Nurses can hold such a wide range of responsibilities in the event of a disaster. Prior to a disaster even occurring, nurses play a huge role in the disaster response planning. They work to develop an understanding of the disaster preparedness and response plans. Additionally, they may educate patients and the community about the knowledge needed to make it through a disaster. This can help to reduce overall fear and anxiety during a disaster. In order to protect their families, nurses may implement personal preparation with an emergency plan and supplies within their homes so that they are prepared in the case of a disaster. During a disaster, nurses will be assigned a variety of responsibilities. They will implement the disaster plans at their workplace, triage, provide emergency treatment, and coordinate evacuations and transportations of patients. They could be tasked with delivering basic first aid and mediation and assessing the overall state of the victims. It is important that nurses understand what they are expected to do in a time of disaster and that preparation is in place.

In a time of disaster, the compassionate nature of nurses will come out, compelling us to help other that are in need. Provision 2 of the ANA code of ethics states that the nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, while provision 5 talks about how nurses owe the same duties to self as to others. These two provisions are contraindicatory of each other leading to the potential of ethical situations. My thoughts on this topic are that nurses must take care of themselves in order to care for others. In the event of a disaster, nurses play a key role in the first aid and triaging of patients. If nurses are not protecting themselves then they will not be able to perform the tasks that they need which could inhibit the safety of multiple individuals. If the nurse is protecting themselves, then many more people will be saved, and the overall outcome of the disaster will be better. With all of this being said, nurses are essential in the event of a disaster so if their safety if taken away then it will take away the safety of many others.