The volunteer potential of inactive nurses for disaster preparedness

Authors

Alice Fothergill, University of Vermont
Mary Val Palumbo, University of Vermont
Betty Rambur, University of Vermont
Kyndaron Reinier, Oregon Health & Science University
Barbara McIntosh, University of Vermont

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

9-1-2005

Abstract

Objectives: Inactive nurses' interest in volunteering for emergency preparedness was examined. Methods: A mail survey was sent to the entire Vermont Board of Nursing list of in-state inactive and lapsed registered nurses (n = 3,682). A high rate of undeliverable surveys (60%) was found and 611 surveys were returned for a 20% response rate. Results: Twenty-seven percent of the respondents were interested in volunteering. Those interested in participating in volunteer work as part of a national homeland security effort were significantly more likely to (a) be younger in age (p < 0.0001); (b) identify themselves as "being a nurse" (p = 0.001); (c) be employed versus retired (p = 0.002); and (d) be currently volunteers (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Because 33% of the nation's nurses are over age 50, inactive nurses offer a potentially large pool of volunteers for emergency preparedness training and response in the years to come. © Blackwell Publishing, Inc.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Public Health Nursing

Volume

22

Issue

5

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Fothergill, Alice, Mary Val Palumbo, Betty Rambur, Kyndaron Reinier, and Barbara McIntosh. "The volunteer potential of inactive nurses for disaster preparedness." Public Health Nursing 22, 5 (2005): 414-421. doi: 10.1111/j.0737-1209.2005.220506.x.