On April 30, 2025, the School of Nursing successfully hosted its inaugural Nursing-Only Disaster Day at the EAGLES Center. This event was meticulously planned and led by Drs. Tiffani Chidume and Rachel Helms, providing an extensive immersive simulation experience for senior nursing students in their 4th and 5th semesters.
The mass casualty simulation involved a winter storm and multi-vehicle pileup scenario, aimed at providing students with realistic conditions such as delayed EMS response, overcrowded care areas, and limited resources. The environment replicated the pressures and challenges of disaster care, emphasizing rapid decision-making, prioritization, and adaptability.
“The simulation followed Jeffries' Simulation Theory and was organized in multiple rotations to accommodate 180 students,” said Chidume. “The students worked in pairs, taking on various roles such as triage nurses and primary nurses. The clinical scenario involved 12 simulated patients (SPs), who rotated through mirrored care environments on both sides of the lab. The process was supported by 26 faculty, staff, and volunteers acting as pod leaders, charge nurses, facilitators, and embedded participants.”
The day was structured with an instructional pre-session on trauma and disaster nursing; a comprehensive pre-briefing outlining expectations, safety protocols, and simulation assumptions; a 30-minute immersive scenario, which included triage and care for patients with varying injury severities, and a debriefing session utilizing the PEARLS framework to encourage reflection, self-assessment, and discussion of clinical performance in areas such as communication, leadership, and resource management.
The primary learning objectives included accurate triage and prioritization of critically injured patients, effective therapeutic communication and collaboration within interdisciplinary teams, and optimal utilization of personnel and medical resources during crisis situations.
The simulation focused on formative evaluation, confidentiality, and professionalism throughout, creating an environment conducive to learning. Feedback from post-simulation debriefs showed that the experience was impactful, with students reporting increased confidence, critical thinking, and preparedness for real-world emergencies. Disaster Day 2025 highlighted the importance of hands-on simulation in nursing education and provided a foundation for future large-scale experiential learning events.
Chidume and Helms thank everyone for their participation and support in the first self-contained Disaster Day in Nursing. The feedback from debrief sessions indicates the event was successful, thanks to your dedication, flexibility, and teamwork. “It was a memorable and effective learning experience for our students. The collective effort led to significant accomplishments, and there is anticipation for future progress,” Helms added.
