The Effects of Disaster Training Education on the Attitudes, Preparedness, and Competencies in Disaster Nursing of Hospital Nurses

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine the effects of a disaster training education for hospital nurses in terms of attitudes, preparedness, and competence of disaster nursing. Methods: One group pretest and posttest design was adopted. Data were collected from April 20th to May 20th, 2017 using 80 hospital nurses enrolled at a tertiary hospital located in D city. Results: The levels of attitudes (t=-2.31, p=.024), preparedness (t=-7.67, p<.001), and competencies (t=-16.82, p<.001) of disaster nursing at the posttest were significantly higher than those of the pretest. There were statistically significant relationships among nurses' attitudes, preparedness, and competencies of disaster nursing. The attitudes and preparedness of disaster nursing had significant effects on the competencies of disaster nursing. Conclusion: Disaster training education improved attitudes, preparedness, and competencies of disaster nursing in hospital nurses. Therefore, it is recommended to develop more practical disaster training education programs toward hospital nurses as well as nursing students as a way to enhance the competence of disaster nursing.