Nurses’ Emergency Preparedness in Disaster-Prone Areas of Pangasinan

Nurses in disaster-prone areas of Pangasinan are essential for emergency preparedness and response. In Pangasinan is often affected by natural disasters, it is essential to evaluate the preparedness of nurses in managing large-scale calamities. This study examines the present condition of nurses' emergency preparedness in the province, emphasizing their area of practice, years of experience, highest educational attainment, and relevant training attended. This research employed a descriptive-evaluative methodology to assess the preparedness of nurses in Pangasinan. Data were gathered via surveys from 112 nurses across level II healthcare institutions, concentrating on area of practice, years of experience, highest educational attainment, and relevant training attended. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize the data, while evaluative approaches were employed to analyze the correlation between training and preparation. The predominant percentage of nurses operated in the Emergency Room (48.2%) and Medical Wards (20.5%), which are vital sectors during disaster response. A majority of nurses have one year or less of experience (36.6%), whereas 85.7% held a Bachelor’s Degree. A substantial percentage of nurses lacked specialized disaster training, with 56.3% indicating they had not undergone relevant disaster preparedness training. Merely 29.5% had participated in Emergency Management training. These findings underscore deficiencies in disaster-specific preparedness and training. The findings indicate that although nurses in Pangasinan occupy crucial roles in disaster response, their preparedness is constrained by insufficient specialized training. Mitigating these deficiencies through focused training and resources is crucial for enhancing catastrophe preparedness.