Challenges Faced by Nurses in Disaster Management in Palestine: A Systematic Review

Nurses constitute the frontline workforce in disaster response; however, in protracted conflict settings such as Palestine, disaster management occurs under compounded political, infrastructural, and resource constraints. These contextual stressors may intensify psychological burden, limit preparedness, and undermine system resilience.

To synthesize empirical evidence regarding the challenges experienced by nurses in disaster management in Palestine and to identify organizational and professional implications.

This mixed-methods systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2010 and 2025. Two independent reviewers performed screening, data extraction, and methodological appraisal using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools .A convergent integrated approach was employed to synthesize quantitative and qualitative findings.

Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria. Four overarching themes were identified: (a) psychological burden, including stress, burnout, and moral distress; (b) preparedness and competency gaps; (c) organizational and systemic barriers such as infrastructure damage and movement restrictions; and (d) adaptive strategies and professional resilience. Despite significant constraints, nurses demonstrated contextual adaptability and commitment to patient care.

Disaster nursing in Palestine is shaped by intersecting structural, psychological, and operational challenges. Strengthening preparedness frameworks, workforce protection policies, and accessible psychosocial support systems is essential to enhance resilience and care quality in conflict-affected settings.