Trends in Disaster Nursing Competency Research: A Keyword Network Analysis

Purpose: This study aimed to examine research trends and thematic keyword networks in disaster nursing competency literature published up to September 15, 2024. Methods: A retrospective descriptive design was used to analyze English-language articles retrieved from five databases (CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science) through September 15, 2024. Following PRISMA guidelines, 256 articles and 1,318 keywords were extracted. NetMiner 4.0 was used for keyword preprocessing and analysis. Word clouds and text network analyses were performed. Degree and betweenness centralities were calculated to determine keyword prominence and network roles. Results: Annual publications increased notably after 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies originated from 32 countries, with the United States, China, and Iran leading. Cross-sectional quantitative (34.0%) and qualitative studies (26.6%) were the most commonly used study designs. From 44 high-frequency keywords, “nurses,” “preparedness,” “competency,” and “disaster nursing” ranked highest in both centrality measures. “Education” and “management” also showed strong centralities. Cluster analysis revealed that preparedness and response phases were emphasized more than mitigation and recovery. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive visualization of disaster nursing competency research. Findings highlight the dominance of preparedness-focused studies, limited exploration of mitigation and recovery. Future research should prioritize broader disaster phases, standardize terminology, and conduct evidence-based intervention studies to strengthen disaster nursing practice and education.