Nurse willingness to report for work in the event of an earthquake in Israel

Ethical-legal dilemmas of nursing practice in emergencies and disasters: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To map the ethical-legal dilemmas related to nursing practice in emergency and disaster situations.

METHOD

A scoping review developed in accordance with the JBI method, whose information sources were accessed in databases, in addition to gray literature. The selection was made by reading the titles, abstracts and descriptors, observing eligibility criteria, including two reviewers and a third in case of discrepancies. After reading, data extraction and content analysis of 17 selected studies were carried out.

RESULTS

Thirteen ethical-legal dilemmas were mapped related to professional/functional duty towards the family, lack of personal protective equipment and unsafe conditions at work, preparation and availability for action, skills, limits imposed by victims' religion, obligation to provide care.

CONCLUSION

Professionals, researchers and representatives of the category need to resolve demands that involve acting in emergencies and disasters, (re)cognizing the ethical-legal dilemma, and seeking (re)legal frameworks and observance of the fundamental/ethical principles that govern the profession, in the sense to support decision-making and the development of legally safe practices.

Learning from critical care nurses' wartime experiences and their long-term impacts

BACKGROUND

The history of critical care nursing is intertwined with that of battlefield nursing, where for almost 200 years, nurses worked to save injured soldiers' lives, risking their own physical and emotional injuries. Today, with nurses increasingly deployed to provide critical care during natural, man-made and public health crises that can resemble battlefield situations, there is much to learn from battlefield nurses.

AIM

This qualitative study aims to explore the lessons of the experiences of civilian nurses deployed to Israeli battlefields in three wars between 1967 and 1982.

METHODS

Qualitative, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-two former military nurses who were deployed in three wars between 1967 and 1982. We analysed interview transcripts using a content analysis approach. COREQ, a 32-item checklist, guided method selection, data analysis and the findings' presentation.

FINDINGS

Data analysis revealed three main themes, with ten related subthemes: Field Service Challenges, Coping with Challenges, and Nurses' Need for Recognition.

CONCLUSION

The findings identify mental, emotional, and organizational issues resulting from nurses' wartime experiences, revealing numerous opportunities for better preparing and supporting critical care nurses before, during, and after crises.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Critical care nursing during crises, such as wartime, is unique but increasingly common. The memories and ongoing impact of those experiences offer invaluable information for nursing and health policy stakeholders planning for future deployments during wartime or other disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Relationship Between Nursing Students' Awareness of Disaster, Preparedness for Disaster, Willingness to Participate in Disaster Response, and Disaster Nursing Competency

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to provide basic data for preparing a disaster nursing education program. It examined the degree of nursing students' disaster awareness, disaster preparedness, willingness to participate in disaster response, and disaster nursing competency, aiming to determine the relationship between these attributes.

METHODS

This was a descriptive research study. The participants were 163 nursing students. The data collected from the participants were analyzed via descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

Disaster awareness showed a positive correlation with a willingness to participate in a disaster response. Further, disaster preparedness and willingness to participate in a disaster response showed a positive correlation with disaster nursing capacity. Disaster awareness did not show a significant correlation with disaster preparedness and disaster nursing competency. Last, disaster preparedness did not show a significant correlation with willingness to participate in a disaster response.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to improve nursing students' disaster awareness, disaster preparation, disaster response participation willingness, and disaster nursing competency. It is imperative to develop disaster nursing education programs to strengthen students' capabilities in a comprehensive manner.

Willingness to Work during Public Health Emergencies: A Systematic Literature Review

The identification of the factors underlying the willingness or lack thereof to respond to public health emergencies is paramount to informing more capable health services. The interest in this topic appears renewed with each surge of threat, either referring to natural disasters, man-made violence, or epidemic and pandemics. However, there is no systematic approach to the research patterns and related main findings concerning individual and contextual determinants. The present article contributes to this theme through a systematic literature review of a sample of 150 articles published in the last 30 years on the subject of willingness and preparedness of health professionals to deal with public health threats. Our findings show that the research is mainly phenomena and contextual driven, responding to whichever emergency threat is more salient in a given period. Geographically, research on this topic is led by USA and China, mostly solely, while European countries invest in collaborations that are more international. Universities, including health institutes and schools, and researchers at hospitals conduct most of the research on the topic. The main research areas are medicine, psychology, and psychiatry. Pandemics, including COVID-19, influenza, and natural disasters, are the phenomena gauging more attention as opposed to terrorism events and biological accidents. The specific role of health professionals within the institution, their belief in ethical duties, preparation training, and concerns regarding infection of self and family are the main variables influencing the willingness and ability to report to work in public health emergencies.

A new survey tool for evaluating pandemic preparedness in health services

Background

Rapid decision-making with limited resources and prior research to draw upon posed challenges for health service leaders globally when preparing for COVID-19. How do health services prepare for a pandemic and evaluate if the preparation has been effective? This study aimed to explore health workers’ perceptions and knowledge regarding preparedness for COVID-19 at a regional health service in Australia.

Methods

A 32-item online survey was developed to evaluate preparedness across five scales: 1) Clinical, 2) Communication, 3) Environment, 4) Human Resources, and 5) General Preparedness. Data were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric statistics and qualitative content analysis.

Results

Ninety-three employees completed the survey, with most working in clinical roles (58.1%). Respondents largely felt the health service was well-prepared (84.0%) and they were personally prepared (74.4%) to respond to COVID-19. Clinical and communication scale scores varied by role type. Respondents faced personal risk and resource shortages impacted their sense of safety; others felt adequately supported.

Conclusions

A coordinated “whole hospital response”, accessible and inclusive communication, education, adequate resourcing, and employee wellbeing supports are necessary when preparing health services for sentinel events. This survey tool offers health services an approach to evaluating pandemic preparation. Continued advocacy for resources and wellbeing needs of health workers is paramount in future preparations.

A PRISMA-driven systematic review for determination of earthquake and nursing studies

BACKGROUND

There is growing recognition worldwide of the role played by nurses in disaster management. Earthquakes account for a significant proportion of natural disasters, and merit considerable study due to the associated losses. There is, however, a gap in literature on nursing during earthquakes in terms of the scope of the studies conducted to date, and what needs to be done in the future.

OBJECTIVE

This study makes a review of the studies of earthquakes and nursing published between 2010 and 2020, and carries out a systematic analysis of the data obtained from these studies. The intention in this regard is to establish an overall picture of earthquakes and nursing, and to develop recommendations for future studies in this field.

METHODS

Studies published between 2010 and 2020 were identified from a systematic search of the CINAHL, Medline, PubMed,ScopusandWeb of Science databases using the keywords "earthquake" and "nursing". Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terminology was used to search. All identified studies were systematically reviewed and placed into either a qualitative or quantitative design.

RESULTS

A total of 19 eligible studies were identified from 665 potentially relevant articles. The findings of the study were organized under three development areas: practical, psychosocial and professional.

CONCLUSION

More research is needed in this area to gain both knowledge and skills for nurses working and caring for victims of earthquakes. This study can help to develop future research on nursing and earthquake.

Fear of COVID-19, psychological distress, work satisfaction and turnover intention among frontline nurses

AIM

To examine the relative influence of fear of COVID-19 on nurses' psychological distress, work satisfaction and intent to leave their organisation and the profession.

BACKGROUND

The emergence of COVID-19 has significantly impacted the psychological and mental well-being of frontline health care workers, including nurses. To date, no studies have been conducted examining how this fear of COVID-19 contributes to health, well-being and work outcomes in frontline nurses.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional research design involving 261 frontline nurses in the Philippines. Five standardized scales were used for data collection.

RESULTS

Overall, the composite score of the fear of COVID-19 scale was 19.92. Job role and attendance of COVID-19-related training predicted fear of COVID-19. An increased level of fear of COVID-19 was associated with decreased job satisfaction, increased psychological distress and increased organisational and professional turnover intentions.

CONCLUSIONS

Frontline nurses who reported not having attended COVID-19-related training and those who held part-time job roles reported increased fears of COVID-19. Addressing the fear of COVID-19 may result in improved job outcomes in frontline nurses, such as increased job satisfaction, decreased stress levels and lower intent to leave the organisation and the profession.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Organisational measures are vital to support the mental health of nurses and address their fear of COVID-19 through peer and social support, psychological and mental support services (e.g. counselling or psychotherapy), provision of training related to COVID-19 and accurate and regular information updates.

Hospital Nurses' Willingness to Respond in a Disaster

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the factors associated with nurses' willingness to respond in a disaster.

BACKGROUND

Nurses are key personnel in case of disasters, and therefore, understanding factors associated with willingness to respond is important.

METHODS

Questionnaires were distributed to 200 nurses recruited from 2 public hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Data were collected in January and February 2018 and 181 responses were analyzed.

RESULTS

Factors predicting willingness to respond in a disaster among public hospital nurses were level of education, self-efficacy, and disaster management competency.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing well-organized disaster preparedness and response training programs would enhance nurses' level of knowledge about disasters. In addition, training could improve nurses' self-efficacy and disaster management competency, which should enhance willingness to respond in a disaster.

Fear of COVID-19, psychological distress, work satisfaction and turnover intention among frontline nurses

AIM

To examine the relative influence of fear of COVID-19 on nurses' psychological distress, work satisfaction and intent to leave their organisation and the profession.

BACKGROUND

The emergence of COVID-19 has significantly impacted the psychological and mental well-being of frontline health care workers, including nurses. To date, no studies have been conducted examining how this fear of COVID-19 contributes to health, well-being and work outcomes in frontline nurses.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional research design involving 261 frontline nurses in the Philippines. Five standardized scales were used for data collection.

RESULTS

Overall, the composite score of the fear of COVID-19 scale was 19.92. Job role and attendance of COVID-19-related training predicted fear of COVID-19. An increased level of fear of COVID-19 was associated with decreased job satisfaction, increased psychological distress and increased organisational and professional turnover intentions.

CONCLUSIONS

Frontline nurses who reported not having attended COVID-19-related training and those who held part-time job roles reported increased fears of COVID-19. Addressing the fear of COVID-19 may result in improved job outcomes in frontline nurses, such as increased job satisfaction, decreased stress levels and lower intent to leave the organisation and the profession.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Organisational measures are vital to support the mental health of nurses and address their fear of COVID-19 through peer and social support, psychological and mental support services (e.g. counselling or psychotherapy), provision of training related to COVID-19 and accurate and regular information updates.

Emergency Preparedness Competencies Among Nurses: Implications for Nurse Administrators

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine current levels of self-reported professional emergency preparedness competence among nurses. In addition, relationships between nurse professional emergency preparedness competence, personal preparation for a disaster, and perceived likelihood of reporting to work after a disaster are examined.

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests wide gaps in nurses' familiarity with the dimensions of professional emergency preparedness competence and their likelihood to report, potentially impacting human life after a disaster.

METHODS

An exploratory, cross-sectional survey design was used with a sample of 186 RNs and licensed practical nurses.

RESULTS

Results indicate significant weaknesses in nurses' professional emergency preparedness competence. There are positive correlations between likelihood to report, personal preparedness, and professional emergency preparedness competence.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses across the United States lack sufficient competence in professional emergency preparedness. Results demonstrate the need to improve the education of nurses to meet the demands of populations in urgent situations. Action items nurse administrators can take are provided.

Survey of awareness of radiation disasters among firefighters in a Japanese prefecture without nuclear power plants

Japanese firefighting organisations are essentially run as village, town, or city units. The Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 led to the establishment of emergency support teams to ensure rapid action in response to disasters beyond the capacities of local fire departments. The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake involved both a tsunami and a radiation disaster caused by a nuclear reactor meltdown, underscoring the need for responses in complex disasters. This study aimed to assess Nagasaki Prefecture firefighters' preparedness for, awareness of, and anxiety regarding radiation disaster response with the aim of elucidating the factors affecting individuals' decisions to accept or reject assignment to a radiation disaster response team. A questionnaire survey was carried out with 1,122 firefighters in three firefighting departments in Nagasaki Prefecture, which does not have nuclear power plants. In total, 920 questionnaires were returned, and the 784 that were valid were analysed. Among the participants, 39% replied that they would have no difficulty accepting assignment to a radiation disaster response team; most of them were under 30 years old and unmarried. This group also included significantly higher percentages of participants who were confident about radiation disaster response or, if anxious, believed things would turn out fine, as well as those who replied that they were able to use the necessary equipment. Furthermore, this group had significantly higher percentages of participants who replied that they would definitely participate in seminars and those who replied that their level of preparedness for radiation disasters was sufficient. The willingness to be assigned to a radiation disaster response team was linked to confidence about radiation disaster response and about handling materials and/or equipment. Therefore, it is considered that measures to increase firefighters' confidence regarding response to radiation disasters will be linked to more proactive measures if and when such disasters occur.

Healthcare workers' willingness to respond following a disaster: a novel statistical approach toward data analysis

BACKGROUND

The willingness of healthcare workers (HCW) to respond is an important factor in the health system's response capacity during emergencies. Although much research has been devoted to exploring this issue, the statistical methods employed have been predominantly traditional and have not enabled in-depth analysis focused on absenteeism-prone employees during emergencies. The present study employs an innovative statistical approach for modeling HCWs' willingness to respond (WTR) following an earthquake.

METHODS

A validated questionnaire measuring knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward an earthquake scenario was distributed among Israeli HCWs in a hospital setting. Two regression models were employed for data analysis - a traditional linear model, and a quantile regression model that makes it possible to examine associations between explanatory variables across different levels of a dependent variable. A supplementary analysis was performed for selected variables using broken line spline regression.

RESULTS

Females under the age of forty, and nurses were the most absenteeism-prone sub-groups of employees (showed low WTR) in earthquake events. Professional commitment to care and perception of efficacy were the most powerful predictors associated with WTR across all quantiles. Both marital status (married) and concern for family wellbeing, designated as statistically significant in the linear model, were found to be statistically significant in only one of the WTR quantiles (the former in Q10 and the latter in Q50). Gender and number of children, which were not significantly associated with WTR in the linear model, were found to be statistically significant in the 25th quantile of WTR.

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to both methodological and practical aspects. Quantile regression provides a more comprehensive view of associations between variables than is afforded by linear regression alone. Adopting an advanced statistical approach in WTR modeling can facilitate effective implementation of research findings in the field.

Development, Testing, and Psychometric Qualities of the Nash Duty to Care Scale for Disaster Response

Background and Purpose: Although nurses struggle with the decision to report for work during disaster events, there are no instruments to measure nurses’ duty to care for disaster situations. The purpose of this study was to describe the development, testing, and psychometric qualities of the Nash Duty to Care Scale. Methods: A convenience sample of 409 registered nurses were recruited from 3 universities in the United States. Results: Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 19-item, 4-factor model explaining 67.34% of the variance. Internal consistency reliability was supported by Cronbach’s alpha ranging from .81 to .91 for the 4-factor subscales and .92 for the total scale. Conclusions: The psychometrically sound instrument for measuring nurses’ perceived duty to care for disasters is applicable to contemporary nursing practice, institutional disaster management plans, and patient health outcomes worldwide.

Willingness of Future Nursing Workforce to Report for Duty During an Avian Influenza Pandemic

Nursing students are the future nursing workforce. Exploring factors associated with nursing students' willingness to report for duty during an avian influenza (flu) pandemic, might help nurse managers develop strategies in advance for efficient management of personnel during a pandemic of avian flu.

AIM

To examine the factors associated with the willingness of future nursing workforce to report for duty during an avian flu pandemic, using the theory of self-efficacy.

METHODS

The study employed a cross-sectional quantitative correlational design. A convenience sample of 200 Israeli nursing students completed a questionnaire based on the theory and the literature review.

RESULTS

Approximately one-half (49%) of the students intended to report for duty during an avian flu pandemic in the future. Perceived self-efficacy and working conditions were found associated with this willingness. Male students and students from the Arab Muslim sector were more willing to report for duty during a pandemic than female students or students from the Jewish sector.

DISCUSSION

These finding may have implications for disaster planning and staffing management in health care settings during an avian flu pandemic, with the aim to ensure optimal nursing care and an efficient functioning of the entire health care system.

Disaster Preparedness in Philippine Nurses

PURPOSE

This study examined the perceived level of disaster preparedness in Philippine nurses.

DESIGN

A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used in this study.

METHODS

Two hundred nurses were invited to participate in the study, with 170 responses (105 hospital nurses and 65 community nurses) or an 85% response rate, during the months of April 2014 through July 2014. Data collection was based on interviews using a standardized instrument, the Disaster Preparedness Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means, percentages, and standard deviations were utilized to quantify the responses.

RESULTS

Three fourths of the respondents (n = 136, 80%) indicated that they were not fully prepared to respond to disasters, while only 20% (n = 34) acknowledged that they felt they were adequately prepared. Respondents believed that they could function in the primary roles of educator (n = 107, 62.94%), caregiver (n = 104, 61.17%), and counselor (n = 82, 48.24%). More than half of the respondents (n = 98, 57.7%) were not aware of existing protocols of disaster management in the workplace. Courses taken in such areas as first aid (n = 79, 46.4%), field triage (n = 43, 25.29%), and basic cardiac life support (n = 57, 33.53%) were cited as important in preparing for disasters.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses in the study revealed that they were not sufficiently prepared for disasters nor were they aware of disaster management protocols in the workplace.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Hospital administrators should consider the development and formulation of disaster management protocols and provide appropriate disaster nursing education and training. Nursing curricula should incorporate basic principles of disaster management into nursing courses as a framework for addressing this critical deficit.