Nurses are at the frontline of disaster management, placing them under enormous strain as extreme weather conditions continue to proliferate. According to the Climate Council, more than two-thirds of Australians report being directly affected by natural disasters such as bushfires, floods, and heatwaves.
With more than 10 million Australians living in areas of high to hazardous heat risk, the pressures on the health system cannot be ignored. Nurses need dedicated training and strong leadership to better navigate both the crisis and the recovery.
Nurses carry a heavy load on the disaster frontline
Nurses are often the first point of contact for those affected by natural disasters. Whether they work in hospitals, clinics, evacuation centres or mobile response units, nurses responding to large-scale emergencies deliver services well beyond clinical care. Their responsibilities include:
- Providing immediate medical care and stabilising injuries
- Triaging patients in stressful, often resource-poor environments
- Communicating with emergency responders, government agencies, and the community
- Assessing needs such as supplies and personnel, and advocating for resources
- Helping survivors and fellow responders deal with trauma
Nurses also serve as coordinators and advocates – roles that require both clinical skill and leadership capacity.
Onerous disaster responsibilities for rural nurses
The impact of disasters varies dramatically for those working in metropolitan areas and nurses in rural or remote regions. In urban settings, nurses typically work within larger multidisciplinary teams and have access to more resources, advanced equipment, and specialist care. While they may still be overwhelmed by patient surges and infrastructure breakdowns during large-scale disasters, such as during the pandemic, there is generally more immediate support.
Rural and remote nurses are often the only healthcare providers in their communities, leaving them to manage on their own in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. A report in the Rural and Remote Health journal found that, as well as providing emergency triage and care, these nurses also manage evacuation logistics, community coordination, and trauma support.
Rural Australia is also disproportionately affected by natural disasters, the Climate Council has noted, with 53% likely to have experienced one or more flood events or bushfires.
This disparity points to a critical need for tailored strategies, with management and nurse leaders working with other stakeholders to develop plans to properly equip nurses to respond effectively, regardless of location.
Nurses play a pivotal role in trauma recovery
Disasters do not end when the flames are extinguished or the floodwaters recede. The psychological aftermath can be severe and long-lasting. Extreme weather events can affect mental and physical health, as well as provoke eco-anxiety.
Nurses are pivotal to trauma recovery, especially in rural and remote areas where mental health services may be limited or non-existent.
In its submission to the 2024 Senate report on Australia’s disaster resilience, the Department of Health and Aged Care pointed to the rise in mental health issues, as well as domestic violence, alcohol and substance abuse in the wake of natural disasters. “Long-term mental health impacts are also linked to the practical challenges of rebuilding after a natural disaster,” the submission says.
Mental health nurses play an important role in helping those directly affected manage distress and anxiety, as well as identifying risks at a more systemic level.
Helping nurses prepare for the worst
Nurse leaders can drive meaningful change in disaster preparedness by advocating for nurses on the frontline, as well as working with them to assess risks, plan responses, and mitigate outcomes. This includes:
- Championing disaster preparedness training through regular simulations and continuing education
- Developing clear emergency protocols and communication hierarchies
- Fostering a culture of psychological safety and resilience
- Liaising with external emergency services and stakeholders
- Ensuring that nurses are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need
With many nurses reporting they feel unprepared for disaster situations, strong leadership is critical. The widespread gaps in emergency preparedness curricula in Australia and a lack of integration between nursing education and emergency management strategies add to the pressure on nurse leaders to improve disaster responses.
Other countries have made substantial investments in disaster training for nurses. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) includes disaster preparation as a core competency for students. In the wake of the 1995 Kobe earthquake, the Japanese Nursing Association (JNA) introduced disaster support nurses, who leverage practical experience and training in disaster nursing to provide support in any disaster zone.
Pushing for a stronger disaster response
As natural disasters become more frequent and devastating, the need for a nationally coordinated approach has never been greater.
Health service executives and government authorities must support efforts by embedding disaster preparedness into strategic plans and allocating resources accordingly. This requires investment in infrastructure, staff development, and interagency coordination.
Nurse leaders need to be part of the planning for disasters, not just the response, so they can better prepare and support those on the ground.
Find out more about how Lippincott® Solutions can support nurses in Australia’s healthcare settings.
