On June 1, 2024, Joachim Beckert’s dissertation project to develop a self-assessment scale for nurses in disaster nursing started at the Institute of Health and Nursing Science at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. In the period from June 2024 to May 2028, this self-assessment scale will be developed, tested and evaluated on the basis of the core competencies of the International Council of Nurses (ICN). The project is being supervised by Professor Michael Ewers and Professor Uta Klusmann.
The project is a response to the growing challenges posed to nurses by crises and disasters. In view of their central role in coping with such scenarios, there is a need for targeted preparation and strengthening of their skills. To this end, the ICN has developed a performance-related competency model that defines the requirements for nurses worldwide. This competency model forms the basis for the planned scale, which is designed to be both practice-oriented and scientifically sound.
A central concern of the project is to prepare the collection of data on the disaster nursing competencies of nurses in Germany, which has been lacking to date. The planned scale should not only find practical application in professional practice, but also make a contribution to research by providing the basis for further studies and evaluations. The development of this instrument addresses a significant gap in the German healthcare system. It is an important step towards improving the quality of nursing in crisis situations and preparing professionals for their demanding tasks in the best possible way.
The research project at the Charité thus makes a valuable contribution to the further development of public health nursing and helps to strengthen nurses for the challenges of disaster nursing.