Integrating nature into healthcare to enhance the health and well-being of staff and patients.

Abstract

There is a wealth of evidence about the benefits of accessing nature for both healthcare staff and patients. Nurse leaders occupy a critical position within health systems, shaping workplace culture, influencing organisational priorities and translating strategic goals into front-line practice. Therefore, they have an important role in embedding nature within healthcare as part of broader workforce well-being, sustainability and quality improvement strategies. This article presents the evidence on the measurable and wide-ranging benefits of contact with nature for human health that underpins nature-based well-being interventions. The article also describes some of the ways nurse leaders can integrate nature within healthcare settings, provides examples of nature-based initiatives in healthcare and makes some recommendations for leadership practice.