title: Emergency nurse perceptions of individual and facility emergency preparedness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Disasters of any variety can occur at any given moment. Emergency departments are at the forefront of the response system, serving as the gateway to the most appropriate care of victims. The intent of the survey described in this article was to assess nurses' perception of their role in a disaster and their perceived susceptibility to a disaster. In addition, basic knowledge and role preparation was reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive survey using survey methodology was utilized. The 56-question survey, including 16 demographic questions, was developed for the purpose of this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results reflect that many emergency nurses have not taken basic actions to prepare themselves for a disaster, either personally or professionally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article highlights the importance of disaster education geared to the needs of the emergency nurse.
authors.affiliation: RWJ Hamilton, Hamilton, NJ, USA. eam1944@aol.com
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Whetzel
authors.forename: Gayle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Walker-Cillo
authors.forename: Garrett K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trivett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002959:Civil Defense; D003666:Decontamination; D004189:Disaster Planning; D016529:Emergency Nursing; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D014218:Triage