Disaster nursing is a specialized practice area in which registered nurses prepare for and respond to natural and human-caused emergencies including hurricanes, wildfires and disease outbreaks. Disaster nurses deliver triage, acute care and community support when healthcare systems are overwhelmed and resources are severely limited.
Natural disasters are common throughout the United States, and growing climate volatility is expected to further increase their frequency. Beyond hurricanes, earthquakes and wildfires, other incidents including mass shootings, chemical spills and mass transit accidents require a coordinated disaster preparedness and response plan to quickly supply care to impacted areas. Viral outbreaks including COVID-19 also trigger disaster protocols as they pose a significant threat to public health.
The online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) prepares working nurses with advanced preparation in community health, leadership and clinical reasoning that effective disaster response demands. With more than five million registered nurses (RNs) in the U.S., nurses are a critical asset to disaster planning and response. Their unique skill sets are ideal for helping those affected, as are their abilities to prepare communities, organize resources and communicate with multiple stakeholders.
How Do Nurses Help During Disasters?
Nurses primarily provide acute patient care during disasters, helping to treat the sick and injured and ensure access to basic healthcare services. They may also:
- Triage patients
- Evacuate or transfer patients to another unit or facility
- Communicate with patients, volunteers and healthcare workers
- Coordinate activities with outside agencies and volunteers
Does Disaster Nursing Require Specific Skills?
Disasters require nurses to navigate chaotic environments, often in makeshift facilities and with limited technology and medical supplies. Impacted areas may not have power or running water. Residents are likely scared and traumatized and may behave erratically, requiring tremendous emotional support.
Nurses must have physical stamina, be able to work long hours in crude conditions and have well-developed clinical and interpersonal communication skills. They benefit from leadership skills and a strong understanding of community healthcare. An RN to BSN online program offers dedicated coursework in these topics, as well as an elective course in transcultural care that is ideal for nurses expecting to work in different geographic areas or serve diverse populations during an emergency.
Lessons from Disaster Response: Real-World Examples
In recent years, nurses have been called to respond to an expanding range of disaster events, from major hurricanes and wildfires to global pandemics and international mass-casualty incidents. The following four examples reflect the breadth of disaster nursing in practice and demonstrate why preparation is essential before any emergency occurs.
- Hurricane Helene (2024): When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in September 2024, the Registered Nurse Response Network deployed volunteer teams to Asheville to care for survivors sheltering at local clinics and emergency sites. The storm was one of 27 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters the U.S. experienced that year and claimed at least 219 lives, illustrating the scale of need that disaster nurses must be ready to meet.
- California Wildfires (2025): When fast-moving wildfires swept through Southern California in January 2025, nurses were among the first to respond at evacuation sites and emergency shelters, providing triage, wound care and support for displaced residents. The Registered Nurse Response Network monitored the disaster and coordinated nursing resources as the fires destroyed more than 12,000 structures and displaced tens of thousands of people.
- Turkey Earthquakes (2023): The February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye affected more than 14 million people and killed over 50,000, presenting one of the largest acute nursing challenges in recent memory. Research published in the International Nursing Review found that nurses who deployed to the disaster zone faced severe resource shortages and high psychological demands, reinforcing how essential pre-deployment training and mental health preparedness are for effective disaster response.
- COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic was the most expansive public health emergency in modern nursing history, pushing healthcare systems globally to their limits and exposing critical gaps in preparedness. Research published in BMC Nursing found that lessons from earlier outbreaks including SARS and H1N1 were not adequately applied to COVID-19 workforce planning, and the pandemic has since prompted major changes in nursing education including expanded disaster protocols and simulation-based training.
Career Outlook for Disaster Nurses
Disaster nursing is not a standalone career path. It is a specialization that augments a registered nurse’s existing practice, and most disaster nurses are RNs who respond during crises through their employer or as volunteers with response organizations.
The overall employment picture for registered nurses is strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RN employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 189,100 openings projected annually. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024. For nurses who deploy with federal agencies such as FEMA or HHS, compensation can range from $90,000 to $130,000 or more annually, including deployment bonuses.
How Can Nurses Become Involved in Disaster Response?
While disaster nursing may seem like something nurses can contribute to at the last minute, preparation and planning is key. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), disaster preparedness is a core nursing competency and the work begins well before any disaster occurs. Nurses must first align with disaster planning agencies such as the American Red Cross, which allows agencies to assess nurses’ skills and interests and assign them to response teams accordingly.
Response organizations carefully evaluate nurses’ backgrounds and training before a disaster occurs, matching them to appropriate teams and roles. When a disaster strikes, nurses who prepared and registered in advance are positioned to deploy quickly and provide care under the most demanding conditions.
Most healthcare facilities including hospitals and nursing homes have their own internal disaster planning and response teams that nurses can join. Although some employers send nursing teams out into the community during disasters, other teams will be tasked with maintaining continuity of care for patients at the facility.
Cities, counties and states may have disaster response teams too. Nurses are encouraged to inquire about these opportunities as well as look into the needs of some of the larger disaster planning and preparedness agencies, such as the:
While disasters can be unexpected, nurses can prepare in advance to be part of the solution. By deepening their understanding of community health, honing their clinical skills, advancing their education and partnering with their employer or a disaster response agency, nurses will be ready to respond during times of greatest need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nurses and nursing students often have specific questions about disaster nursing including what it involves, how to prepare and how it differs from everyday emergency practice. Here are answers to some of the most commonly searched questions.
What is the difference between emergency nursing and disaster nursing?
Emergency nursing typically refers to care delivered in a hospital emergency department, where nurses work within a functioning healthcare system. Disaster nursing occurs when that system is overwhelmed or unavailable and nurses must deliver care in the field, in shelters or in temporary facilities, often with limited supplies and personnel. The two specialties share core clinical skills, but disaster nursing adds competencies in mass-casualty triage, community coordination and care in austere environments.
Can any registered nurse respond to a disaster?
Any licensed RN can volunteer for disaster response, but effectiveness depends heavily on preparation. Nurses who have completed continuing education in disaster preparedness, trained with simulation drills and registered with a response organization such as the American Red Cross or the RNRN are far better positioned to respond quickly and effectively. Some federal roles such as positions with the National Disaster Medical System may require additional credentialing.
What certifications are available for disaster nurses?
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) previously offered the National Healthcare Disaster Certification (NHDP-BC), which was retired in December 2022, though current holders may maintain the credential. The International Board of Disaster Medicine (IBODM) now offers disaster medicine certification to nurses worldwide. Continuing education courses in disaster planning, triage and emergency preparedness are also widely available through nursing CE platforms and are a practical starting point for nurses new to the specialty.
Is there growing demand for disaster-trained nurses?
Yes. As the frequency and severity of natural disasters increases and public health emergencies remain a persistent risk, demand for nurses with disaster preparedness training continues to grow. Nurses with disaster training are better positioned for leadership roles within their health systems as hospitals increasingly prioritize internal emergency preparedness teams.
Do disaster nurses get paid differently?
Most nurses receive their regular salary when responding to disasters as part of their employment. However, according to BLS, nurses who deploy with government agencies such as FEMA earned a median annual salary of $106,480 in 2024, exceeding the median registered nurse salary. Travel nurses who work crisis assignments may earn comparable elevated rates. Nurses who volunteer with organizations like the American Red Cross typically receive coverage for travel, food and lodging but are not separately compensated.
Preparing for What Comes Next
Natural disasters and public health emergencies are becoming more frequent and more severe, making disaster-trained nurses an essential part of any community’s resilience. The nursing profession has responded by expanding disaster preparedness education and building the infrastructure that allows nurses to deploy quickly when the call comes.
For nurses who want to contribute when it matters most, the path forward begins with education and planning rather than waiting for a disaster to strike. Whether responding to a hurricane, a wildfire or a public health crisis, nurses who have trained and prepared in advance are positioned to make the greatest difference.
Learn how the online RN to BSN program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington equips working nurses with advanced preparation in community health, leadership and clinical reasoning, and take the next step toward your BSN today.
About the University of North Carolina Wilmington
The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public doctoral university in coastal North Carolina and part of the University of North Carolina System. Founded in 1947, UNCW serves students from across the state and beyond through both on-campus and fully online programs spanning business, education, healthcare and the sciences.
UNCW’s nursing programs are delivered through the School of Nursing, which holds programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Online nursing students benefit from the same faculty, academic standards and institutional support as on-campus students, with the flexibility to complete coursework around existing professional and personal responsibilities.
