Disasters, both manmade and natural, are happening at an increased frequency. When they occur, they can have devastating and lasting effects on communities. Nurses represent a significant portion of health systems in both rural and urban settings around the world. They are well positioned in all practice areas to take an active role in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. There is a paucity of educational content related to the nurse's role in disasters. This program utilizes collaborative relationships to foster knowledge exchange and resilience building in a community directly affected by a major disaster. In addition, a large proportion of the nursing profession is female. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are supportive of programmatic development that focuses on building resilience in communities and fostering empowerment in women.
Objective
Our aim was to provide a broad range of exposure disaster topics with a goal toward fostering novice nurses participation and leadership in preparedness, response, and recovery efforts within their own communities and beyond.
Results
During 2015 to 2017, three cohorts from multiple registered and advanced practice nursing programs in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan completed the program. Participants self-identified via interview as interested in learning about disaster nursing. The program included:
- Pre-tour seminars: Lectures from content experts provided. Audience included: (1) Japanese disaster experts, students, and other interested in disaster field and (2) students and faculty unable to participate in US study Tour.
- US Study Tour: Participants traveled to New York City, New York and Washington, District of Columbia and were provided opportunities to engage with 20 different organizations and over 60 content experts. Multiple learning modalities were utilized including didactic, simulation, and interactive panel discussion. Major content themes included: mental health needs, community response and recovery, pediatric specific needs. Post-program participants desired to take acquired skills and participate in Japanese recovery efforts
- Post-tour seminars: Participants highlighted their own reflections on their US Study Tour and discuss actionable next steps expanding the discussion to broader regions of Japan.
Conclusion
Beginning exposure to disaster content during nursing educational programs increases awareness around this topic and may increase the number of nurses interested in incorporating these concepts into their career path, as well as, actively participating in community disaster efforts.
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