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Nursing children after a disaster: A qualitative study of nurse volunteers and children after the Haiti earthquake
Author(s) -
Sloand Elizabeth,
Ho Grace,
Klimmek Rachel,
Pho Anthony,
Kub Joan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2012.00338.x
Subject(s) - nursing , pediatric nursing , medicine , psychology
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of nurse volunteers caring for children after the Haiti earthquake in January 2010. Design and Methods. This descriptive qualitative study using in‐depth interviews focuses on the experiences of 10 nurse volunteers. Results. Four themes emerged: hope amid devastation, professional compromises, universality of children, and emotional impact on nurses. Practice Implications. Nurses who volunteer after natural disasters have rich personal and professional experiences, including extremes of sadness and joy. Nurse volunteers will likely need to care for children. Nurses and humanitarian agencies should prepare for the unique challenges of pediatric care.