When I first decided I wanted to go into nursing the thought of natural disasters came to my mind. Worried about what my role would be and more worried that I won’t be prepared. During a disaster, of any kind, a nurse will play an important role. Nurses are responsible in helping to initiate the start of the disaster protocol. They also will work to triage patients and evacuate ones that can. Lasty a nurse can help to treat people during disasters. Nurses have many hats to wear when it comes to disaster nursing. Therefore, having a plan and sticking to it is very important, so people don’t get confused about what their role entails. 

Nurses are very compassionate people. It’s no wonder why nurses are seen as one of the most trustworthy professionals. I’ve seen a lot of nurses be selfless because they are. When it comes to disaster nursing though this may cause an ethical dilemma within themselves. When looking at the ANA code we see some contradictions, or what I believe to cause contradictions. I feel like the self provision being #5 while patient is #2 just goes to show how nurses think as to what they believe is important. I personally know that I would feel selfish putting myself before a patient. But as we’ve seen with nursing burnout, nurses need to start thinking of themselves first. I feel like the way these provisions are written it almost makes provision #5 seem more as a choice rather than a duty to self. I think a lot of nurses, in the event of a disaster, would have personal ethical dilemmas regarding these provisions.