Readiness to Respond: Nursing Students’ Perspectives From a Virtual Disaster-Simulated Experience

Abstract

The dramatic increase in disasters and other public health emergencies presents untoward challenges for emergency support systems and reinforces the need for nursing preparedness. There is increased emphasis on the need for nurses and other healthcare professionals to be competently ready when the call arises. Nurses are at the forefront of disaster response, and preparation with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills for optimal care delivery is paramount. This qualitative study explored undergraduate nursing students’ perception of their situational knowledge, awareness, and perceived role during a virtual disaster experience. Three themes emerged from the data: increased awareness of the need to be prepared, a quest for knowledge, and improved recognition of the nurse’s role in caring for disaster victims. The findings suggest that the innovative use of virtual simulation was a promising pedagogical approach for disaster education in the nursing curriculum.