Instructions – A Personal Reflection on Disasters or Mass Casualty Incidents

Course Objective met

1. Describe the human impact created by different types of disasters. 

Assignment Objectives met

-Describe possible effects on victims, families,   

     neighborhoods & communities

-Recognize societal factors that increase loss to

     life & property

-Describe possible effects on Healthcare

     providers & responders

-Recall nursing implications

OVERVIEW

Reflection is a method of thinking deeply. It allows us to ponder not only that which is obvious to our senses, but all layers of the event, even to the possible intangibles. At least three (3) of the following aspects of the event, should be used for the best possible grade: 

• physical [injuries, death],
• emotional [fear, loneliness, helplessness, etc.],
• spiritual [corporate worship, individual],
• environmental [human diversity, structures, access, etc.],
• various obligations [school, work, family care, etc.],
• and financial

 (Bogo, etal., 2011).

Option 1: Recollect a disaster or mass casualty incident that personally affected you (ie: you, your family, or your friends). If this is too painful for you to revisit, you may choose option two.

Option 2: If this has never occurred in your life, please consider a disaster or mass casualty incident that you are aware of by way of significant media/news exposure.

The subject matter may be recent or in the past. To refresh your memory, feel free to read old newspaper or internet reports. You must respond to all six (6) points below, and you must include at least 3 of the aspects mentioned in the Overview.

1. Describe what happened.

2. What were your thoughts and feelings as you lived the situation? (actual or vicariously)

3. What three (3 or more) aspects emerged throughout the event? (refer to the Overview above)

4. What did you learn about yourself or the event? (or those directly affected)

5. Why was the experience important to you?

6. Choose one thing you think would be helpful to those involved in the experience.

DIRECTIONS:

This Discussion Forum (DF) differs from what you are used to in the RN-BSN program. No references are ‘required’ (unless they apply), for this ‘one’ DF (see below). Something that has not changed is the skillful construction of your sentences, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and how well you spoke to the six (6) points above, and interjected at least three (3) of the possible aspects of the event (also shown above). 

This is a personal reflection and therefore, citations and references are not required. (However, citations and references are required “if” you are actually referring to someone else’s ideas. Ie: If you “quote” someone or use their “thoughts” about the event even in a newspaper, it is their idea.) Your response must be typed or copied and pasted directly into the discussion thread.  The maximum word limit is 400 (this is also different from a regular Discussion Forum). Please double space between paragraphs but do NOT use double spacing or indentions throughout your writing. No file can be uploaded. APA format “will” be graded if it exists.

      The same criteria concerning a personal reflection from the above paragraph, applies to the secondary posting. Your postings in response to your peers should be concise but facilitate a lively dialogue on the topic being discussed. Do NOT simply repeat information from your initial posting or your peer’s posting. The maximum word limit is 200. Please double space between paragraphs but do NOT use double spacing or indents throughout. APA format “will” be graded if it exists.

This activity is worth 10% of your total grade.  You can expect individual feedback within a week of the due date/time.

Reference:

M. Bogo, C. Regehr, E. Katz, C. Logie & M. Mylopoulos (2011).  Developing a tool for assessing students’ reflections on their practice. Social Work Education. 30 (2), 186-194.  DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2011.540392