIONS: Nurses experience environmental sustainability as both a professional and ethical concern embedded within daily care practices. However, the translation of environmental awareness into sustainable clinical practices is often constrained by structural and organizational factors. Strengthening institutional policies, leadership support, and environmental education in nursing is essential to promote sustainable healthcare practices.