Consideration and issues related to the life support nursing students can provide to people living in evacuation shelters after a disaster

Abstract

【Objective】 This study examined the life support nursing students can provide to people living in evacuation shelters after a disaster and the issues that need to be addressed. 【Methods】 We compared the items in reference 1, “Guidelines for the Health Care of People Living in Evacuation Shelters,” and reference 2, “Evacuation Shelter Operation Manual,” with those in reference 3, “Technical Items in Nursing Education and Achievement Level Learning Items upon Graduation.” We also identified nursing skill items that nursing students could implement and found difficult to implement. Furthermore, we identified issues in applying nursing skills. 【Results】 We found that 10 (29.4%) out of 34 items in six categories of daily living assistance, 8 (36.4%) out of 22 items in four types of inlaid aid in diagnosis and treatment, and 8 (53.3%) out of 15 items in three categories of basic nursing skills were feasible, corresponding to data 1 and 2. Items that were difficult to implement in references 1 and 2 included procurement of supplies and shelter operation and management. One of the challenges in providing life support was the impact of the differences between the onsite training and the environment at the shelter. 【Consideration】 It was considered necessary to integrate the existing knowledge and check the students’ level of nursing skills in advance of implementing the life support and to support the faculty from before to after the support. 【Conclusion】 This study confirmed that with sufficient safety and support under the guidance of faculty members, nursing students could be useful human resources in times of disaster.