Course Summary
Disasters don’t wait for the perfect moment. From pandemics and wildfires to mass shootings and hurricanes, nurses are often the first—and sometimes only—line of defense when emergencies strike. Whether you’re in a hospital hallway, a mobile triage tent, or an airport clinic, the responsibility is real… and the need for preparation is urgent.
“The Nurse’s Role in Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response” equips nurses with the critical knowledge and practical tools to respond effectively in times of crisis. This one-hour course empowers you to understand disaster response frameworks, perform under pressure, and protect your patients—and yourself—when every second counts.
You’ll explore how to assess readiness, coordinate with interdisciplinary teams, implement emergency protocols, and adapt on the fly. You’ll also gain insight into ethical decision-making, communication strategies, and how to support recovery after the chaos settles.
Designed to meet the continuing education needs of today’s healthcare professionals, this course is especially relevant for hospital-based nurses, public health teams, and travel nurses who may be called to unfamiliar environments with little notice. After completing this course, you’ll walk away not just informed—but ready to lead.
Because when the unthinkable happens… nurses show up.
Course Description
In a world increasingly marked by unexpected emergencies—pandemics, wildfires, active shooter events, mass casualty incidents—nurses are being called upon to respond quickly, calmly, and effectively in the face of crisis. But true readiness takes more than courage. It requires preparation, knowledge, and confidence in your role during every phase of emergency response.
“The Nurse’s Role in Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response” is a dynamic one-hour continuing education course that provides essential training for nurses across all specialties. Whether you’re working in an ER, a rural health clinic, or deployed as a travel nurse, this course equips you to take action when disaster strikes.
You’ll learn about national and local emergency response frameworks, explore your legal and ethical responsibilities, and discover practical strategies for performing triage, managing surge capacity, and communicating under pressure. You’ll also gain insight into the psychological impact of disasters—and how nurses can support both patients and peers during recovery.
This course is designed for real-world application. It will help you understand your role in every phase of emergency management: preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. Through evidence-based content and engaging case studies, you’ll build the confidence and skills to be not only a responder, but a leader.
Approved for continuing education credit by the California Board of Registered Nursing, this course is a must-have for hospital-based nurses, travel nurses, and healthcare professionals committed to public safety.
Because when every second counts, your preparation makes the difference.
Author: NIHE Faculty
CE Hours: 1
Course Created on: 04/21/25 Course Expires on: 04/20/27
Target Audience:
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN)
Completion Requirements:
- Enrollment in the course by the learner
- Read and learn all course materials
- Complete the course evaluation
- Attest and testify learning of the course materials
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest and Relevant Financial Relationships
Neither National Institute for Healthcare Education nor any authors, planners, content experts, or contributors have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
Accreditation Statement:
National Institute for Healthcare Education, the parent company of TopNurseCE.com, is a CA Board of Registered Nursing CE Provider #13886. In this course, we will discuss how the nurses role in Disaster Preparedness and Response. It will take the average learner 1 hour to complete.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this course is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider in considering diagnosis and treatment options for a particular patient’s medical condition. Copyright © 2024: All rights reserved. No part of the materials may be reproduced without the express written consent of TopNurseCE.com Professional Educational Institution. The content of this course is intended to provide general information on the topics covered. This information has been prepared by experts with practical experience in the subject matter. This should not be considered medical, legal or professional advice. TopNurseCE.com recommends that individuals contact a licensed medical, legal or professional provider in their respective state. While TopNurseCE.com uses reasonable efforts to ensure that all content provided in this course is accurate and current at the time of publication, TopNurseCE.com makes no representations as to its applicability to your particular situation. No guarantees are given and reliance on them does not constitute liability. Testimonials are collected from feedback surveys submitted by customers. The model presented is for representation purposes and is not intended for actual customers.
Course Outline
The Nurse’s Role in Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response
Section I: Introduction to Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response
- Types of disasters: natural, technological, human-caused
- The role of nurses in disaster readiness
- National frameworks: FEMA, NIMS, HICS
Section II: The Four Phases of Emergency Management
- Preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery
- Key nursing responsibilities in each phase
- Role of training and drills
Section III: Triage, Surge Capacity, and Crisis Standards of Care
- Mass casualty triage systems (START, SALT)
- Managing scarce resources and patient prioritization
- Crisis standards of care and ethical considerations
Section IV: Interprofessional Coordination and Communication
- Incident Command System (ICS)
- Communication under pressure
- Coordinating with public health, EMS, military, and NGOs
Section V: Psychological Impact and Support in Disasters
- Trauma-informed care and psychological first aid
- Caring for patients, families, and colleagues
- Preventing compassion fatigue and nurse burnout
Section VI: Real-World Case Studies and Call to Action
- Lessons learned from COVID-19, Hurricane Katrina, and more
- Practical takeaways for your work setting
- How to stay ready: checklists, continuing education, leadership mindset
Each section will conclude with multiple-choice review questions and rationales.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Define the nurse’s role within the context of emergency preparedness and disaster response frameworks.
- Differentiate the four phases of emergency management and identify appropriate nursing actions in each phase.
- Describe triage principles and surge strategies used during mass casualty events.
- Explain how nurses coordinate with interdisciplinary teams and communicate during crises.
- Recognize the psychological impact of disasters on patients and healthcare providers.
- Apply evidence-based strategies to improve personal and organizational readiness for emergency response.
