Preparedness and resilience of student nurses in Northern Queensland Australia for disasters

Abstract

Preparing for a disaster helps preserve the health and welfare of all involved, collectively increasing the resilience of individuals and overall community. Nurses hold a wide range of responsibilities related to disaster preparedness and response that are vitally important in times of crisis. While the disaster preparedness of nurses has been documented in nurse practitioners and registered nurses, disaster preparedness is relatively unknown in student nurses. This study measured disaster preparedness and resilience in a cohort of 66 2nd and 3rd year nursing students from James Cook University, Australia utilising the Disaster Preparedness and Evaluation Tool and the 10 point Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. The student nurses demonstrated a lack of knowledge surrounding disaster preparedness but a willingness to contribute time and their limited skills in a disaster setting. Their resilience score was similar to that of other published results. No correlation between disaster preparedness and resilience was identified. This study suggests that while student nurses have the willingness to participant in disaster preparedness and response, they do not believe they possess the necessary skillset or knowledge. Suitable disaster orientated education may increase the ability of student nurses to assist in crisis situations.