Duty in a time of disaster: a concept analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The concept of "duty" is explored particularly as it applies to disaster nursing.


OBJECTIVE
To identify the contributing factors to a nurse's sense of duty and the resulting consequences of such. Nursing implications of duty in a time of disaster are also discussed.


METHODS
Professional literature, electronic resources, and nursing textbooks were used. The analysis was done using Walker and Avant's (1995) process.


CONCLUSIONS
The concept of duty has always been prevalent in nursing. As long as nurses have a sense of duty to their communities, nurse administrators will also have a moral obligation to protect their staff, especially in a time of disaster when nurses are compelled by a heightened sense of duty.
Kane-Urrabazo
Christine
C
Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX, USA. christine@elp.rr.com
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003242:Conscience; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters / Q000517:prevention & control; D004645:Empathy; D028663:Ethical Theory; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D016294:Models, Nursing; D008960:Models, Psychological; D028681:Moral Obligations; D009042:Motivation; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000458:organization & administration; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012945:Social Values