Document Type
DNP Project
Department
School of Nursing
Date of Degree
Spring 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Primary Advisor
Joyce Knestrick, Ph.D., FNP-C, APRN, FAANP, FAAN
Keywords
disaster planning, emergency preparedness, simulation training
Abstract
Background: Public health departments play a crucial role in community preparation and emergency response. Efficiency of response efforts leads to improved timeliness of response and reduction in loss of life. This project implementation site prioritized incident command and emergency preparedness training after deficiency was noted in the COVID-19 After Action Report.
Objectives: This project evaluated didactic-only versus didactic and simulation combination-methods emergency preparedness training in public health supervisors, measured by participant knowledge acquisition, capacity to respond in an emergency, and interprofessional collaboration. Aims also included suggestions for future training intervals.
Methods: The one-group, pretest and posttest design measured participant familiarity of incident command structure, interprofessional collaboration, and capacity to be Ready, Willing, and Able to respond in conjunction with the emergency preparedness information questionnaire (EPIQ). Didactic courses provided baseline knowledge of incident command and emergency preparedness principles. The following week, participants were offered a series of simulation activities to practice skills. An additional posttest assessed simulation efficacy.
Results:Nineteen supervisors participated in the didactic course with sixteen of those supervisors also participating in the simulation activities. Results demonstrated improvement in participant confidence to be ready, willing, and able to respond in an emergency (t19,19,16= -11.393, p= 0.004) and overall preparedness knowledge (t19= 5.409, p=
Conclusion and Implications: This program evaluation demonstrated successful implementation of combination-methods emergency preparedness training and supported annual training to ensure knowledge and skills are practiced prior to real-life situations. Interdisciplinary collaboration was enhanced through simulation practice. The impact of this project enhanced individual and organizational capacity in emergency response, preparing individuals to act in emergency situations, limiting morbidity and mortality related outcomes.
Copyright Notice
©2025 Laura Varnier. All rights reserved.
Recommended Citation
Varnier, L. (2025). Program Evaluation of an Emergency Preparedness Training and Simulation Project and Impact on Participant Response. , (). Retrieved from https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/son_dnp/163
Open Access
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