title: Iranian nurses' experience of essential technical competences in disaster response: A qualitative content analysis study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Today disasters are a part of many people's lives. Iran has a long history of disaster events and nurses are one of the most significant groups within the Iranian disaster relief operations, providing immediate and long-term care for those affected by the disaster. However, the technical competence of Iranian nurses and their training for this work has received little attention. This article presents the results of a study that aims to explore this context.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews to collect data from 30 nurses, who were deliberately selected from the health centers affiliated to the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Themes were identified using the conventional qualitative content analysis. The trustworthiness of the study was supported by considering the auditability, neutrality, consistency, and transferability. The study lasted from 2011 to 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data analysis undertaken for the qualitative study resulted in the identification of five main themes, which included: (1) Management competences, (2) ethical and legal competences, (3) team working, and (4) personal abilities and the specific technical competences presented in this report.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report presents an overview of the nursing technical capabilities required for Iranian nurses during disaster relief. It is argued that additional competencies are required for nurses who care in high-risk situations, including disasters. Nurses need to prepare themselves more effectively to be responsible and effective in nursing care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran, Department of Nursing, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aliakbari
authors.affiliation: Department of Adult Health Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahrami
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Fereshteh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aein
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khankeh
keywords: Disaster nursing; response phase; technical competences