Citation
Baack, S., & Alfred, D. (2013). Nurses’ preparedness and perceived competence in managing disasters. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 45(3), 281-287.
| Week 5 Template | Check the correct method used in your article
ü QuantitativeQualitative |
| Identify the research problem
|
Despite the crucial roles played by nurses in mitigating effects of disasters, studies analyzing American nurses’ disaster preparedness are few. As such, there is lack of enough evidence to indicate nurses’ readiness(Baack, & Alfred, 2013). |
| Identify the research purpose | Baack, and Alfred, (2013) in their descriptive correlational research aimed at establishing therural nurses’ readiness to manage disasters |
| Summarize the literature review | In the contemporary world, disasters are inevitable and therefore necessitating nurses to assume expanded roles during disasters. According to Gebbie and Qureshi (2002) such roles include caring for the sick and injured, infection control, triage, mass evacuations, mass treatment of casualties, contingency planning and mass immunizations.
Despite the distinct roles that nurses should play during disasters, there is a belief by many that most states in the USA harbor nurses that are largely unprepared for responding and managing major disaster events (Twedell, 2009). Notwithstanding, Fung, Lai and Loke, (2009) are of the opinion that there is a paucity of studies focusing on various aspects of disaster nursing. Finally, the rural nursing workforce hasits unique disaster preparedness challenges that are worth considering. They include geographic isolation, reduced achievement of higher degrees by nurses, budget constraints and delays in treatment initiation (Skillman, Palazzo, Keepnew & Hart, 2006). |
| Identify the framework or theoretical perspective
|
The theoretical framework informing this research is the Deci’s self-determinism theory (SDT). Central to this SDT is the claim that people are organisms actively seeking environmental challenges for the achievement of personal growth and development.SDT was appropriate for this study since it is consistent with the desired outcome of this study (establishing factors influencing nurses’ actions for the attainment of personal growth and development in readiness for facing major disasters)(Baack, & Alfred, 2013). |
| Identify the research questions or hypotheses
|
Baack, and Alfred, (2013) focused on answering the following research questions:
1. What is the perceived competence of rural nurses regarding their disaster preparedness? 2. Which of the variables- individual differences (age, years of experience, and previous disaster experience), self-regulation, and healthcare climate- most influence perceived competence in disaster preparedness? 3. Is there a predictive relationship between self-regulation scores and perceived competence in disaster preparedness? (283) |
| Identify the variables (dependent & independent)
and demographic variables |
Dependent variables: competence in disaster preparedness
Independent variables: individual differences (age, years of experience, and previous disaster experience), self-regulation, and healthcare climate Demographic variables: age, years of experience, and previous disaster experience(Baack, & Alfred, 2013) |
| Identify and discuss
appropriateness of design |
The researchers utilized a descriptive, correlational design in this study. The design is appropriate for this study since it enables the researchers to establish the relationship between the variables of interest in this study(Baack, & Alfred, 2013). |
| Discuss the validity and reliabilityof the instruments, tools, or survey. | The research instrument of interest in this research was a 58-item Disaster Readiness Questionnaire, which incorporated elements of the EPIQ (Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire). The EPIQ is a tool with known efficacy of assessing civilian nurses’ perceived familiarity with emergency preparedness competency dimensions.Based on its efficacy in past studies, the instrument is valid and reliable(Baack, & Alfred, 2013). |
| Discuss the significance of the study; were research questions resolved | Precisely, the study was able to address all the research questions fully. The study is significant in the sense that it reveals the competence of nurses to handle disasters and their deficiencies in handling the same. As such, it serves benchmark for institutions seeking to improve the competency of its staff(Baack, & Alfred, 2013). |
| Discuss legal and ethical issues of study; were
human subjects protected |
The research fails to highlight how it protected its included participants. An account of institutional review board approval is not apparent to suggest the same. |
| Discuss any cultural aspects of the study. | Primarily, the study has no cultural aspects that are worth noting in this case. |
| Describe the final sample
|
The final sample size for this study was 620 and was attainable from two main rural healthcare systems and two small rural hospitals within Panhandle, north and central Texas. It represents 25% of the accessible nurse employees within the study area (2480) who responded to the email link provided to them (Baack, & Alfred, 2013) |
| Describe the procedures used to collect data
|
Central to the data collection was the use of a 58-item Disaster Readiness Questionnaire, which had four main sections that relate with the dependent variables(Baack, & Alfred, 2013). |
| Summarize the results including statistical analyses performed or other method of analysis | Baack, and Alfred, (2013) established that most of the studied nurses were not confident with their competency of responding to major disaster events. Prior actual experience and self-regulation of behavior were significant predictors increased perception of nursing competence.
Of significance to the data analysis was standard multiple regressions, which helped in the establishment of a relationship between the studied variables. |
| Describe how results of research may impact future nursing practice | The established results have the potential to impact nursing practice significantly since they affirm that nurses need to have actual participation in disaster events if their perceived competence of disaster preparedness response is to improve. Based on this study’s findings, healthcare institutions are thus able to encourage its nurses to participate in mock disaster drills as well as actual disaster events, which significantly improve the nursing practice. |
| Describe how research can be applied to student’s nursing practice | In student’s nursing practice, the research will come in handy when encouraging nursing students not to shy away from taking part in actual as well as mock disaster events. That is the case since the study affirms that such an experience is necessary for improved perception of one’s own competency of disaster preparedness response. |
References
Baack, S., & Alfred, D. (2013). Nurses’ preparedness and perceived competence in managing disasters. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 45(3), 281-287.
Gebbie, K. M., & Qureshi, K. (2002). Emergency and Disaster Preparedness: Core Competencies for Nurses: What every nurse should but may not know. AJN The American Journal of Nursing, 102(1), 46-51.
Olivia, F. W., Claudia, L. K., & Yuen, L. A. (2009). Nurses’ perception of disaster: implications for disaster nursing curriculum. Journal of clinical nursing, 18(22), 3165-3171.
Skillman, S. M., Palazzo, L., Keepnews, D., & Hart, L. G. (2006). Characteristics of registered nurses in rural versus urban areas: implications for strategies to alleviate nursing shortages in the United States. The Journal of Rural Health, 22(2), 151-157.
Twedell, D. (2009). Duty to care. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 40(2), 53-54.
