Gatmaitan, Kylie Elisha M.

NCMC410
BSN 4-YB-11
Reflection Paper: Hurricane Katrina

I was a young child when I first learned about Hurricane Katrina online; even as a child, I knew
how heartbreaking it was because our country is prone to disasters, so I was sympathetic, but
what struck me the most was an image of a nurse fanning a patient in the hospital’s parking lot,
battling exhaustion to care for the injured and displaced. It made me realize how much
responsibility and power a nurse has in such situations.

A nurse leader in a disaster needs to be a rock. People are scared, hurt, and confused. They
need someone calm, collected, and radiating hope. This means staying focused on the
immediate needs – triage, first aid, and ensuring basic hygiene and sanitation.

But a leader also needs to listen. People will be grieving, traumatized, and worried about loved
ones. Taking the time to listen to their fears and concerns, even for a few minutes, can be a
huge comfort.

Finally, a nurse leader can be a bridge between the community and outside resources. Whether
it's connecting people with mental health services or finding them shelter and food, a leader can
help navigate the chaos and bureaucracy that often follows a disaster.

Katrina's devastation exposed the cracks in the disaster response system. But it also highlighted
the incredible strength of nurses who stepped up, often with limited resources, to be beacons of
care and hope. It's a powerful reminder that leadership isn't just about giving orders; it's about
compassion, resilience, and being a source of strength in the darkest of times.