Nurses’ roles and views in earthquake disaster relief efforts: a qualitative study

Nurses’ critical roles and responsibilities in disaster management and response differ significantly from usual nursing settings. This study aimed to examine the roles and responsibilities performed by nurses who participated in disaster relief efforts after the 2023 earthquake in Türkiye. In this qualitative and descriptive study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 nurses from the western region of Türkiye who participated in disaster relief efforts following the 2023 Türkiye earthquake. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Content analysis revealed four main themes: Roles and responsibilities after an earthquake, challenges in fulfilling nursing roles, lessons learned from the nursing experience after a disaster, and suggestions for improvement in disaster relief nursing competence. The results of the study highlight the vital roles of nurses in disaster response and provide important evidence for nurse managers regarding the planning and execution of nursing services after a disaster. The results may aid nurse educators and policy makers in improving disaster nursing training and implementing legal regulations regarding nurses’ roles and responsibilities in disaster relief provision and organization.