Disaster Response Nursing: How You Can Help on the Front Line of Natural Disasters

Wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods… These natural disasters wreak havoc on, and sometimes decimate, entire communities leaving widespread devastation in their wake. Amidst the challenge of natural disasters, healthcare workers play a critical role in response and recovery efforts. And among healthcare professionals, nurses stand out as essential contributors to helping a shattered community heal — offering necessary care, emotional support, and resourceful solutions amidst the chaos in dangerous environments. 

The role of nurses during natural disasters

In addition to injuries and fatalities, natural disasters can also cause severe damage to hospitals, clinics, medical offices, power stations, water supplies, utility services and other facilities. During, and following, a natural disaster like the California wildfires, patients often require critical care despite damage to facilities. As the largest group of healthcare professionals in the United States, nurses play an important role in the care of those affected by natural disasters. 

Initial response and triage

During a natural disaster, and in the immediate aftermath, nurses are often among the first people to provide care. They are responsible for assessing injuries, using a triage system to prioritize treatment based on severity, and stabilizing patients in environments where resources and time can be scarce. 

Natural disasters can overwhelm healthcare facilities. For example, hospitals that see a number of emergency room patients on a daily basis can experience a dramatic increase in cases during, and immediately following, a natural disaster — putting a strain on resources. Nurses who have the ability to think quickly and accurately evaluate and address medical needs will save lives in this critical time of need. 

Medical care and ongoing support

Once natural disaster patients have been stabilized, nurses are responsible for providing ongoing care including: monitoring vital signs, managing wounds, and administering medications. Nurses not only manage medical needs directly resulting from natural disasters, but also help patients manage chronic conditions that may worsen during natural disasters due to disruptions in access to healthcare.  

Mental health support

Nurses play a pivotal role in assessing and addressing the emotional and psychological needs of natural disaster survivors in addition to their physical needs. Nurses on the front lines provide compassionate care and help individuals cope with trauma and the losses sustained during natural disasters. Nurses also support fellow first responders who may face emotional stress during and after disaster response efforts. 

Skills and training that make nurses effective during natural disasters

Emergency preparedness training - Many nurses have undergone emergency training and obtained emergency nursing certifications to help them handle disaster scenarios including mass casualty incidents. 

Critical decision-making skills - Successful nurses have the ability to think on their feet — quickly assessing situations and making recommendations. 

Communication and teamwork skills - Nurses work with teams of other healthcare providers daily, and these skills are important when working with first responders and other medical professionals on the front lines of natural disasters. 

Adaptability and resourcefulness - Nurses must rely on creative problem solving skills during a natural disaster as they are often required to work with limited resources and even in damaged facilities. 

How to become a natural disaster response nurse

In order to work or volunteer in disaster response nursing, the first thing you will need is an active nursing license. While LPNs can help during natural disasters, it is best to obtain a registered nurse (RN) license. There are programs that allow LPNs, CNAs, Surgical Technicians, and other healthcare professionals the ability to begin the work necessary to obtain an RN license while they continue working. 

Earn your RN

Achieve Test Prep offers LPN to RN bridge programs online as well as a CNA to RN bridge program, Surgical Technician to RN Bridge program, Paramedic to RN Bridge program, and more. 

These programs provide a faster way to earn college credits through credit by exam which shortens the overall time it will take you to earn your degree and saves you money. You’ll complete your course and earn credits in as little as 5 weeks compared to 16 weeks for a traditional semester-long course.

Obtain Additional Emergency Nursing Certifications

Emergency nursing certifications are useful in everyday nursing jobs, but can also be useful in natural disaster response nursing. A few of the more popular, and highly sought-after certifications are: 

• CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse): This is the most common emergency nursing certification — demonstrating expertise in general emergency care. 
• CFRN (Certified Flight Registered Nurse): This certification is for nurses who specialize in emergency medical air transport. 
• TCRN (Trauma Certified Registered Nurse): This certification is focused on managing patients with severe or life-threatening injuries. 
• CTRN (Certified Transport Registered Nurse): This certification is used by nurses providing critical care during ground transport. 
• CPEN (Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse): This certification is specific to pediatric emergency nursing. 

Working or Volunteering as a Disaster Response Nurse

If you want to work in disaster response nursing, a great way to start is by volunteering your nursing skills with various organizations and gaining experience. While some organizations are always looking for qualified nurses, others may add you to a database and reach out as opportunities arise due to natural disasters. The following organizations provide a great starting point: 

• American Red Cross (founded by a nurse!): This organization needs LPNs, RNs, and APRNs to educate and care for shelter residents both locally and internationally. 
• Doctors without Borders: This organization operates internationally and often licensed nurses to work in short- and long-term missions. 
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): This program is operated by FEMA and offers nationwide training that emergency response nurses can use in natural disaster situations. 
• International Medical Corps: This organization provides emergency healthcare to people affected by conflicts and natural disasters worldwide. 
• Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP): This is a federal volunteer registration program for public health and medical crises. LPNs, RNs, and APRNs are encouraged to register. 
• World Health Organization: This organization offers global training programs for nurses working or attempting to work in emergency response. 
• Emergency Nurse Association: This organization has invaluable resources on disaster preparedness.

If you are interested in getting more involved and helping others during and after a natural disaster, you can also work to join a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) by creating an account and profile at www.USAjobs.gov. Input your current nursing credentials as well as all certifications you have obtained and set up alerts to notify you of any disaster response nursing jobs that are posted. 

Nurses are important to disaster recovery

Nurses are heroes regardless of where they work, but they are essential in natural disaster situations. Their critical work in disaster response saves countless lives and helps communities heal and recover following a devastating event. By supporting disaster response efforts and investing in training, nurses can ensure that they are ready to respond when natural disasters occur.