Expanding educational opportunities in disaster response and emergency preparedness for nurses.

The past few years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of large-scale disaster events and the ubiquitous threat of weapons of mass destruction. These events have heightened recognition of the role of the nurse in disaster management and response. Enhanced capacity to respond to disasters and other public health emergencies will require a nursing workforce that is clinically experienced and possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to respond with confidence and authority. This article reports on how American schools of nursing have begun to address the challenge of workforce development and nurse preparedness. The University of Rochester Leadership in Health Care Systems in Disaster Response and Emergency Preparedness Program is described in detail.