An interview with Lindi Close, RN, MHLP
Lindi Close is a Planetary Health Research Nurse with the Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation Department. Her experience in healthcare includes Neonatal Intensive Care, bed management, and discharge planning for infants and families with complex needs. Most recently Lindi has worked as a Senior Practice Leader with the BC Women’s Hospital Neonatal Program. Lindi completed her master’s degree at UBC in Health Leadership and Policy with a focus on sustainability in healthcare and has worked with Nourish Leadership to promote Planetary Health Menus and decolonizing hospital food systems. She is passionate about exploring the interconnectedness of human and planetary health to nursing practice. Lindi’s goal is to improve patient outcomes and decrease the environmental impacts of health care delivery at BC Cancer through advocating and teaching nurses about planetary health principles.
Embodying Dreams of Helping Others through Nursing
For Lindi, the path to nursing became clear from a combination of interests and goals. “I knew I wanted to help people, but I didn’t know how,” she recalls. Growing up surrounded by children at her mother’s daycare, she discovered her passion for working with infants and children. High school interests in math and chemistry combined with a friend’s mention of NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nursing sparked a career path that she quickly embraced. “That was it. That’s what I want to do,” she says.
Lindi’s NICU career began in Edmonton, where she worked with premature infants and those requiring cardiac and surgical care, after which she began work at BC Women’s hospital. Over time, she expanded her expertise by taking on roles in patient flow coordination, discharge planning for complex cases, and senior practice leadership. Each role deepened her understanding of neonatal care and reinforced her commitment to providing trauma-informed, family-centered care. “The NICU is where I learned the value of trauma-informed and family-centered care,” she shares. Lindi notes that supporting families as they first connect with their newborns despite their gestational age or illness has been a pivotal influence on her career.
The Shift to Planetary Health Nursing
After years in NICU nursing, Lindi made a transformative leap to a new passion: planetary health. “It was partly burnout from shift work, but also my growing climate anxiety,” she reflects. Witnessing the waste generated in healthcare spurred her interest in sustainable practices. “I felt like there had to be a better way, but I didn’t know how to get there.”
Her journey led her to pursue a master’s degree in health leadership and policy at the University of British Columbia, focusing on sustainability in healthcare. Through this program, she not only gained valuable insights but also began to see how healthcare could evolve to address environmental concerns without compromising quality. Today, as a Planetary Health Research Nurse, she oversees a 12-week internship program at BC Cancer that teaches nurses to implement quality improvement projects aimed at reducing environmental impacts.
The Power of Mentorship: A Guiding Light for New Nurses
Lindi shared that starting out as a new graduate nurse can be daunting. The transition from school to the clinical environment is often overwhelming—new faces, shift work, and unfamiliar policies can make even the most confident new nurse feel lost. Lindi emphasized the crucial role of mentorship in making this transition smoother.
"I think mentorship is really important and identifying ahead of time folks that can mentor new learners or new grads so they have a beacon of light," Lindi explains. "When I first started, I didn’t have my school friends anymore. I was working shift work for the first time, had no vacation banked—it was a really rough transition."
Having a trusted mentor—someone who encourages questions and provides a safe space to learn—can make all the difference. "My mentor in the NICU made it very clear that there was no such thing as a stupid question. That made my practice even safer because instead of guessing, I felt comfortable asking her anything."
For workplaces that may not have formal mentorship programs, Lindi suggests finding a go-to person within the unit: "Even if you don’t have a dedicated one-on-one mentor, just knowing who in your area you can approach for guidance makes a huge difference."
The Role of Leadership in Supporting New Nurses
Beyond peer mentorship, Lindi feels that building relationships with leadership can also ease the transition into practice. "It’s really helpful if you know who your manager is and they know who you are, same with the educators. It makes everything feel a lot more comfortable," Lindi shares. "You need safe spaces to talk about mistakes, worries, or questions. Visibility of supportive individuals—whether they’re bedside nurses, educators, or managers—really matters."
Her overarching message to nurses is one of empowerment. “Nursing is so versatile. If you feel strongly about something—whether it’s sustainability or another passion—take action. You’re not limited to one thing in this career.”
The BCCA Planetary Health Nursing Internship Program
Lindi offers the definition of Planetary Health from the Planetary Health Alliance: “a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and social movement focused on analyzing and addressing the impacts of human disruptions to Earth’s natural systems on human health and all life on Earth”.
In other words, the premise of planetary health is that human well-being over the long-term depends on the well-being of the earth, including both its living and non-living systems.
As part of her work in planetary health, Lindi leads the BCCA Planetary Health Nursing Internship Program, through which Nurses are empowered to drive BC Cancer’s transition towards low-carbon, low-waste, sustainable healthcare. This 12-week program provides hands-on experience in designing and implementing environmentally focused quality improvement initiatives. Participants engage in projects that target waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable clinical practices while maintaining high standards of patient care.
One standout project from the internship involved eliminating the use of a second sealable bag for systemic therapy medications at BC Cancer. This initiative alone prevented the disposal of approximately 3,666 plastic bags per year—an impact equivalent to supplying a school child with a daily bagged lunch for nearly 20 years. “These changes not only reduce waste but also streamline processes and reduce costs,” Lindi explains.
The projects under Lindi’s leadership demonstrate the potential for meaningful change. Examples include replacing single-use speculums with reusable stainless-steel ones and transitioning from disposable pads to washable towels. “We aim to optimize workflows while reducing waste, all without adding to nursing workloads,” she emphasizes.
Other projects in the program have included improving virtual care options for patients to access at home and advocating for sustainable procurement policies within healthcare institutions. “The goal is to integrate planetary health principles into everyday nursing practice in a way that is both feasible and impactful,” Lindi adds. These successes highlight how thoughtful planning and collaboration can create win-win scenarios for both the environment and patient care. Overall, Lindi maintains that the health of our communities is directly influenced and depends on the health of our planet
Advice for Nurses Interested in Planetary Health
For nurses looking to engage in sustainability, Lindi offers practical advice:
She emphasized that collaboration and shared knowledge are key to driving change. “When you find like-minded individuals, you’ll realize you’re not alone in your concerns,” she adds. “That sense of community can be incredibly empowering.”
Looking Ahead
As planetary health gains traction in healthcare, Lindi remains optimistic. “It’s about creating systems-level change and showing how sustainability aligns with high-quality care,” she says. Through her work, she’s not only reducing environmental impact but also advancing equity and accessibility in patient care. The foundation of a planetary health approach lies in recognizing that human health is intricately tied to the thriving state of natural systems, and the responsible management of these ecosystems.
Lindi is also excited about the growing body of research supporting planetary health initiatives. “We’re seeing more studies than ever linking the health of our communities to the health of our planet with better health outcomes,” she shares. “It’s a movement that’s gaining momentum, and it’s inspiring to be part of it.”
Lindi’s final thought? “Taking action is the best way to manage climate anxiety. By making changes, no matter how small, we can all contribute to a healthier planet—and healthier communities.”
For more information on Planetary Health for nurses, visit:
The Canadian Association of Nurses for the Environment https://cane-aiie.ca/
where you can additionally find the Planetary health Nursing Toolkit, full of planetary health information and resources for making changes in your workplace https://www.nursingtoolkit4planetaryhealth.ca/
The BC Cancer Planetary Health Nursing Internship Program information https://www.bccrc.ca/dept/nahr/planetary-health-nursing-internship-program
After more than twenty years of national leadership in supporting nursing students and newly graduated nurses through professional role transition, Nursing the Future (NTF) is concluding its current operational chapter.
Since 2004, NTF has served as a vital bridge for new nurses, educators, and leaders navigating the vulnerable early months of practice. Through evidence-based programming, national partnerships, and a commitment to building a safe “cul-de-sac” for early-career nurses, NTF has supported thousands across Canada in cultivating connection, confidence, and professional identity.
We extend deep gratitude to our partners, including the Canadian Nurses Foundation, the Canadian Nurses Association, the Canadian Nursing Students Association, provincial ministries, healthcare institutions, and countless contributors whose belief in transition-to-practice support made this work possible.
While formal operations conclude, the scholarship, curriculum, intellectual property, and program infrastructure developed over two decades remain intact and available for strategic partnership and collaboration. For further dialogue on potential collaborations, please contact Dr. Duchscher directly: newgraduates@nursingthefuture.ca
We welcome conversations with ministries, health regions, academic institutions, and professional associations interested in advancing initiatives such as:
The mission of healthy and supported professional role transition remains urgent. The work continues, sustained through scholarship, partnership, and shared commitment to the future of Canadian nursing.
With enduring gratitude,
Dr. Judy Duchscher - Founder & CEO, Nursing the Future
Kathryn Corneau - Program Director, Nursing the Future
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