Disaster preparedness perceptions and psychological first‐aid competencies of psychiatric nurses

Abstract Aim This study aimed to determine the disaster preparedness perceptions and psychological first‐aid competencies of psychiatric nurses. Background Nurses must recognize the risks before a disaster occurs and have an action plan for providing effective physical and psychological care to patients and other affected individuals during and after the disaster. It is especially important for psychiatric nurses caring for a high‐risk group, such as psychiatric patients, to be prepared for disasters and be able to support patients by recognizing the psychological reactions that may occur after a disaster and managing their care accordingly. Methods For this cross‐sectional and correlational study, data on 122 nurses were collected using a personal information form, the preparedness perception scale of disaster in nurses, and the psychological first‐aid application self‐efficacy scale. Results The mean score for the participants’ perception of overall disaster preparedness was 76.70 ± 8.30, the mean score for the preparation stage was 27.02 ± 2.82, the mean score for the intervention stage was 30.40 ± 5.15, the mean score for the post‐disaster stage was 19.27 ± 2.88, and the mean score for psychological first‐aid application self‐efficacy was 140.28 ± 19.17. Conclusion The findings showed that psychiatric nurses were above the medium level in terms of disaster preparedness perceptions and psychological first‐aid application self‐efficacy. Implications for nursing and health policy It is important for nurses caring for high‐risk groups, such as psychiatric patients, to be aware of disaster preparedness, to recognize psychological reactions that may be observed after a disaster, and to be aware of psychological first‐aid practices that can be used to intervene in a disaster.