Recorded presentation

Brenda Afzal, MS, RN¹, Debra L. Spunt, MS, RN², and Barbara Sattler, RN, DrPH¹. (1) Environmental Health Education Center, University of Maryland, School of Nursing, 655 West Lombard Street, Room 665, Baltimore, MD 21201-1579, (410) 706-1778, Afzal@son.umaryland.edu, (2) Information Technology and Learning, University of Maryland, School of Nursing, 655 West Lombard Street, Room 285, Baltimore, MD 21201

Although not typically seen as contributing to the health care waste stream, schools of nursing house many environmental hazards. Most faculty, students, and staff are unaware of the hazards that may be in their midst or what can be done to reduce them. The University of Maryland School of Nursing has taken the first step in a dramatic move to make the Clinical Simulation Laboratories and the entire School of Nursing Complex as environmentally healthy and safe as possible in its Green School of Nursing Project. The project seeks to create an incubator within schools of nursing in which nursing students will learn their environmental stewardship skills and knowledge before entering the health care sector as professionals. The purpose of this presentation is to report on a 12-step model program developed by the University “Green Team” which calls for the development of a virtual “guidebook” on 12 priority issues. The guidebook will offer assessment tools and checklists, “how-to” recommendations, educational materials, and a list of helpful resources.

Learning Objectives: