Abstract
Undergraduate nursing students are future healthcare leaders who not only provide direct patient care but also influence community and global health outcomes. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework to address pressing health and social challenges, including reducing inequalities, promoting well-being, ensuring access to quality education, and combating climate-related health threats. Integrating SDGs into nursing education equips students with the knowledge, skills, and advocacy mindset to address these challenges at local, national, and global levels.
Nurses are pivotal in achieving SDG-related outcomes such as health equity, disease prevention, and sustainable community interventions. Currently, nursing curricula often emphasize clinical skills and patient care but provide limited structured exposure to global health frameworks like the SDGs. Early exposure to SDGs fosters awareness, critical thinking, and action-oriented skills that prepare students to advocate for policy change, health promotion, and sustainable practices.
Integrating the SDGs into undergraduate nursing programs empowers students to see beyond traditional clinical care, fostering a generation of nurses prepared to address complex health challenges globally. This initiative aligns with the vision of nursing as a profession that promotes health equity, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Notes
References:
American Nurses Association (n.d.). Code of ethics for nurses: Provision 10. https://codeofethics.ana.org/provision-10-3#
Badawy, W.B.M., & Shaban, M. (2025) The role of nursing education in advancing sustainable development goals: A rapid review of current pedagogical strategies. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 20, 121-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2024.10.014
Boakye, D.S., Kwashie, A.A., Adjorlolo, S., & Korash, K. A. (2024). Nursing education for sustainable development: A concept analysis. Nursing Open, 11, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70058
Taminato, M., Fernandes, H., & Barbosa, D. A. (2023). Nursing and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): An essential commitment. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 76(6), e760601. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167.2023760601
United Nations. (n.d.). Sustainable Development Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Whittemore, R., & Dixon, J. (2022). Nursing education for global health: Strategies for SDG integration. Journal of Nursing Education, 61(4), 182–190.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Nursing Education, Undergraduate Nursing Students, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs
Recommended Citation
Peterson, Elise H. and Robertson, Melissa, "Global Goals, Local Impact: Advancing Nursing Education through SDG Integration" (2025). Global Advocacy. 17.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/ga_series/17
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.
Review Type
None: Event Material, Invited Presentation
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-10-13
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
The author was a participant in Global Advocacy, Sigma's virtual mini academy during the September/October 2025 cohort. This submission represents the academy's required Action Plan Presentation which occurs in week six of the program.