Nurses' Perceptions of the Role of Nursing Organizations in Promoting Engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals: A Global Study

ABSTRACT Background: RNs are integral to achieving the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Professional nursing organizations can play a significant role in educating and preparing nurses to work more effectively toward achieving the SDGs. While there is much literature that speaks to the importance of nurses engaging in these goals, there is a lack of research that has explored nurses' perceptions of the role of professional nursing organizations in promoting SDG-related knowledge and engagement. Since 2012, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has been formally accredited as a nongovernmental organization with special consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. As such, Sigma is committed to educating RNs about the SDGs and engaging them in working to advance the goals. Purpose: This study examined RNs' learning preferences regarding the SDGs, and their perceptions of their professional nursing organization's engagement in advancing these goals, its recognition of nursing's contributions to these goals, and its impact on increasing nurses' knowledge of these goals. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study used convenience and snowball sampling methods to recruit participants from multiple countries. Data were collected via an anonymous online survey. Descriptive and nonparametric statistics were used for data analysis. Results: The majority (84%) of Sigma members enrolled in this study believed Sigma should be actively engaged in advancing the SDGs. Forty-eight percent were aware of Sigma's engagement and 44% reported that Sigma had increased their knowledge of the SDGs. When comparing participants who were Sigma members to those who were not, Sigma members had significantly higher levels of perceived knowledge of the SDGs and higher levels of belief that nurses are integral to SDG advancement. There were no significant between-group differences regarding nurses' desire to know more about the goals, what nurses are doing to advance them, and how to take action themselves. Participants' top 3 preferred means of learning about the SDGs were emailed and online newsletters (28.8%), webinars and online presentations (24.3%), and internet websites (14.9%). Conclusions: The results of this study underscore the importance of professional nursing organizations' efforts to increase nurses' engagement with the SDGs and can be used in developing multilevel strategies to further educate nurses about the SDGs.