Survey: Nurses need more EM training, education

In addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the United States and the world continues to be challenged by disasters, such as droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, severe weather events, and terrorism.

When they occur, nurses are called on to respond during and following a disaster.

“Nurses are widely recognized for the key roles they play in disaster preparedness and response,” says Charleen C. McNeill, PhD, MSN, RN, an associate professor in the nursing science department at East Carolina University College of Nursing in Greenville, North Carolina.

As the largest body of healthcare providers who often find themselves involved in the acute post-disaster phase of response measures, nurses are critical in preparedness efforts and must educate themselves on the risks and hazards in the areas in which they live in order to plan appropriate response measures, McNeill says.

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