Responding to global emergencies: what has the role of nurses been and what can it be in the future?

Abstract

This article traces the developing role of nurses in response to emergencies, from the Crimean war to the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. The scope and definition of the nursing role has developed in response to crises, from the work of nurses like Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole to advancements in aspects of professional development such as regulation to the development of advanced nurse practitioners today. Crises place pressure on healthcare professionals, and roles are advanced because of this. Resilient health infrastructure is fundamental to effective crisis management and this article traces how existing inequalities can be worsened during emergency response. The four phases of disaster management are discussed; Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery, as well as the political impact of managing global disasters and providing international resources.