The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze data on nursing students’ perception of disaster preparedness before and after attendance at formal disaster preparedness training. The researchers also aimed to determine the feasibility and value of inclusion of the training in the nursing curriculum. The study population consisted of twenty-three third semester baccalaureate nursing students. The subjects completed a disaster self-perception evaluation tool (DPET) to measure disaster preparedness pre and post attendance at formal two-day training at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) located in Anniston, Alabama. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Data showed that pre-training disaster knowledge, preparedness, and knowledge of role function increased significantly following formal training at the CDP in Alabama.
Keywords: nursing, nursing students, disaster preparedness, disaster training