Introduction: Disasters are increasing globally in both frequency and severity. Rural and remote areas are often exposed to disasters, with significantly reduced resources and health infrastructure. Nurses play an important role in assisting in and responding to disasters. However, in rural and remote areas, there is limited literature describing nurses’ roles or experiences during these events. The aim of this study was to explore what it is like for rural and remote nurses when assisting in disasters using a phenomenological approach. Methods: Sixteen nurses from rural or remote Australia were interviewed about their experiences of assisting in a disaster event. A phenomenological approach underpinned the study with interpretive analysis of the existential lifeworlds of participants, used to further explore moments of assisting in a disaster. Results: The existentials of time, relation, space, and body provided a framework to further explore and analyze how certain moments in disasters were experienced by participants. Through the existential lifeworlds, it illuminated how prioritising time in disasters is key, but limited resources in rural and remote areas complicate this process. Nurses in rural and remote locations work across many settings and environments that expose them to specific risks and stressors. Community relations were significant and affected what nurses did, both positively and negatively. Supporting nurses’ psychological and well-being needs after events is important; however, it is still poorly done and can result in nurses leaving the profession or moving on. Conclusion: Rural and remote nurses play a significant role in disaster response. The new insights into what this experience was like for these nurses highlight the nuances that exist for nurses across broad geographical areas and disaster subtypes. This study provides in-depth insights into what these nurses experienced, increasing disaster awareness, and creating new avenues for further research.
Brewer et al. (Sun,) studied this question.