The disaster preparedness response is embraced in the nursing sphere as the most vital aspect. This implies not only mastering the theory but also demonstrating skillful practice. To care for the mother-to-be, especially in labor and delivery, safe delivery of both mother and child becomes a priority. Integrating practical experiences into academic studies, training like CERT, and simulation exercises prepare nurses to deal with the specific challenges of disaster management efficiently. This paper will discuss my role as a nurse in disaster management and various training I could participate in to enhance my skills in disaster management.
My Role as A Nurse in Disaster Preparedness and Response
A part of my duties as a disaster nurse comprises several vital tasks that help me ensure patient safety and well-being during crises. This includes making emergency plans, role-playing exercises, and keeping informed on disaster protocols (Flaubert et al., 2021). In case of a disaster, I would have to assess the patients, administer primary medical care, and organize the work of other healthcare professionals to deal with urgent situations swiftly.
Subsequently, in my current clinical rotation in labor and delivery, most of my patients are expectant mothers and newborns. One of the challenges I might face in dealing with this group during the disaster is guaranteeing that both mums and their infants are safe (Sahoo et al., 2021). Also, I must be able to manage obstetric emergencies under exceptionally challenging circumstances and make a difference according to the unique needs of women during evacuations or sheltering. In the same vein, a pregnant woman with a complicated medical condition will need a well-thought-out and adequate plan to put in place while dealing with a disaster.
How I Can Gain More Hands-On Training to Supplement My Academic Study of Disaster Management and Different Training Options I Could Participate
Along with coursework to understand disasters and management, I could also benefit from practical training via different relevant practical opportunities. The option is participating in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, where all disaster preparation, response, and recovery are extensively educated at the community level (Engelman et al., 2022). CERT training covers an array of areas, such as fire safety, medical operations, search and rescue techniques, and psychological first-aid
Furthermore, I plan to participate in simulations offered by the town´s emergency services or healthcare facilities. These simulations are designed to mimic the real scenarios of disasters in which the respondents can practice a logistic drill of skills in a controlled situation (Moslehi et al., 2022). Beyond that, participating in organizations, including the Red Cross and local disaster response teams, allows me to apply knowledge gained to real-world activities through disaster relief activities. Nonetheless, via the actual response activities myself, I would acquire various skills in areas of care coordination, resource management, and provisioning of services to a population that is diverse in their needs.
Summary
The nursing field, in particular, requires disaster preparedness to be achieved by combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It becomes a critical task for nurses to provide care for pregnant women and babies in labor and delivery during a crisis since the circumstances demand it. Integrating classroom learning with practical applications like CERT courses, simulations, and volunteer work with the Red Cross will give the nurses the tools to overcome these challenges. It will result in more efficient responses to natural disasters.
References
Engelman, A., Guzzardo, M. T., Antolin Muñiz, M., Arenas, L., & Gomez, A. (2022). Assessing the Emergency Response Role of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) serving people with disabilities and older adults in Puerto Rico Post-Hurricane María and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2156. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042156
Flaubert, J. L., Le Menestrel, S., Williams, D. R., Wakefield, M. K., & National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). Nurses in disaster preparedness and public health emergency response. In The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573904/#:~:text=They%20provide%20first%20aid%2C%20advanced,physical%20and%20mental%20health%20needs.
Moslehi, S., Masoumi, G., & Barghi-Shirazi, F. (2022). Benefits of simulation-based education in hospital emergency departments: A systematic review. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, pp. 11, 40. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_558_21
Sahoo, K. C., Negi, S., Patel, K., Mishra, B. K., Palo, S. K., & Pati, S. (2021). Challenges in maternal and child health services delivery and access during pandemics or public health disasters in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 9(7), 828. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9070828
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