Question

What spiritual considerations surrounding a disaster can arise for individuals, communities, and health care providers? Explain your answer in the context of a natural or manmade disaster. How can a community health nurse assist in the spiritual care of the individual, community, self, and colleagues?

Answer 1

Whenever natural calamities or any disease for that matter can occur to an Individual or community the first thought that creeps in people is that it is the wrath of God.And this thought comes to individuals, community and health care providers. So it's important for the health care provider and professionals to update their knowledge regarding the scientific reason why it has happened.

Natural calamities like floods, earth quakes, tornado's, cyclone can occur anywhere anytime. Man-made calamities or disaster can occur because of the pollution caused by industries, improper sewage disposable ,deforestration, depletion of ozone layer causes disasters.

As a Community Health Nurse it is important to study the insurance of the disaster whether man made or natural calamities.

• The Nurse has to first prepare them psychologically when ever it happens.
• She should make it a point to explain them that it is not the wrath of God. It can be due to natural or man-made calamity.
• God's love is always there. We cannot predict why it happens but be prepared to overcome the situation and crisis.
• There is no guilt or self condemnation even any disaster happens.
• The community health Nurse should explain why it has happened the scientific reasons for it to happen.
• Holding prayers, services ,praying for others will be a source of encouragement to people at times of disaster.
• The communityhealth Nurse should respect the cultural and religious beliefs of the people. The Nurse should never mock the feelings of the patient.
• But explain to the people what is the actual reason for the calamity.