Nurses everywhere are feeling the heat. Across the Philippines and beyond, temperatures are rising fast. Heatwaves are no longer just part of summer. They are turning into health emergencies.

While nurses care for patients with heat-related illnesses, they are also at risk themselves. This is not just about the weather. It is about how climate change is hitting healthcare, and nurses are on the front lines.

The Dual Challenge: Caring for Patients While Managing Personal Risk

During heatwaves, hospitals and clinics often see a surge in the following:

• Heat exhaustion and heatstroke cases
• Exacerbation of chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular and renal diseases
• Dehydration, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with limited access to cooling

However, the health and safety of the nursing workforce often go unaddressed. Many nurses work long shifts in environments with poor ventilation, limited access to cooling, and few opportunities for adequate hydration or rest.

Practical Measures for Nurses Working in High Temperatures

1. Prioritize Hydration

Nurses should drink water consistently throughout their shifts. Rehydration with electrolyte solutions is advisable during long or physically demanding duties.

2. Choose Breathable, Comfortable Clothing

 Use light, breathable layers underneath standard uniforms where feasible. Moisture-wicking fabrics can help reduce heat stress during extended hours.

3. Take Strategic Breaks

 Short rest periods in shaded or air-conditioned spaces, when possible, can help reduce heat stress. Applying cold compresses to the neck or wrists can also assist with body temperature regulation.

4. Recognize Heat-Related Symptoms

 Be aware of early warning signs of heat-related illnesses in yourself and colleagues, such as dizziness, fatigue, headache, or rapid heartbeat. Do not delay in seeking assistance if symptoms appear.

5. Adapt Workflows to Environmental Conditions

 Whenever feasible, adjust patient rounds and responsibilities to minimize exposure during peak heat hours. Educating patients and families on preventing heat-related illnesses is also essential.

Climate Change and the Expanding Role of Nurses

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events underscore the connection between climate change and public health. Nurses are now routinely treating the consequences of a warming planet, from respiratory issues to dehydration and heat-related emergencies.

This is no longer a distant concern. Climate change is directly affecting healthcare systems, and nurses must be recognized as both responders and stakeholders in climate resilience planning.

Supporting the Nursing Workforce

Healthcare administrators and policymakers must take meaningful steps to protect nurses during extreme heat events.

These include:

• Ensuring access to clean drinking water and hydration stations
• Providing adequately ventilated or cooled break areas
• Revising shift structures to limit prolonged exposure to high temperatures

Protecting nurses is not only a matter of occupational health. It is essential for ensuring patient safety and preserving the long-term sustainability of healthcare services.

Conclusion

As the effects of climate change become harder to ignore, the role of nurses has never been more important. You are not just adapting. You are leading. Facing extreme heat and rising health demands takes more than skill. It takes strength, compassion, and the right support behind you.

Caring for nurses means caring for everyone. When we protect those who give care, we strengthen the entire healthcare system. If you are a nurse reading this, you are not alone and you are essential.