F24 - Empowering Future Nurses: Elevating Disaster Response Skills and Role Identity through an Interdisciplinary Mass Casualty Simulation with a Simulated Emergency Room

Abstract : Background
As global disasters increase, nursing programs must enhance disaster response competencies (National Academies of Sciences et al., 2021). This project addresses a gap in emergent care training by implementing an interdisciplinary mass casualty simulation (MCS) that fosters essential disaster response skills and professional role identity for nursing students.
Theoretical Framework
Guided by David Kolb’s (2015) Experiential Learning Theory, the drill involves concrete experience, debriefing and reflection, new ideas for improvement are developed (abstract conceptualization), and active experimentation through repeating the drill.
Description
The MCS engaged approximately 300 participants, transforming the nursing simulation center into a simulated emergency room. Nursing students were divided; half responded on-site with EMS, while others staffed the ER in bedside and leadership roles. After a structured debrief, students switched roles for experiential learning engagement in both settings.
Learners/Setting
The target population included senior nursing students and other emergency personnel, creating a realistic disaster environment reinforcing nursing responsibilities.
Outcomes/Evaluation
Quantitative analysis via proportional odds logistic regression revealed significant improvements in self-efficacy related to emergent care skills. Thematic analysis of reflective journals highlighted themes of 1) Leadership Exposure, 2) Realistic Nursing Engagement, and 3) Professional Role Identity Development.
Discussion and Conclusion
This simulation-based project illustrates the importance of disaster preparedness in nursing education. Immersive, practice-aligned simulations address key competency gaps, suggesting that integrating MCS into nursing curricula could enhance readiness for real-world disasters. By providing structured, realistic experiences, such simulations strengthen skill development, role familiarity, and professional engagement in high-stress scenarios, essential for the modern nursing workforce.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to participate in your session.: Join us to explore how an interdisciplinary mass casualty simulation enhances disaster preparedness in nursing students. This session highlights the importance of disaster nursing, using simulation to build critical ER skills, and fostering professional role identity. See how simulation empowered students to develop their critical assessment skills and embrace their role in emergency response.