An Innovative Approach to Creating a Disaster Simulation

 Scenes from the Disaster Simulation held on November 15, 2024

As natural and human-made disasters continue to rise, the need for disaster preparedness in nursing education has never been greater. To address this, an innovative teaching strategy was integrated into the Undergraduate Nursing Program curriculum, empowering students to create and participate in their own disaster simulations. This simulation was first implemented three years ago as part of the NURS405 Care of Community clinical requirement. 

The process began with group planning, where students brainstormed, set objectives, studied disease pathophysiology, developed supply lists, and constructed rubrics to evaluate outcomes. At the semester's culmination, the class participated in a dynamic disaster simulation. Each student assumed a role—patient, narrator, or triaging nurse—bringing the scenario to life with realism and critical engagement. Patients embodied their roles through costumes and emotional portrayals, while narrators provided additional details, such as medical signs patients couldn’t emulate. Triaging nurses assessed, treated, and prioritized care using limited resources, sharpening their decision-making skills under pressure. 

Following the simulation, a debriefing session used student-created rubrics to guide reflections and discussions. The experience then transitioned to the Experimental Learning Commons for an ICU simulation. Here, students cared for victims of the community disaster, practicing assessments and interventions in a hospital setting. 

This dual-phase approach enhanced students’ disaster management capabilities, teamwork, and collaboration. It also provided valuable insights into the distinctions between community-based and hospital-based nursing care, preparing future nurses to meet the demands of crisis situations with confidence and competence. 

About the Nursing BSN Program at Saint Francis University

Earn a Prestigious BSN Degree from Saint Francis University - With access to state-of-the-art technology in our Experimental Learning Commons and a curriculum rooted in Franciscan values, our students are prepared to become ethical, compassionate professionals. Faculty dedication and opportunities like volunteering in university-sponsored clinics and attending national nursing conventions help students build skills and connections.