Title: Understanding the Beliefs, Perceptions, and Experiences of Disaster Preparedness in Nurses: A Mini-Focused Ethnography
Purpose: To explore the beliefs, perceptions, and experiences of disaster preparedness of nurses
Research Questions: What are the beliefs, perceptions, and experiences of disaster preparedness for nurses?
Background: Nurses fulfil important roles in disasters. Previous studies found many nurses considered themselves unprepared for their roles in disasters. To identify potential learning gaps, a clearer understanding of what nurses believe is necessary for disaster preparation.
Methods: A mini-focused ethnography was used to conduct this study. Registered nurses from the greater New York City area were recruited to complete a demographic survey and participate in interviews. Analysis of interview data was conducted utilizing Leininger’s Four Phases of Qualitative Data Analysis.
Results: Of the participants (n=3; male = 2, female = 1), two had \u3e 20 years of experience working in emergency departments, while one participant had \u3c 2 years in a telemetry unit. Two participants had previous disaster experience and training from their workplaces. In the initial phase of analysis, 9 categories were identified. Further analysis resulted in two patterns: (1) Pattern of feeling competent as sign of successful preparedness (2) Pattern of knowledge of nurse role expectations as important to disaster preparedness.
Conclusions and Implications: Nurses’ perceptions of being prepared for disasters emanate from knowing what their role expectations are during disasters and feeling competent in their roles. Disaster preparedness training/education curriculum should consider these factors in their design to facilitate better future nursing disaster preparedness.
Keywords: Disaster nursing, disaster preparedness, nurse preparedness, emergency preparedness, disaster managemen
