With record-setting temperature increases, emergency nurses must rapidly recognize and manage life-threatening heat illnesses such as heatstroke. Reaching the core temperature cooling target of 39 °C (102.2 °F) within 30 minutes of heatstroke recognition is critical and directly affects morbidity and mortality. Sequelae of heatstroke may include neurologic and vital organ damage, particularly in cases of delayed cooling. This article summarizes evidence-based strategies and nursing considerations for heatstroke, including recommendations for total body immersion without the need for specialized equipment. Emergency nurses should work collaboratively to ensure that up-to-date protocols are in place and engage in training to identify and treat individuals with heatstroke rapidly.

BACKGROUND:RNs are integral to achieving the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Professional nursing organizations can play a significant role in educating and preparing nurses to work more effectively toward achieving the SDGs. While there is much literature that speaks to the importance of nurses engaging in these goals, there is a lack of research that has explored nurses' perceptions of the role of professional nursing organizations in promoting SDG-related knowledge and engagement. Since 2012, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has been formally accredited as a nongovernmental organization with special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. As such, Sigma is committed to educating RNs about the SDGs and engaging them in working to advance the goals. PURPOSE:This study examined RNs' learning preferences regarding the SDGs, and their perceptions of their professional nursing organization's engagement in advancing these goals, its recognition of nursing's contributions to these goals, and its impact on increasing nurses' knowledge of these goals. METHODS:This descriptive cross-sectional study used convenience and snowball sampling methods to recruit participants from multiple countries. Data were collected via an anonymous online survey. Descriptive and nonparametric statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS:The majority (84%) of Sigma members enrolled in this study believed Sigma should be actively engaged in advancing the SDGs. Forty-eight percent were aware of Sigma's engagement and 44% reported that Sigma had increased their knowledge of the SDGs. When comparing participants who were Sigma members to those who were not, Sigma members had significantly higher levels of perceived knowledge of the SDGs and higher levels of belief that nurses are integral to SDG advancement. There were no significant between-group differences regarding nurses' desire to know more about the goals, what nurses are doing to advance them, and how to take action themselves. Participants' top 3 preferred means of learning about the SDGs were emailed and online newsletters (28.8%), webinars and online presentations (24.3%), and internet websites (14.9%). CONCLUSIONS:The results of this study underscore the importance of professional nursing organizations' efforts to increase nurses' engagement with the SDGs and can be used in developing multilevel strategies to further educate nurses about the SDGs.

As a retired Army nurse and veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, I appreciated “Military Environmental Exposures” (Environment and Health, November 2023). I joined the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry mentioned in the article to help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs better understand the negative health effects of burn pits and provide better care to veterans. To meet the unique health care needs of veterans, the author mentions that providers should start by asking all patients if they've ever served in the military, but notes that most providers do not ask this simple question. I would like to suggest a resource provided by the American Academy of Nursing, “Have You Ever Served in the Military?” to help facilitate obtaining a better military medical history.1 This website offers intake questions and “Have You Ever Served?” pocket cards and posters that are available for free and can be printed as a convenient reference tool for providers. I live in an area where over 16% of the population are military veterans. At the university where I teach, we include veteran health care in our curriculum. We printed the pocket cards to share with our students to better prepare the future health care workforce to address specific military health care needs. Janice Hawkins, PhD, RN, CNS, FAAN Virginia Beach, VA

BACKGROUND:Nurses have a critical role to play in achieving the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While Goal 3 (good health and well-being) is of particular importance to nursing, every SDG contributes to the advancement of universal health and well-being. Yet many nurses are unfamiliar with the SDGs and how they relate to everyday nursing practices. PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to examine RNs' knowledge of and attitudes toward the SDGs. METHODS:This study used a descriptive correlational cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of RNs from multiple countries completed an anonymous online survey that included eight demographic items and 25 items exploring participants' knowledge of and attitudes toward the SDGs. Descriptive, parametric, and nonparametric statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS:The majority of nurses in this study perceived themselves as lacking knowledge of the SDGs. Most wanted to know more, including how they could take action to help achieve the goals. Overall, participants agreed that the SDGs are relevant to nursing practice and that nurses are integral to their advancement. Participants who were younger than age 50, those living in the United States, and those who practiced primarily in a clinical or community setting were more likely than others to self-report lower SDG knowledge scores. CONCLUSIONS:The study findings contribute to our collective understanding of RNs' knowledge and attitudes regarding the SDGs. They can assist nurse educators and leaders worldwide in developing targeted strategies to better inform nurses and prepare them for actions that will advance these goals. Increasing nurses' knowledge of the SDGs, especially as these goals relate to daily clinical practice, may lead to greater nursing engagement and impact.

BACKGROUND:Because climate change negatively impacts human health, nurses need skills to mitigate climate change and nurse educators need effective educational strategies to teach climate change content in undergraduate nursing programs. To address this need, we embedded an energy efficiency treasure hunt and Climate for Health Ambassador Training into our prelicensure nursing curricula.PURPOSE:To evaluate the impact of these educational activities on self-reported knowledge, confidence, and intent to engage in climate action.METHODS:A quasi-experimental one-group posttest design examined the effectiveness of 2 educational interventions on increasing knowledge, confidence, and intent to engage in climate action. A convenience sample of prelicensure nursing students completed 2 Likert scale surveys (n = 57, n = 60), with additional open-ended questions.RESULTS:Participants reported increased awareness, knowledge, and intent to act on personal and professional climate-related issues.CONCLUSION:Our energy efficiency treasure hunt and Climate for Health Ambassador Training were effective educational strategies.

Background and Purpose: Nursing student retention is essential to meet workforce demands. Jeffreys' Nursing Student Retention Student Perception Appraisal-Revised (SPA-R1) has been used extensively to understand factors that impact retention. Psychometric testing of the SPA-R1 contributes to greater confidence in the instrument's reliability and validity. Methods: Item response theory and specifically, the single parameter polytomous Rasch model was used as a framework for fit statistic testing and rating scale diagnostics of the SPA-R1. This was a secondary analysis of a convenience sample of undergraduate prelicensure nursing students. The setting for the previous study was virtual, and the study period was 2022. Results: The model item characteristic curves for the 27 items of the SPA-R1 have similar shapes and are clustered in proximity. Overall, there are three clusters of items evident in the Rasch standardized residual contrast. The Rasch scale diagnostics indicated that the scale appropriately monotonically increases. However, there is a greater than 5 logit distance between does not apply and severely restricts, between severely restricts and moderately restricts, and between does not restrict or support and moderately supports. These large threshold distances indicate that additional steps in the scale may be warranted. The items cover the mid-range of the amount of retention perceptions; however, there are no items that represent the highest magnitude of the perceived amount of influence on retention. Conclusions: This study contributes further evidence to support the validity and reliability of the SPA-R1. We recommend adding steps to the scale, removing the does not apply response option, and considering scoring by three domains or clusters.

ABSTRACT:Because the demands of nursing education can impact the physical and mental health of nursing students, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's revised Essentials require inclusion of self-care and resilience education in nursing curricula. This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a self-care module in a new online undergraduate course. Using the REST mnemonic (relationships, exercise, soul, and transformative thinking), students developed personalized self-care plans for the semester. End-of-course evaluations revealed an increase in self-care activities. The most used activities were exercise, humor, intentional rest, and healthy eating.

This MCN special topics series focuses on climate change and maternal child health. Three articles describe the impact of climate change on women's reproductive and pregnancy outcomes, children's respiratory health, and eco-anxiety in children. We hope these articles provide useful strategies for practice and inspire you to engage in advocacy efforts to mitigate climate change for the health of our patients and our planet.

Background: Because climate change negatively impacts human health, nurses need skills to mitigate climate change and nurse educators need effective educational strategies to teach climate change content in undergraduate nursing programs. To address this need, we embedded an energy efficiency treasure hunt and Climate for Health Ambassador Training into our prelicensure nursing curricula. Purpose: To evaluate the impact of these educational activities on self-reported knowledge, confidence, and intent to engage in climate action. Methods: A quasi-experimental one-group posttest design examined the effectiveness of 2 educational interventions on increasing knowledge, confidence, and intent to engage in climate action. A convenience sample of prelicensure nursing students completed 2 Likert scale surveys (n = 57, n = 60), with additional open-ended questions. Results: Participants reported increased awareness, knowledge, and intent to act on personal and professional climate-related issues. Conclusion: Our energy efficiency treasure hunt and Climate for Health Ambassador Training were effective educational strategies.

BackgroundHealthcare professionals' knowledge of safe use of opioids for chronic pain management is critical in preventing opioid abuse and overdose. Undergraduate curricula of health professional schools, including undergraduate nursing programs, need to improve and adopt a comprehensive educational plan regarding this issue.MethodThis study implemented and assessed an educational module on undergraduate nursing students' knowledge and attitudes regarding prescription opioids.ResultsThe educational module improved nursing students' knowledge and attitudes. Students reflected positively on the module.ConclusionUndergraduate nursing students benefited from the educational module on prescription opioids and preferred to include a similar module in their undergraduate curricula.

Climate change not only negatively impacts planetary health but also is a significant threat to human health. Ironically, health care systems emit almost 5% of the world's greenhouse gasses that contribute to the harmful effects. Because nurses are the largest group of health care professionals working across multiple settings, we are well positioned to take action to mitigate climate change within our organizations. In this article, the authors share strategies from A-Z that save money and lower the carbon footprints of health care institutions.

BACKGROUND:RNs practicing in primary care (PC) increase access to health care and contribute to better patient outcomes and cost savings, yet undergraduate nursing education traditionally focuses on disease-oriented care. This article describes a curricular track for infusing PC prelicensure programs.METHOD:PC content is threaded across four semesters with targeted assignments and clinical experiences. Providing clinical immersion experiences with practicing RNs as preceptors in community and PC settings is a key component of this initiative.RESULTS:Student feedback has been favorable. Students stated they gained insight to the role of RNs in PC through class assignments and clinical rotations. Graduating seniors were offered employment in PC settings where they completed their practicum clinical rotations.CONCLUSION:The PC track contributes to building a nursing workforce to meet health care demands and promote health equity. Nurse educators interested in infusing PC content throughout the curriculum can adapt this model for all student populations. [J Nurs Educ. 2023;62(3):171-174.].

Retaining nursing students in courses is key to increasing the number of new nurses. This study examined factors associated with nursing course or program withdrawal among students with and without prior mili-tary experience. The purpose of this study was to uncover differences between groups of students who with-drew compared to those who did not. A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire surveyed current or recent nursing students (n = 420) using the Educational Requirement Subscale and the Student Withdrawal Questionnaire from Jeffreys' toolkit. Uncovering differences between groups of students who did and did not withdraw from nursing courses or programs shows opportunities for nurse educators to improve strategies for student retention. Students with and without prior military experience reported sta-tistically similar confidence levels, withdrawal rates, and reasons for withdrawal. There was a positive rela-tionship between higher confidence levels and rates of withdrawal. Factors with the strongest influence for withdrawal were academic difficulties (mean = 2.56), family responsibilities (mean = 2.59) and family crisis (mean= 2.62). First generation students reported the greatest level of course withdrawals. Participation in nursing clubs and faculty advisement and helpfulness were most helpful to participants who reported past withdrawal. Data from this study can guide nurse educators to create greater program support and opportu-nity for peer support for students experiencing factors associated with course withdrawal. (c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Hawkins, Janice PhD, RN, CNS-BC; Mahoney, Ingrid MSN, FNP-C; Martin, Jamela PhD, RN; Tremblay, Beth MSN, RN; Wiles, Lynn PhD, RN CEN; Higgins, Karen DNP, FNP-BC Author Information

Radiology departments are major consumers of hospital energy use. Overall, hospitals in the United States are responsible for a significant percent of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute directly contribute to climate change. The negative impact of climate change on human health is well documented. A top ten list of strategies for reducing energy use in the radiology department can assist nurses in reducing the carbon footprints of their facilities.