The article, “Qualitative Analysis of the Lived Experience of First-Time Nurse Responders in Disaster,” appeared in the February 2016 issue of The Journal.
Dr. Sallie ShipmanThe award-winning paper is the first publication resulting from Shipman’s doctoral dissertation, “Emergency Preparedness Curriculum: Essential Skills for Nurses Responding in Disasters.” It is an analysis of the first-time experiences of RNs working in a community disaster shelter or temporary medical clinic. The goal was to develop ways to better prepare nursing students for disaster response.“Challenging students and relating curriculum to real-world events is key,” Shipman said. “Looking through the eyes of the first-time responder revealed new meanings about mass disasters and suggested realistic, practical content to prepare nursing students for community disaster response.”
The Innovation Award recognizes excellence in writing and in expanding nursing knowledge related to innovative educational strategies, evaluation methodologies and changes in practice.
“The reviewers thought this article was unique and provided information on a little-explored but important topic where training is lacking,” said Award Committee Chair Lynore D. DeSilets, EdD, RN-BC. “The authors offered a succinct description of their research that reflects directly on continuing education. ‘Qualitative Analysis of the Lived Experience of First-Time Nurse Responders in Disaster’ served to identify an area of education that can significantly impact responses in a disaster.”
Stephanie Arasim Portnoy, Senior Vice President, Health Care Books and Journals, SLACK Inc., agreed.
“In our current global climate, it’s more important than ever for nurses to be prepared to step in when needed as unexpected first responders,” Portnoy said. “We congratulate these authors on their innovative approach to a research topic that obviously will impact the literature and will also impact lives.”
Dr. Patricia SpeckShipman’s co-authors are UAB School of Nursing Professor Patricia Speck, DNSc, CRNP, FNP-BC, DF-IAFN, FAAFS, FAAN; Professor Marietta P. Stanton, PhD, RN, BC, CNL, NEA-BC, CMAC, CCM, FAAN, Professor Emerita Linda Olivet, DSN, RN, and Associate Professor Ann Graves, PhD, RN of the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing; and Professor Stephen Tomlinson, PhD, and Professor Douglas McKnight, PhD, of the University of Alabama College of Education.
Several of the co-authors also are alumna of the UAB School of Nursing. Olivet earned her BSN from the School in 1964, her MSN in 1967 and her DSN in 1985. Graves earned her MSN in 1983. Stanton, who was also Shipman’s dissertation chair, earned a Post Masters Certificate in 2014.
Shipman worked for more than 18 years with the Alabama Department of Public Health, including the last nine with the Center for Emergency Preparedness on the area and state levels.
The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing is a monthly peer-reviewed journal providing original articles on continuing nursing education, including teaching tips, administrative angles and clinical updates. SLACK Inc. is a leading provider of information to targeted health-care specialties, including 42 publications in print and online, more than 250 medical and allied health books and more than 50 websites and internet-related projects.