Zero Zone Notes: Nursing Students' Experiences in the Earthquake Area

Öz

Objective: The competence of nurses in disaster response is very important in reducing the negative health impacts on people affected by disasters. This study examined students' experiences practicing in the container city area after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye-centered earthquake. Method: This study was conducted employing the phenomenological method, a qualitative research approach. It was completed between January and March 2024 with 15 students who went to the earthquake-affected area. A semi-structured interview form was used for data collection. The data were collected face-to-face using the in-depth interview method and evaluated through content analysis. Results: After the content analysis, 21 codes, 6 sub-themes, and 3 main themes emerged in the study. The main themes were 'Emotions', 'Professional Gains', and 'Challenges'. Conclusions: It has been concluded that the students' gains from practicing in the disaster area were positive. It is especially possible to say that the perception of the profession is further strengthened by field experience. Students' field experiences in disaster areas can be a guide for curricular changes in nursing education.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Qualitative research
• earthquake
• student
• disaster
• nursing

Zero Zone Notes: Nursing Students' Experiences in the Earthquake Area

Öz

Amaç: Hemşirelerin afet müdahalesindeki yeterliliği, afetlerden etkilenen insanların sağlık üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerini azaltmada çok önemlidir. Bu çalışma, 2023 Kahramanmaraş/Türkiye merkezli deprem sonrası konteynerkent alanında uygulama yapan öğrencilerin deneyimlerini incelemeyi amaçlamıştır. Yöntem: Bu çalışma, nitel bir araştırma yaklaşımı olan fenomenolojik yöntem kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Depremden etkilenen bölgeye giden 15 öğrenci ile 2024 Ocak ve Mart ayları arasında görüşüldü. Veri toplama için yarı yapılandırılmış bir görüşme formu kullanıldı. Veriler, derinlemesine görüşme yöntemi kullanılarak yüz yüze toplandı ve içerik analizi ile değerlendirildi. Bulgular: İçerik analizi sonrasında çalışmada 21 kod, 6 alt tema ve 3 ana tema ortaya çıkmıştır. Ana temalar 'Duygular', 'Mesleki Kazanımlar' ve 'Zorluklar' idi. Sonuç: Öğrencilerin afet bölgesinde uygulama yaparak kazandıkları deneyimlerin olumlu olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır. Meslek algısının saha deneyimi ile daha da güçlendiği söylenebilir. Öğrencilerin afet bölgelerindeki saha deneyimleri, hemşirelik eğitiminde müfredat değişiklikleri için bir rehber olabilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Nitel araştırma
• deprem
• öğrenci
• afet
• hemşirelik.

Kaynakça

1. Abdi, A., Vaisi-Raygani, A., Najafi, B., Saidi, H., & Moradi, K. (2021). Reflecting on the challenges encountered by nurses at the great Kermanshah earthquake: A qualitative study. BMC Nursing, 20(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00605-3
2. Annak, I.M., Erdogan, B., & Yıldız Emre, N. (2025). Experiences of Turkish nurses volunteering in the disaster zone following the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake. International Nursing Review, 72(3), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.13056
3. Arslan, E. (2022). Validity and reliability in qualitative research. Pamukkale University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 69, 383-394. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1712967
4. Arslan, N., Topan, A., & Kurtuncu, M. (2024). Earthquake experiences of nursing students residing in earthquake zone, the disaster of the century: A qualitative study. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, Online First, https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228241231013
5. Buyuksoy, G.D. (2020). Learning experience of nursing students in a public university by serving the community: A qualitative study. Journal of Public Health Nursing, 2(1), 14- 25.
6. Cant, R., Ryan, C., Hughes, L., Ossenberg, C., & Cooper, S. (2024). Nursing student voices: A qualitative thematic synthesis of education elements supporting nursing students' clinical learning during placement. Nurse Education in Practice, 80,1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2024.104150
7. Cakiroglu, O.C., Tuncer Unver, G., & Cakiroglu, S. (2025). Traces of earthquake: Traumatic life experiences and their effects on volunteer nurses in the earthquake zone–an ınterpretative phenomenological study. Public Health Nursing, 42, 899–911. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13532
8. Delforge, D., Wathelet, V., Below, R., Sofia, C. L., Tonnelier, M., van Loenhout, J. A., & Speybroeck, N. (2025). EM-DAT: the emergency events database. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 124, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105509

9. Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (2023, July 02). Press Release About the Earthquakes in Kahramanmaras. www.afad.gov.tr/k+ahramanmarasta-meydana-gelen-depremler-hk-34
10. Dogan, S. D., Tosunoz, I. K., Kaya, P., Yurtseven, S., & Aydinli, A. (2024). Being a nurse in Turkey's disaster: A phenomenological study on post-earthquake experiences. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 105, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104386
11. Erdem, Y., Kırca, K., & Polat, S. (2023). Researches in disaster nursing in the last 10 years: A bibliometric analysis. Izmir Katip Çelebi University Faculty of Health Science Journal , 8(2), 477-487.
12. Eren, B., Aktura, S. Ç., & Çolak, M. E. (2025). Nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes and awareness regarding shelter nursing in disaster preparedness. BMC Nursing, 24(1), 297-310. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12912-025-02972-7
13. Guven, E., & Avcı., I.A. (2022). The thoughts and suggestions of the students taking the public health nursing course about providing health education to the society. Journal of Nursology, 25(2), 89-94. https://doi.org/10.5152/JANHS.2022.788339
14. Hasan, M. K., Beeva, S., Hasan, F., Sagor, M. M. R., Purba, Z. A., Maruf, M. S. H., ... & Hossain, F. (2024). Disaster response self-efficacy of nursing students: Perceived level and associated factors. Nurse Education Today, 139, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106254
15. Kaya, S. S., & Erdogan, E. G. (2024). Being a nurse during an earthquake that affected ten provinces: A qualitative study on experiences and expectations. International Nursing Review, 72(1), e13051. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.13051
16. Koksal, K., Mert, I. S., & Aslan, H. (2024). Nursing as an earthquake survivor: A qualitative study on nurses traumatized by the Kahramanmaraş earthquake in Turkey. International Nursing Review, 72,1-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.13061
17. Okur U, Ozaydın T, & Sen M. (2024). Nurses' experiences and perceptions regarding public health services in disasters: A qualitative study. Nursing Insights, 11(3), 207-217. https://doi.org/10.31125/hunhemsire.1436663
18. Ozsaker, E., Aykut, Z., Doruker, N. C., Koze, B. S., & Gecit, S. (2025). The relationship between the academic self-efficacy and perceived stressors among nursing students in clinical settings: A cross-sectional study. BMC Nursing, 24(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-02836-0
19. Sancar B, Cüceler S, Ozcanarslan N, Ozcanarslan F. (2024). Determining the experiences, feelings and thoughts of nurses caring for earthquake victims: A qualitative study. Journal of Nursology, 27(1), 38-46. https://doi.org/10.17049/jnursology.1457909
20. Songwathana, P. & Timalsina, R. (2021) Disaster preparedness among nurses of developing countries: an integrative review. International Emergency Nursing, 55, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2020.100955
21. Sonmez Sarı, E., & Terzi, H. (2025). A qualitative study on Turkey's earthquakes, the century's catastrophe: Perspectives and coping methods of surviving nursing students. International Nursing Review, 72(1), e13042. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.13042
22. Taslak, S., & Isikay, C. (2015). A study for the investigation of the nursing students’ perceptions of education and anxiety and hopelessness levels: The case of the school of health. Suleyman Demirel University Journal of Health Sciences, 6 (3), 108-115.
23. Tekindal, M., & Uguz Arsu, S. (2020). Content and process of phenomenological approach within the scope of qualitative research method. Beyond the Horizon of Scientific Journal, 20(1), 153-172.
24. Unsal, B., Ozbudak Arıca, E., & Hobek Akarsu, R. (2024). Ethical issues after the earthquake in Turkey: A qualitative study on nurses' perspectives. International Nursing Review. 72(3),1-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.13048
25. Xue, C. L., Shu, Y. S., Hayter, M., & Lee, A. (2020). Experiences of nurses involved in natural disaster relief: A meta‐synthesis of qualitative literature. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(23-24), 4514-4531. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15476
26. Yanik, D., & Ediz, Ç. (2024). Experiences and psychosocial challenges of volunteer nurses in Turkey devastating earthquake zones: Lessons to be learnt for prevention of health system problems in disasters: A qualitative study. Public Health Nursing, 41(3), 503–513. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13303
27. Yıldırım, A., & Simsek, H. (2016). Qualitative research methods in social sciences. Ankara: Seckin Press.
28. Yildirim, M., Bozdag, F., & Basdas, O. (2024). Experiences of nursing students providing support in disaster areas: A qualitative study. Public Health Nursing, 41(6), 1622-1632. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13412