Nursing Training Students Learn Disaster Relief

You do not wait until clouds gather to prepare for rain. You do not wait until you turn 65 to start saving for retirement. And if you want to be a volunteer, you should not wait until disaster strikes. Prepare now!

Your current Nursing training as a nurse or healthcare provider will be invaluable in the event you are needed to respond to a wide spread disaster such as an earthquake, wildfire, flood, terrorist incident or any other calamity affecting and threatening the general population. Remember, Vocational and Registered Nurses and healthcare providers alike are trained in CPR and basic First Aid. In the event of a disaster, it's good to be knowledgeable about Good Samaritan Laws-to fully understand your rights. For example, in an emergency situation you may not be able to gain consent from the individual prior to assisting them, at which point it may be considered implied consent .

Just because you do not know for certain when disaster will strike does not mean that you cannot or should not prepare for it. Everything else about it is pretty certain: destruction, chaos, life-threatening conditions, widespread damage. As a healthcare professional you have precious life-giving skills to offer in the event of natural or man-induced calamity. And if you've been in the industry for a while, it's fair to assume you know how to handle yourself and others in a medical emergency, keeping the general public from mass hysteria.

Fortunately, you have already been trained to serve in that capacity- it is your skill, your craft, your career, your vocation and your avocation! You should take a few preliminary steps to better prepare yourself in the event your skills are called upon. There are a few key eventualities that require foresight and preparation on your part to enable you to perform effectively when you decide to contribute your time, energy and specialized skills to your community.

No one can predict when it will happen, but, disaster will strike in your town or in a neighboring country and when it does you will want to help. The specialized skills you possess as a trained healthcare provider will make you a valuable resource to provide support to all facets of disaster relief efforts. Make sure that you have the necessary additional training and skill sets to make your existing skills as helpful and therapeutic as possible.

Please see the below links if you are interested in registering for disaster relief.

Helpful Links

What is a Disaster Relief Nurse?
California Healthcare Volunteers
American Red Cross