CIT Teaching & Learning Unit

Project Description

Nurse Education Outdoors for Health & Well-being (NEO Health & Well-being)

Project LeadS

Dr John Pierce (john.pierce@mtu.ie)

Dr Caitriona Kelly (caitriona.kelly@mtu.ie)

Project Status

• In Progress

Project Lead Home DepartmentS

• MTU Kerry – Health and Leisure Studies
• MTU Kerry – Nursing and Healthcare Sciences

Alignment to HEA and NFETLHE SATLE 2023-24 Themes

• Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

Alignment to MTU Strategy Themes

• Learner Education & Experience
• People & Community
• Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
• Leading Regional Development
• Global Outlook

Project Description

This project aims to integrate outdoor, nature-based learning into nurse education. It will develop and implement a pedagogical framework combining established outdoor education models, support lecturers through training and a community of practice, and provide necessary outdoor equipment. Spanning three semesters (AY 25–27), the project includes setup and training, implementation, and evaluation, with the goal of establishing a sustainable, nature-based teaching practice within the Department of Nursing & Healthcare Sciences.

What is the anticipated impact of this project?

The anticipated impacts of this project include enhanced student wellbeing, resilience, and engagement through immersive nature-based learning experiences integrated into the nursing curriculum. It will promote sustainable education aligned with SDGs and encourage greater use of green spaces on campus, supporting mental health and environmental awareness. Educators will benefit from increased competence and confidence in outdoor teaching, supported by training materials and toolkits. The project will strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and foster a supportive community of practice among staff. Additionally, it will contribute to research on the benefits of outdoor learning, such as stress reduction and improved student satisfaction, while engaging the wider community through awareness events focused on mental health in nursing.

HOW Will the outputs of this project be DISSEMINATED?

The project includes a plan to publish a peer-reviewed article detailing its methodology and outcomes. Additionally, findings will be disseminated through practitioner journals and professional magazines to reach a wider educational audience. There is a forthcoming opportunity to present this research as a keynote address at the European Institute for Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning Conference in Slovenia. Furthermore, the developed framework and associated processes will be made accessible to other academic departments interested in adopting similarly progressive pedagogical approaches within their curricula.

Team Members