Abstract
A healthy academic environment is foundational to the preparation of future nurses, the retention of faculty, and the overall success of nursing education programs. This presentation examines the multidimensional nature of a healthy academic environment, highlighting psychological safety, equity and inclusion, supportive infrastructure, academic integrity, and collaborative learning as critical elements. Drawing from relational-cultural theory and caring science, the presentation explores how these elements shape outcomes for students, faculty, and institutions. Common challenges—including incivility, limited resources, and faculty workload strain—are discussed alongside evidence-based strategies to foster resilience, collegiality, and organizational change. Implications for practice, policy, and research are identified, underscoring the need for systemic efforts to embed health-promoting practices across nursing education. By cultivating academic spaces rooted in respect, equity, and wellness, nursing programs can better prepare graduates for the complex demands of healthcare while sustaining the vitality of the academic workforce.
Sigma Membership
Delta Kappa
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Faculty Development, Teacher Development, Incivility, Offensive Behavior, Workplace Incivility, Stress/Coping, Psychological Stress, Stress Management, Nursing Education, Academic Environment, Classroom Environment, Psychological Safety, Student Well-Being, Resilience, Psychological Resilience
Recommended Citation
Hedges, Donna M., "Fostering a Healthy Academic Environment in Nursing Education" (2026). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 27.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2026/presentations_2026/27
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-04-24
Fostering a Healthy Academic Environment in Nursing Education
Washington, DC, USA
A healthy academic environment is foundational to the preparation of future nurses, the retention of faculty, and the overall success of nursing education programs. This presentation examines the multidimensional nature of a healthy academic environment, highlighting psychological safety, equity and inclusion, supportive infrastructure, academic integrity, and collaborative learning as critical elements. Drawing from relational-cultural theory and caring science, the presentation explores how these elements shape outcomes for students, faculty, and institutions. Common challenges—including incivility, limited resources, and faculty workload strain—are discussed alongside evidence-based strategies to foster resilience, collegiality, and organizational change. Implications for practice, policy, and research are identified, underscoring the need for systemic efforts to embed health-promoting practices across nursing education. By cultivating academic spaces rooted in respect, equity, and wellness, nursing programs can better prepare graduates for the complex demands of healthcare while sustaining the vitality of the academic workforce.
Description
Participants will be equipped with an enhanced understanding of the challenges in nursing academia that influence healthy learning environments. Strategies to strengthen the learning culture and mitigate the factors that negatively affect student and faculty experiences within diverse nursing programs will be presented.