Undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students preparing for leadership roles in public health nursing: Integrating NIMS framework and MRC service learning opportunities

Undergraduate nursing students upon graduation are expected to be proficient in health promotion, disease and injury prevention across the lifespan for individuals and in the public health population. In order to prepare the future nursing workforce for the challenges of emergency preparedness and analytic assessment skills post the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001, it is imperative undergraduate nursing students to be actively participate in preparing and implementing emergency response plans. Effective emergency response plans require that each team member know what to do and how to do it (Department of Homeland Security, 2006). Emergency preparedness and disaster activities identify key components of personal and public safety concerns to maintain and prevent further injury and harm. Nursing school education curricula engaged in emergency preparedness simulations and disaster drills ensure competency and readiness prior to graduation. Integrating National Incident Management System (NIMS) during undergraduate nursing education provides for efficacy in simulating BSN leadership roles in healthcare and workforce preparedness. Conducting training drills and exercises in nursing education programs support intraprofessional communication, and collaboration with state and city department of health agencies. La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences in 2011 were awarded the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Excellence in Public Health Award for enhancing the quality of education and readiness. Nursing students therefore are initiated into shared responsibility of the public health nursing professional role in practicing disaster management skills leading to improving health outcomes as a responder and in the community.