Abstract:
The aim of this research is to explore humanitarian nurses' experiences in areas of
conflict and natural disasters. Until recently, very few humanitarian nurses had
recorded their stories and narratives.
My interest in this topic originates from my nursing career working with the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). I have cared for victims of warfare
and natural disaster with acute conditions in many countries around the world. I
consider these missions to be the most exciting and important of my nursing career.
This research is informed by both narrative inquiry and reflective topical
autobiography. I have reviewed nurses' stories available in general and nursing
research literature analysed them for recurring themes and compared these with my
own experience. The four themes are: preparing for a mission; nurses' reactions when
caring for victims with injuries caused by warfare and natural disaster; the
relationships between the nurses and the local population; and how the nurses
adjusted when reintegrating into their own countries after finishing a mission.
This research is important as it highlights the lack of documentation around
humanitarian nurses' experiences. In order for humanitarian nursing to be recognised
as a specialty within its own right it must be described and recorded so research can
be focused specifically into areas of need. Most importantly, these stories and
narratives have significant historical importance as so little is recorded of
humanitarian nurses' experiences. Therefore this research has additional importance
in collecting and analysing the few stories available, ensuring the nurses' shared
experiences are available within the nursing literature.
New Zealand'Hs humanitarian effort will continue, if not increase, so issues outlined in
this research need to be addressed by agencies sending nurses overseas. With
recognition, humanitarian nurses will be able to work effectively, professionally and
safely, providing high quality care in extreme conditions.
