Iranian Nurses' Experience of Management Competences in Disaster Response: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Aim: To explore management competencies required by nurses responding to disasters Method: This article discusses the findings of a descriptive qualitative study conducted in Iran in 2016-2017. Through face-to-face semi structured interviews, thirty-five nurses with experience in disaster relief were asked about the skills they need to respond to a disaster event as a nurse. Results: From this study, five themes emerged as areas that nurses require competence in to work effectively in the disaster setting. This article focuses on one theme, nursing management in disaster response. This theme is divided into two main sub themes. The first; disaster scene coordination has two subcategories - psychoemotional stress management and scene safety. The second sub theme; management of human and other resource also has two sub categories - assessment of required human and other resources and operational coordination and management of resources. Conclusion: The findings of this study emphasize the need for nurses working in the disaster setting to be aware of professional responsibilities and familiar with management skills related to disaster situations.