Iranian nurses’ perception of essential competences in disaster response: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Today disasters, natural and man-made, are a part of many people's lives. Iran has a long history of disaster events. Nurses are one of the most significant groups within Iranian disaster relief operations, providing immediate and longer term care for those affected by the disaster. However, the competence of Iranian nurses and their training for this work has received little attention. This paper presented the results of a study aimed to explore the context. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study was performed in 2012 in Iran. Interviews were conducted with 35 nurses. The sampling of participants was purposeful and continued until data saturation was achieved. Themes were identified using inductive qualitative content analysis. Trustworthiness of the study was supported considering auditability, neutrality, consistency, and transferability. FINDINGS: Data analysis undertaken for the qualitative study resulted in the identification of five main themes included 1-management competences, 2- ethical and legal competences, 3-team working, 4-personal competences, and specific technical competences that presented in this report. CONCLUSIONS: This report presents an overview of nursing competences required for Iranian nurses in disaster relief. It is argued that additional competencies are required for nurses who care in high-risk situations, including disaster. Nurses need to prepare themselves more effectively to be responsible and effective in the nursing care.