Nurses’ Willingness and Competence to Work During Disasters and Their Related Factors: Case Study of a State Hospital in Turkey

Disasters put high burden on healthcare workers. This study aims to determine the willingness and competence of nurses to work during disasters who were employed in a state hospital in Bolu, Turkey and also investigate the related socio-demographic factors.

This descriptive study was carried out on 311 nurses working in a state hospital in the center of Bolu city in Turkey. A researcher-made questionnaire with 35 items as well as a questionnaire with 45 items assessing the basic skills of nurses for preparation in disasters were used to collect data.

Most participants were undecided about working during disasters. Most of them were willing to work in earthquakes, while they had less willingness to work during pandemics. Nurses who were single, male, had no phobias, had hobbies, had no children, had a dependent person in the family, had membership in NGOs, and had Hospital Disaster Plan knowledge were more willing to work during disasters (P<0.05). Nurses who were single, male, had hobbies, and had a role in Hospital Disaster Plan had more competence to work during disasters (P<0.05).

Most nurses in Turkey are undecided about working during disasters. Medical centers should use the nurses that have more willingness and competence to work during disasters.