Impact of Disaster Preparedness Education on Emergency Nurses’ Knowledge, Skills, and Confidence in Managing Mass Casualty Incidents

Abstract

Background: Emergency department nurses are essential to hospital disaster response, where their readiness directly determines the effectiveness of crisis management.

Aim: The study aims to evaluate the disaster preparedness of one hundred and twenty-seven nursing staff members at King Saud Medical City, specifically examining the relationship between educational backgrounds and professional competencies

Methods: An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was done in King Saud Medical City included 120 nurses. Data was collected using the Disaster Preparedness Assessment tool and analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression to identify factors influencing performance.

Results: The findings revealed a high level of theoretical knowledge, with an average score of 3.95 out of five. Participants demonstrated a particularly strong understanding of medical screening and infection control principles. Practical skills were also rated highly, averaging 4.13, with nurses showing proficiency in using personal protective equipment and maintaining accurate patient documentation during emergencies. Furthermore, the nurses reported high levels of self-confidence and psychological readiness, with an average score of 4.09, suggesting they feel capable of managing mass casualty incidents efficiently.

​Correlation analysis indicated a significant relationship between knowledge, skills, and confidence, confirming that a strong theoretical foundation enhances both practical performance and psychological readiness. Notably, the study found that traditional training courses did not significantly impact these competencies. Gender was the only demographic factor that showed a significant influence on skills and confidence, while age, years of experience, educational level, and nationality had no substantial effect.

Conclusion: The preparedness and professional competencies of the surveyed nurses are high.