Abstract
While natural disasters have been reported internationally in relation to the injury burden, role of rescuers and responders, there is little known about the impact on education in adult professional populations. A 7.1 magnitude earthquake affected the Canterbury region of New Zealand on 4 September 2010 followed by more than 13,000 aftershocks in the three years to September 2013. As part of a larger study, a mixed method survey was used to explore factors impacting nurses engaged in education through polytechnic and university courses. This paper presents factors that were self-identified by students as supporting their ability to continue with education. Participants were recruited from three nursing settings: undergraduate nursing students, Registered Nurses (RNs) engaged in post-registration education and RNs engaged in postgraduate courses. A total of 290 participants took part in the study. A number of factors identified by participants could be addressed in pre-disaster course planning and curriculum design; through education and support of both students and staff; and the active promotion of personal, professional and institutional resilience.
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank the students who contributed to this study, and acknowledge their courage and perseverance in continuing their studies during this difficult time. We would also like to acknowledge the members of the Christchurch Earthquake Health Professionals Research Group who collaborated on the wider research project from which this study is derived. Funding in support of this study was received from the Ako Aotearoa National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence Regional Hub Project Fund.
ORCID
K. Tabakakis http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5749-8290