NURSING STUDENTS' LEVEL OF PREPAREDNESS FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Although nursing students may lack specific training and certification required to provide clinical care, they can perform other activities that would reduce the burden on professionals. Student nurses can play a vital role during complicated situations such as emergency and disaster situations. Many may not be aware and believe in their abilities, but, they can augment the group to increase the workforce of the healthcare team to lessen devastating and life-threatening situations. This study aimed to identify the respondent’s level of preparedness for emergency response. The quantitative research method was used and applied a researcher-made survey questionnaire in collecting data. The respondents in this study include a total of 120 nursing students from a different institutions offering a nursing program in Quezon province. Spearman's rho coefficient was used to analyze the significant correlation of the different variables. Results show that the nursing students are well-prepared, and willing to respond to emergencies. It was revealed that qualified instructors have a very strong impact on the performance and competitiveness of nursing students. There is no significant difference in the level of preparedness of nursing students on emergency response when they are grouped according to profile; there is no significant difference in the internal and external factors when they are grouped according to profile. Data results suggest that the professors should focus more on developing the confidence, knowledge, and skills of the nursing students, while the university may give attention to providing the adequate and modern equipment necessary to train the students in emergency response.