title: Nursing in the emergency department (ED) during a disaster: a review of the current literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this review was to explore the current literature about working as a nurse in the emergency department (ED) during a disaster. Nurses play an important role in caring for patients that present to the ED following a disaster. While there is a great deal of literature written about disasters and disaster response, little has been written from the emergency nursing perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature was identified through electronic databases from 2000 to 2011. Articles were reviewed if they provided discussion relevant to nursing in the ED during a disaster.
  
  
  RESULTS
  18 articles met the criteria. Five themes emerged from the review. There were two key findings: changes from a 'normal' working day to a disaster; and the preparedness of nurses working in the ED during a disaster.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The literature highlights concern about the preparedness of ED nurses for disaster response and the capacity of nurses to transition to working in a disaster situation.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, SA, Australia. karen.hammad@flinders.edu.au
authors.forename: Karen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hammad
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arbon
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gebbie
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hutton
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016529:Emergency Nursing; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015399:Nursing Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010558:Personnel Loyalty