School nurses understand the importance of being prepared for the unexpected and that in the ever-shifting landscape of school emergencies, preparedness is not just a plan—it's a mindset. However, effective disaster preparedness is not just about responding to acute emergencies; it's about creating a proactive environment that ensures student safety and resilience.

When the unthinkable happens, school nurses transition seamlessly from caregivers to frontline emergency responders in the school setting, making their expertise utterly indispensable. As NASN points out in their position statement, Emergency Preparedness for Schools, school nurses are there "all day, every day," intimately familiar with the students, their medical histories, the inherent risks associated with the location and population, and the school's layout. This constant presence uniquely positions them to identify potential hazards and contribute meaningfully to developing robust Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) by factoring in the nuanced needs of students with chronic conditions and disabilities. This includes planning for medication, food, water, necessary equipment, and communication and sensory needs accommodations. 

Laying the Groundwork

Before a crisis ever unfolds, school nurses are quietly building layers of preparedness. They are significant contributors to hazard identification, understanding the vulnerabilities within the school environment, and the potential for local, regional, or widespread incidents, including natural disasters, public health threats, and human-caused events. As part of a team that should include administrators, staff, community leaders, and policymakers, detailed procedures must be established that outline step-by-step actions to take before, during, and after various types of emergencies, both short- and long-duration. 

Ready to Respond

From organizing emergency supplies to conducting training exercises, fostering collaboration, and refining communication plans, school nurses can take proactive measures to strengthen their school's readiness and safeguard the health and safety of students and staff.

• Prepare a personal "go-bag" containing essential medical supplies, a confidential list of students with health concerns, and emergency contact information. Read more about school nurse emergency bags here.
• Participate in safety teams by actively engaging in district-level and school-level safety teams to address health-related planning considerations.
• Provide emergency preparedness education and training. School nurses are responsible for educating staff on medical emergencies, including using "Stop the Bleed" kits, cardiac emergency response, and condition-specific medical responses.

Action in Crisis

The school nurse's most obvious role in a disaster involves the actions taken during a crisis. In these critical situations, school nurses emerge as vital first responders, leveraging their training and experience to provide immediate triage and first aid and serve as integral links to local healthcare systems. Furthermore, school nurses are key to facilitating evacuation, when necessary, ensuring that all students, including those with mobility challenges, can move to safety efficiently. 

Recovery & Learning

The immediate threat may have passed, but the work of ensuring the long-term well-being of the school community has just begun. The recovery phase is crucial for the school community's long-term well-being, focusing on academic, physical, fiscal, and emotional restoration. Maintaining a safe environment during recovery is essential. School nurses can contribute to this by providing clear and accurate health information when appropriate and identifying individuals who may require immediate or ongoing care and support. The disaster preparedness process is ongoing, and plans should evolve as new information emerges and priorities are updated, including a careful review to identify lessons learned after an incident.