Child-centred nursing education in disaster preparedness: Strengthening knowledge and awareness

Children are among the groups most affected by disasters. Therefore, the assessment and management of children in disaster situations should not be the same as the standard approach for adults. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Disaster Paediatric Emergency Nursing education programme for undergraduate nursing students.

This research was conducted using a mixed-methods design incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. In the quantitative part of the study, which consisted of two stages, students' knowledge and educational status regarding approaches to children in disasters were examined before training sessions. In the qualitative dimension, field observations during disasters and experiences during the training process were examined using the descriptive phenomenological method. Thirty students who had taken the paediatric nursing course participated in the study.

It has been found that, prior to their education, nursing students frequently mention emergency services and field issues in disasters. They had considered the importance of managing children in disasters, but had not anticipated the possible risks. Following the training programme, it was observed that the students' perspectives had changed and developed with regard to child-centred disaster management, strategic planning, a systematic approach, multidisciplinary work, the effective management of the acute phase, paediatric emergency organisation and the development and reorganization of the existing strategic plan.

As a result of the study, it was determined that the training provided for the assessment of the child in disasters increased the level of knowledge of undergraduate nursing students and created awareness about determining the priorities of intervention to the child and managing the process. Enriching the disaster nursing education programs of nursing students in terms of content of approach to children in disasters will ensure that children are evaluated and managed with a systematic approach in disasters.