The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
Volume 8, Issue 1 , Pages 38-44, January 2012

When Disaster Happens: Emergency Preparedness for Nurse Practitioners

  • Ketty Molina Spain, FNP-BC

      Affiliations

    • Paul Thomas Clements, PhD, APRN-BC, DF-IAFN, is an associate clinical professor at Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions in Philadelphia, PA.
    • ,
  • Paul Thomas Clements, APRN-BC

      Affiliations

    • Ketty Molina Spain, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, EMT-B, is a family practice physician from Ecuador who, as a nurse, became an emergency preparedness coordinator for the Warren County Health Department in North Carolina. Currently, she works as a family nurse practitioner in Mecklenburg County, VA.
    • ,
  • Joseph T DeRanieri, BCECR

      Affiliations

    • Joseph T DeRanieri, DM, MSN, RN, CPN, BCECR, is an assistant professor at the University of Delaware School of Nursing and coordinator of the health services administration degree program.
    • ,
  • Karyn Holt, CNM

      Affiliations

    • Karyn Holt, PhD, CNM, is an associate clinical professor at Drexel University. She is also the subject matter expert for research in nursing at the American Red Cross Office of the Chief Nurse. In compliance with national ethical guidelines, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that would pose a conflict of interest.

Abstract 

Catastrophic events, including both natural and man-made disasters, usually create surge capacity needs for health care systems; subsequently, the ability to meet such capacity requires thoughtful preparation. While it is true that disastrous emergencies may not be prevented or controlled, it is vital for citizens to be prepared at multiple levels, including individuals, families, health care employees, and community organizations at-large, in order to mount a successful response to the event. Nurse practitioners, by virtue of their advanced biopsychosocial education, as well as their inherent role of community-based practice and collaboration, are uniquely situated to directly contribute toward these efforts.

Keywords:  disaster preparedness , nurse practitioner

 

 Editor's Note: To sign up for automatic email FEMA alerts of disasters in your area, subscribe at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSFEMA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USDHSFEMA_153.

PII: S1555-4155(11)00360-6

doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2011.07.024

The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
Volume 8, Issue 1 , Pages 38-44, January 2012

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