Jordanian nurses' perceptions of their preparedness for disaster management

To assess Jordanian RNs' perceptions regarding their knowledge, skills, and preparedness for disaster management.

Current disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness levels need to be evaluated to guide plans for effective educational programs. There is also a need to know where RNs received their knowledge, skills, and preparation, to enhance or improve future educational opportunities.

Cross-sectional survey where the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET(®)) was distributed to Jordanian RNs who work in three randomly selected Ministry of Health hospitals and two university hospitals.

Four hundred and seventy-four participants completed the survey. Sixty-five per cent of respondents described their current disaster preparedness as weak: 18% medium: 12% good; and 5% felt their preparation was very good. Thirty-one per cent received disaster education in undergraduate programs; 8% in graduate nursing programs; 31% in facility drills, and 22% in continuing education courses. Eleven per cent had participated in a real disaster. Four hundred and thirty RNs wanted to learn more about RNs role in disasters, including knowledge and skills.

Knowledge,skills, and disaster preparedness need continual reinforcement to improve self efficacy for disaster management.

There is a need for a consistent national nursing curriculum for disaster preparedness and nationwide drills to increase disaster knowledge, skills, preparedness, and confidence.