Emergency Preparedness Competencies Among Nurses

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine current levels of self-reported professional emergency preparedness competence among nurses. In addition, relationships between nurse professional emergency preparedness competence, personal preparation for a disaster, and perceived likelihood of reporting to work after a disaster are examined. BACKGROUND Evidence suggests wide gaps in nurses' familiarity with the dimensions of professional emergency preparedness competence and their likelihood to report, potentially impacting human life after a disaster. METHODS An exploratory, cross-sectional survey design was used with a sample of 186 RNs and licensed practical nurses. RESULTS Results indicate significant weaknesses in nurses' professional emergency preparedness competence. There are positive correlations between likelihood to report, personal preparedness, and professional emergency preparedness competence. CONCLUSIONS Nurses across the United States lack sufficient competence in professional emergency preparedness. Results demonstrate the need to improve the education of nurses to meet the demands of populations in urgent situations. Action items nurse administrators can take are provided.

Disaster preparedness knowledge and its relationship with triage decision-making among hospital and pre-hospital emergency nurses - Ardabil, Iran

“…The results of the present study also demonstrated that the highest level of EPIQ was related to the triage dimension (3.45). The results of other studies also confirm this finding [ 4 , 10 , 37 , 38 ]. The high level of familiarity with triage can be because triage concepts have traditionally been included in nursing education programs [ 43 ] and emergency nurses have good information about it because it is performed daily in Emergency Departments (EDs) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) [ 10 ].…”

Determinants of Nurse Preparedness in Disaster Management: A Cross-Sectional Study Among the Community Health Nurses in Coastal Areas

“… 10 Another recent study reported that nurses with emergency preparedness competencies are more likely to have professional competence in disaster responses, maintain personal disaster preparedness, and report to work after a disaster. 11 …”

“…10 Another recent study reported that nurses with emergency preparedness competencies are more likely to have professional competence in disaster responses, maintain personal disaster preparedness, and report to work after a disaster. 11 One of the roles of community public health centers (PHCs) is to minimize the effects of disasters on the population. Despite nurses being primarily responsible for most (72.97%) PHC disaster programs, previous study results indicated that 50% of PHC nurses had low disaster preparedness.…”

Hospice Emergency Planning and COVID-19

“…The literature exploring the role of nursing in emergency planning identifies nursing core competencies that span the entire range of EPP, mitigation, response, and recovery. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] Specific involvement of nurses in organizational emergency management planning is recommended for many reasons, including leveraging their skills and experience as well as for engagement and training purposes. 31,36 While the numbers are extremely small, bedside nurses reported feeling neutral about their importance in emergency preparedness efforts for their organization in much higher proportions than other personnel categories.…”