As a nurse it is important to know the disaster plan for the facility we work in. Another helpful thing that a nurse should do in their career is to stay up to date on emergency technology. Nurses can complete trainings to be able to provide more support during emergencies. Knowing the chain of command and how leadership works at the facility is important to ensure safety and structure during the emergency. Nurses need to understand that their need during emergencies may shift from what they usually do, so they need to be understanding of the changes in their role. Nurses are often the greatest in population so it is crucial that they know their role in an emergency and understand how needed they are. 

I feel that although we are taught about disasters in school, you can never truly prepare for a disaster situation. There are so many disasters/emergencies that could occur, so the best thing to do is try to be educated and prepared for as much as you can. I feel that no matter how strong the plan is, things will always change. A nurse should provide the best care they can under the circumstances. I feel that during a disaster, it is important to keep as many people safe as possible. I feel that a disaster should be handled in terms of priority care and who has the greatest chance of survival. This is a hard concept as a nurse because it will be my duty to protect and care for patients. I think that these two provisions are kind of a balancing act. It is important to always remember that although we want to help others, we are important too and our safety and wellbeing should always be considered.