1 RN Roles

When a disaster occurs, nurses become critical in the first stage of disaster management. A nurse’s role in disaster response will include activating the disaster plan in the hospital they are working in, triaging patients, providing emergency care, and planning transportation and evacuation of patients to other facilities (Al Harthi et al., 2020). Because of the important role a nurse plays in disaster response, it is essential they stay up to date on trainings and potential disaster response plans their facility may utilize. The preparation and education of a nurse in disaster response is critical for patient safety and effective rescue measurements. It is also important for nurses to have clear leadership along with clear policies, as it has been found nurses previously involved with disaster response have experienced psychological distress as a result of ineffective management, communication and resources (Xue et al., 2020)

2. Key Elements for Safety (Self & Patient)

Following the protocols and policies set out by the facility you work for, along with the standards set out by the state, is a great way to ensure safety for myself and the patients I care for. It is important to be knowledgeable and up to date on regulations and policies in place to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. If a healthcare professional stays within their scope of practice and follow facility protocols, then they are doing what is appropriate for them. Veering away from that creates a greater chance of putting yourself and your patients in unsafe situations.

Respond to the 2 classmate’s main thread using a minimum of 1 journal article in the response to support response. The response should be at least 4 sentences in length.