​​​In our current climate crisis, we understand that the health of our planet impacts human health. The health care industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gases, which have health implications for our patients at BC Cancer, and the population at large. At BC Cancer, we recognize it's our responsibility to evaluate our own contributions to this crisis, and act on innovative and sustainable solutions to tackle this problem.

Nurses are experts in their clinical areas, they know the issues and the solutions facing patients and staff, and are well-positioned to be advocates for human and planetary health. The Planetary Health Nursing Internship Program was created as a full-time, 12-week position to action a sustainable project in your clinical setting. All direct-care nurses at each regional BC Cancer centre are eligible to apply, with manager approval. There is one internship spot available at each regional centre per cohort. See infographic below for dates.
 

Over 12 weeks, you will:

  1. Receive education in planetary health, and training in quality improvement and knowledge translation.
  2. Plan a planetary health initiative with mentorship and resource support, from the Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation team at BC Cancer.
  3. Implement, evaluate, report, and share your project, and connect with colleagues who are interested in making healthcare more sustainable.

Actionable projects that apply to your clinical setting may be efforts to reduce single-use plastics, improve waste management and segregation, or optimize medical supply use to decrease waste. 

Examples of projects:

  • Bring Your Own Bag campaign, to decrease patient belonging plastic bag usage.
  • Improve recycling in your department – is there soft plastics and cardboard recycling in your clinical area?
  • Identify mismatch of medical supply use – do we open entire dressing trays when we just need a sterile drape?

Simple changes can make a big difference, and we want to hear your ideas!

​How can I participate?

To apply to Cohort # 3:

  1. ​​Complete and submit the Expression of Interest Form to research.kt@bccancer.bc.ca  by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 16.

Want to learn more?

​Check out a recently published story on the achievements of Planetary Health Nursing Internship Program on BC Cancer Website

​Testimonials from our Cohort 1 Nurse Interns:

Surya Vara (BCCA-Vancouver) - "I feel grateful for this nursing internship as it is teaching me how to address and contribute in a meaningful way to planetary health by way of implementing a change project. This change project may be small but I feel that it will make a difference as any action taken makes a difference. Through a thoughtfully created program of learnings, I see more clearly that the climate crisis is a health crisis and it is now."

Paulina Batke (BCCA-Abbotsford) - "I have been so lucky to be a part of this internship. It has been so eye opening to make the strong connection between planetary health and human health, and what we as nurses can do to make an impact. The support and mentorship throughout this process has given me so much confidence in my ability to make a change."

Nisha Mattu (BCCA-Surrey) - “The Planetary Health Nursing Internship has been a great experience. I learned so much and how I (1 person) can make a difference. Having a team to talk to and help during the challenges of implementing a project has been very supportive."

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