The Effect of Climate Change on Nursing: Climate Health Emergencies Preparedness Amidst Extreme Weather Conditions

Climate change poses stringent challenges in world healthcare systems with extreme weather events like heatwaves, hurricanes, floods, as well as wildfires, accelerating public health crises. As front-line healthcare practitioners, nurses have vital roles in treating such crises, but the profession of nursing encompasses distinct challenges in climate-associated health effects. This in-depth review aims to discuss climate change impacts in nursing with emphasis on health crises due to extreme weather triggers. It discusses the health consequences of climate-induced events, nurse roles in changing times, response-limiting factors, preparedness, as well as training initiatives, as well as policy recommendations. Respiratory as well as cardiovascular disease increases, mental illness, as well as disease incidents of infectious kinds with augmented effects in vulnerable groups of individuals have primary healthcare implications. Resource lack, insufficient adequate training, as well as systematic disparities, serve as response-limiting factors in nursing. Climate-specific educational interventions at nursing school, disaster response training, as well as telehealth engagement, have potential in strengthening resilience. Competency in adaptive measures, nurse advocacy in sustainable healthcare operations, as well as multi-professional care provision, serve as essential nurse roles in treating such issues. Future considerations encompass climate change incorporation in courses at nursing school, healthcare facilities strengthening, as well as health inequality issues. There is a great need in this review for climate change-knowledge nurse preparation with competency as well as essential resources in reducing climate change healthcare implications with effective care in extreme weather events.