Becoming and being an environmentally 'woke' nurse: A phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of nurses view environmental activism as part of their role. No studies have explored the reasons. AIM: This study aimed to identify what awakened and shaped US and UK nurses' environmental activism. DESIGN: A Gadamerian hermaneutic phenomenological study. METHODS: Forty nurses were recruited in 2017 using purposive sampling (USA n = 23, UK n = 17). Four focus groups were followed by individual interviews. Iterative, fully immersive phenomenological analysis was conducted with corroboration of themes and a final "shared horizon." FINDINGS: Participants described "lightbulb" events whereby they recognized environmental threats to people and the planet. Their nursing-centered values of social justice, generational fairness, and alleviating suffering underpinned a shared belief in their ability to help mitigate those threats. They believed it was their duty as nurses to take action on behalf of individuals, communities, and the planet. DISCUSSION: The nursing skill set of these nurses makes for effective leadership and environmental activism. Environmentally "woke" nurses have the skills to create solutions and systems approaches that increase sustainability, improve health and make a difference to people's lives, now and for future generations.