“Let’s not ask how smart our aged care can become. Let’s ask: how human can we keep it?”
1. To begin with, can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey into the field of acute medical nursing?
I am Arun Raj, and I am a Band 5 Registered Nurse currently employed in the Acute Medical Ward at Tameside and Glossop NHS Trust in Manchester. I began nursing practice in India with a passion to look after people and be in a position to leave a lasting impression in their lives. Eventually, I moved to the UK, where I was drawn to acute medical nursing because of the fast- paced, dynamic environment it offers. Every shift brings a new challenge and being part of a team that works around the clock to stabilise, support, and treat acutely ill patients is incredibly fulfilling.
2. What drew you to nursing in the acute care setting, and how has the experience shaped your views on patient care and frontline responsibility?
Acute care is where quick decisions, coordinated action, and human empathy collide every single day. The adrenaline and responsibility are real, but so is the satisfaction. You learn to look beyond symptoms, you learn to see the person behind the illness. This setting has made me more resilient, more compassionate, and incredibly aware of how even small actions can ripple into bigger outcomes, both for the patient and the system.
3. When did you first notice or think about the environmental impact of everyday nursing practices? Was there a particular moment that made you reflect on this more seriously?
Honestly, it started with the bin. I remember finishing a particularly hectic shift and seeing the mountain of clinical waste—gloves, aprons, wrappers, plastic trays—all used just once. It hit me hard. I started asking myself: Are all these single- use items necessary? That was the moment I became more conscious. As I read more and spoke to like-minded colleagues, I realized how deeply unsustainable some of our daily routines are. That awareness hasn’t left me since.
4. How do you personally try to incorporate sustainability into your nursing practice on a day-to-day basis?
It starts with small things—turning off unwanted monitors, minimising unnecessary printing, recycling paper, and not buying too much stationery. I have also attempted to minimise waste as far as possible. For instance, rather than opening the entire dressing pack for a minor wound, I check if a lower volume, alternative one would be usable. I also use care in PPE usage—adhering to advice but not excessively. These small things are additives and will bear some impact if done as routine.
5. In your experience, what are some common habits or routines in acute care that could be improved from a sustainability standpoint?
There are quite a few! For instance, the overuse of disposable gloves even when not strictly necessary, leaving lights or equipment on in empty rooms, excessive use of paper documentation when electronic alternatives exist, and the tendency to throw away unused supplies because of unclear expiry management. These are everyday behaviors, and while most are done unintentionally or out of habit, they can be reformed with the right awareness and support.
6. Can you share any examples of green practices you’ve adopted or encouraged among your peers, even if they seem small or informal?
Absolutely. One thing I often encourage among colleagues is what I call the “pause and think” moment—before using or discarding any resource, just pause and consider if it’s really needed or if there’s a more efficient way. I’ve also taken part in informal ward discussions about managing stock rotation better to prevent expiry-related waste. Some of us have even pooled ideas on low-energy night lighting or finding ways to reuse non- clinical materials, like folders or storage items. It’s not always formal, but it’s collective.
7. Considering the increasing demands of caring for older adults, how do you balance sustainability with the urgency and complexity that often come with elderly care?
That’s a great question because the needs of older adults are often more complex—they tend to have multiple comorbidities and require longer stays and more frequent interventions.
Balancing that with sustainability is about optimizing care, not cutting corners. For instance, using digital monitoring to reduce repeated physical checks, ensuring accurate medication orders to avoid wastage, or organizing care in a way that reduces the need for unnecessary transport or duplication. Ultimately, a sustainable system serves the patient better, too.
8. Have digital tools or technology—like electronic records or remote monitoring—helped you in making your work more efficient or sustainable in any way?
Yes, very much so. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have dramatically reduced our dependence on paper. I also find that digital handovers and online referral systems reduce duplication and miscommunication, which in turn saves resources and time. Even simple things like having a patient’s vitals automatically uploaded from monitors to the system help eliminate the need for unnecessary re-checking or transcription. Tech, when used wisely, makes care more streamlined and resource conscious.
9. How do you handle the challenge of clinical waste or single-use materials in your day-to-day work? Are there any personal strategies or reflections you’d like to share on this?
Clinical waste is difficult as infection prevention should be the first goal. However, I try to remain knowledgeable within that context. I always separate rubbish according to the municipal regulations and thoroughly read them. I don’t open kits or trays too soon, I just use what I need, and I’m careful not to throw away unopened materials that may be useful if stored correctly. Although they may seem like little things, they eventually help cut down on needless waste.
10. Do you feel that nurses are adequately prepared or supported to think about environmental sustainability as part of their role? How did you personally learn about it?
To be honest, I think we’re just starting to talk about it more. In my early training, sustainability wasn’t discussed much. Most of my learning has been self-driven—through reading, watching what other departments do, and talking with colleagues who share the same concerns. That said, I believe sustainability should be a part of nursing education and induction programs. It should be treated as a core element of safe, responsible care— not an afterthought.
11. From your point of view, what are the biggest mindset shifts needed among healthcare professionals to make sustainability feel like a part of care, rather than an added burden?
I believe that changing from a “task-based” to a more “systems- aware” approach is crucial. We frequently forget that every activity has a larger purpose, believing that we only need to complete our shift. When we understand that sustainability is about doing things better rather than more, it becomes less daunting. The goal is to provide care that is more intelligent and future-proof, not to compromise care. That change is strong.
12. Lastly, what advice would you give to fellow nurses, especially those early in their careers—about making their practice more sustainable, even in fast-paced clinical settings?
Begin with modest steps. Pay attention to your surroundings. Challenge wasteful practices. Discuss the matter with your employees. Go ahead and take charge. Above all, remember that nurses are change agents; don’t undervalue your impact. Together, we can reshape healthcare’s relationship with the environment if we all make consistent, deliberate decisions. Being attentive, involved, and caring—not just with our patients, but also with the environment they live in—is more important than being flawless.