Most nurses embrace the profession of nursing because of a desire to help others. Nurses can play a key role in disaster preparation by educating individuals and communities. Many take this commitment a step further by volunteering to serve as disaster responders.
Nature, humans or a combination of both can cause disasters. The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reports that as of October 2017, the United States has already experienced 15 natural disasters this year. Devastation from natural disasters draws assistance from several quarters, but especially from nurses.
Nurses Play a Vital Role in a Disaster
The American Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters every year and relies heavily on nurses. Nurses are well-positioned to help for a variety of reasons.
- Nurses constitute the largest segment of the healthcare workforce.
- Diverse work settings enable collaboration with a variety of healthcare personnel.
- Most consider nurses as a trusted source of health information.
- Education on disaster preparedness and response is often included within the nursing curriculum.
- Nurses may have specific training such as National Healthcare Disaster Certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Anne Llewellyn, RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM volunteered during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. “Nurses are trained in care coordination, transitions of care and know how to communicate with people so they can relieve stress and fear … nurses would be a benefit to all of the first responders and the community when a disaster hits.”
How Can Nurses Help When Strikes?
Having the proper education and training, and being part of an organized response system, can help nurses to prepare. The length of a volunteer commitment could be uncertain. The severity and length of the disaster determine the type and level of response needed.
Natalie R. was deployed to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti as a Navy nurse. “By the way, you may need to leave tomorrow … they said we could be gone from 45 days to 6 months. … My goal for joining the Navy was being fulfilled.”
There are also opportunities to work in a long-term capacity with organizations whose mission is helping with relief efforts. A few include:
- American Red Cross.
- Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
- United States Public Health Service.
What Is the Nurse’s Role in a Disaster?
Nurses can assume a wide range of roles and responsibilities. They may be required to work within their organization or their community. A nurse may:
- Assist with their organization’s disaster-preparedness and response plans.
- Perform community and consumer education.
- Administer first aid and medication.
- Assess victims and special needs populations.
- Monitor the mental health needs for responders and victims.
“I was shocked by the devastation I saw as a result of the hurricane. TV did not do it justice “¦ As I approached my destination in South Miami, the area looked like a war zone. Homes had lost their roofs. Fronts of buildings were ripped away,” Llewellyn said.
The Rewards of Volunteering
Volunteers may face primitive conditions. They should bring the necessities and have up-to-date vaccinations, especially if traveling abroad. Despite challenging care environments and uncertainties accompanying volunteering, many nurses find the experience invaluable.
“When the earthquake happened in Haiti, I remember walking down the street with my now husband having a conversation about how desperately I wanted to be there helping. The ability to use my nursing skills to assist people who did not have the means to help themselves was empowering to me,” said Natalie R.
“Waiting is the worst part of the storm. I looked at volunteering as a way to put my energy and expertise into something useful … I began to triage people as they came into the clinic … I worked for 12 hours straight that day, but felt like I contributed and helped out,” said Llewellyn.
Other Ways to Help
Every role is important in disaster relief efforts. Nurses who are unable to serve as disaster responders can help behind the scenes by providing education, or recruiting and training volunteers for disaster response.
Learn more about the Lamar University online RN to BSN program.
Sources:
American Nurses Association: Disaster Preparedness & Response
Johnson & Johnson: Nurses on the Frontlines of Disaster Response
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: When Disaster Strikes
American Red Cross: Disaster Relief
Nurse.org: Hurricane Harvey – Here’s How Nurses Can Help
Rusinek, N. (2017, October 8). Interview by M. Bonatch. [personal communication].
Llewellyn, A. (2017, October 8). Interview by M. Bonatch. [personal communication].
