The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has become the worst environmental disaster in the history of the United States having an impact on everything from wildlife to local businesses, to tourism, to the nurses currently working in Louisiana and surrounding areas. As the entire nation comes to terms with the endless negative effects of the oil spill so do the registered nurses who must cope with the tragedy firsthand.

So soon after Hurricane Katrina is yet another disaster to contend with and the state government of Louisiana has been working in conjunction with the board of nursing to help ensure that hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices and the like are adequately staffed to treat residents, workers, and members of the cleanup crews for exposure to the oil. However, many are concerned that the area's existing heath care system won't be able to keep up with the increased need that is expected and hope that many more will join the admirable profession of nursing so that in the future, a lack of medical treatment is never an option. Currently, it's an imperative that trained nurses from other geographical locations join the ranks.

One ongoing concern is in regards to the effects the oil spill is creating combined with all the lingering aftereffects of Katrina. This includes financial and emotional stressors, in addition to a myriad of health complaints such as heat stress, insect bites, and skin irritations. Beyond the matter of physical ailments lies the very real issue of increased instances of mental anxiety experienced by residents, fishermen, business people, cleanup crews, and even health care workers, which are compounded by worries about the long term consequences of the oil spill.

Nurses in the area are also faced with the important task of educating the public on various ways of protecting their health in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill such as safeguarding against air pollutants, how to treat skin exposed to oil, and how to know if foods and drinking water are safe for consumption. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have outlined some helpful information on What to Expect from the oil spill and How to Protect Your Health.

Nurses are also in the ideal position to alleviate patients' fears and help to separate fact from fiction when it comes to coping with the oil spill's deep impact on the country as we face the long road to recovery. For more information about the hazardous affects of this national disaster and how the CDC is responding, click here.