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Gale A. Spencer, RN, PhD and Laura Kasey, RN, MS. Decker School of Nursing, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, 607-777-6003, gspencer@binghamton.edu
Based on the unprecedented disasters of the last decade, the need for community/public health nursing to respond to emerging public health threats has become apparent. Public health professionals must be well prepared to respond to both the physical and psychological needs related to: natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and floods; to manmade disasters such as the school shootings of Columbine CO and the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City, to the wild fires in the Western United States, to the chemical spills on highways and into ground water, and now to the threat of bio-terrorism in the form of wide spread epidemics of anthrax and smallpox. This paper discusses the development and implementation of two web based graduate nursing courses designed to prepare community/public health nurses who may not be able to obtain this information in their local area. These courses allow rural nurses to access these courses from their homes or work sites. Preparing health care professionals is particularly important in rural areas as disasters often occur in rural areas where they may be the first responders. They are also called on to respond in large urban disasters when the urban setting needs respite or additional help. Having knowledgeable and prepared health care professionals with the ability to anticipate a disaster and plan for the possibility of multiple outcomes strengthens the community’s ability to adapt.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Response, Disasters
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am employed by Binghamton University