Citation

Davidson JE, Sekayan A, Agan D, Good L, Shaw D, Smilde R. Adv. Emerg. Nurs. J. 2009; 31(3): 248-257.

Affiliation

Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, California 92108, USA. Davidson.judy@scrippshealth.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/TME.0b013e3181af686d

PMID

20118877

Abstract

Natural disasters threaten the ability to staff a hospital. The objective of this study was to identify factors influencing decision to come to work during a fire disaster. The authors' hospital experienced a 17-fold increase in no-shows during a fire. Phenomenography was used to explore staff experiences immediately following wildfires. Factors affecting decision to work during a disaster included vulnerability of family, personal safety, and fire proximity. Modifiable factors were identified as follows: past experience with disasters, perceived importance, relationship with the organization, and caring connection with the organization. Employees experienced tension between obligations to family, community, and organization. Pets were seen as family and as important as biological family. Further research is indicated to determine predictive modeling and generalizability. Hospital leaders may influence disaster response by establishing a caring connection, providing resources for family members/pets, and promoting perceived importance of the employee.

Language: en