Who's available to help in times of crisis and disaster?

BURLINGTON, Vt. - Oct. 27, 2005 - New research by disaster researcher Alice Fothergill, Ph.D., and the Office of Nursing Workforce at the University of Vermont , attempts to answer the question of whether inactive nurses can and are willing to be mobilized in emergency situations. A recent survey of nurses with lapsed or inactive licenses in Vermont reveals that 27% of respondents would be willing to volunteer in a disaster. The number potential volunteers is expected to grow in the next decade when 1/3 of the 2.7 million RNs in the US retire and might be available to be called upon in times of disaster. In our post-9/11 climate communities across the US are working on their emergency preparedness and these findings suggest ways to mobilize this untapped resource.

To reach a member of the research team for questions or interviews, please contact Alice Fothergill at (802) 656-2127 or alice.fothergill@uvm.edu, or Mary Val Palumbo at (802) 656-0025 or mpalumbo@uvm.edu.

This study is published in Public Health Nursing. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net.

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