Within the event of a disaster, the nurse’s primary roles and responsibilities, whether it is natural or manmade include many things. First and foremost it is important to know the emergency operating plan. This further delves into providing emergency treatment for people who need it which can include triaging. Additionally nurses are responsible to help in the coordination of evacuation and transportation of patients to other medical facilities. Fundamentally it boils down to knowing the emergency plan and providing emergency treatment.

At the end of the day if I’m swimming in the ocean and see a shark coming I’m getting myself out of the water. I’m not looking to save the others first and that’s just the truth of it. First you have to take care of yourself. Yes I want to help others and I often put others lives first but at the end of day this is a job and though it may be heroic and be a bit of a societal expectation that we as trusted professions save others first I believe it shouldn’t be the requirement. For example, let’s put into play other situations. If there was an active shooter at the hospital, at hospitals I’ve worked at we are taught to run, hide and fight which emphasizes to run away so that you have enough staff to come back and provide medical assistance to the wounded. I feel that it should be the same guidline for disasters that yes, you are allowed to stay and care for the others but first have a duty to yourself.