Environmental Sustainability Profile of Intensive Care Nurses in Türkiye: A Cross‐Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Intensive care units contribute significantly to healthcare's environmental footprint. While nurses are pivotal in implementing sustainable practices, limited evidence exists regarding their environmental sustainability profile in intensive care settings. AIM: To assess the environmental sustainability profile of intensive care nurses in Türkiye and identify factors associated with sustainable practices. STUDY DESIGN: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted with intensive care nurses across Türkiye between November 2025 and January 2026. Data were collected via an online survey comprising a sociodemographic questionnaire and a 31-item author-developed Environmental Sustainability Profile Survey (five content areas; Cronbach's α = 0.926). Data were analysed using Spearman's rank correlation for bivariate associations, the Mann-Whitney U test for two-group comparisons and the Kruskal-Wallis H test (with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons) for comparisons across three or more groups. RESULTS: The mean environmental sustainability score was 125.32 ± 16.59 (mean item score = 4.04 on a 5-point Likert-type scale), indicating a high sustainability profile based on the interpretive framework adopted for this study. While 80.2% acknowledged responsibility for environmental impact, 63.5% were uncertain about their knowledge to guide sustainable practice, and 84% lacked formal training. Only 6.2% had heard of 'green ICU' concepts. Significantly higher scores were observed among female nurses, postgraduate-trained nurses, hospital employees, neonatal ICU nurses, day shift workers, disaster-region workers and those with prior sustainability training. CONCLUSIONS: Turkish ICU nurses demonstrate a high environmental sustainability profile but substantial knowledge gaps. Structured education programmes, institutional support and context-specific interventions are urgently needed. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Developing structured sustainability education programmes, integrating environmental competencies into ICU training curricula and strengthening institutional support mechanisms may enhance environmentally responsible practice without compromising patient care.