Evaluation of Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Levels of Nursing Students Studying in the Region During Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Nurses have important roles in the care of people affected by disasters. Incorporating disaster management into nursing higher education enhances nurses' competencies in their professional careers. This study aims to evaluate the disaster response self-efficacy of nursing students studying in the region affected by the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023. Material and Methods: The research, designed as a descriptive and cross-sectional, was conducted with 838 nursing students between March and April 2023. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Disaster Response Self-Efficacy Scale. The significance level of the study was found to be p<0.05. Results: The average age of the students was 20.72±2.09, with 78.6% being female, 49% having experienced a loss among their family or friends, and 10.1% having received disaster-related training. The participants' total scale score average was 57.92±14.17. A statistically significant difference was found between gender, class levels, receiving disaster-related training, participating in search and rescue operations in the earthquake region, and the total scale score. Conclusion: It was determined that the self-efficacy of student nurses in disaster response was at a moderate level. Keywords: Disasters, earthquakes, nursing students, self psychology.