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Exploring Advanced Nursing Practice during Australian Disasters:
A Scoping Review

L. Conlon 1

1
Adelaide Nursing School, The University of Adelaide, Australia

Background: It is a reality that emergency and disaster events occur daily worldwide. As the largest
body of health care professionals, nurses are looked upon to deliver care, provide leadership and
support during these challenging events. The complex role of the advanced practice nurse is often
misunderstood.

Objective: The aim of this scoping review was to explore the role of the advanced practice nurse in
disasters.

Methods: This scoping review was guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. This scoping review
searched five relevant databases (Embase, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and and Ovid. Three members
of the research team (AH, LC and MK) reviewed all abstract in order to determine appropriate studies
to be included in this review.The research team then, contributed to the development of this research.
A scoping review design was chosen as the authors expected that evidence in the field would be
produced using a wide variety of methodologies.

Results: During a disaster, nurses are often required to work long hours with hospitals and these
nurses becoming the centre of events and the “go to” place/person during a disaster. Nurses often
have little sleep, have limited time to meet their individual/personal needs, and frequently put
others needs before themselves. Nurses reported that they had to have work while they were worried
for themselves and their families, but that this had to be put to the side. They also reported feeling
Oral Presentation Abstracts
capable and reported that all their experience and skills came to the fore during these challenging
situations.

Conclusion: During disasters, most nurses are found to be flexible and adaptable, with many taking
on a variety of roles. Nurses are quick to find solutions with problem-solving keys and their ability to
respond to disasters “just what you do.” It is evident that these nurses work beyond conventional limits
during a disaster.

Keywords: advanced nursing practice, disasters, nursing, nursing practice

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Correspondence: Lisa Conlon, Adelaide Nursing School, The University of Adelaide, Australia
E-mail: lisa.conlon@adelaide.edu.au

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