Abstract
A mass casualty event is a situation in which the need for medical care and resources, including personnel, exceeds that which is available. As the largest component of the health care workforce, nurses represent a significant resource that can be called on to act as first responders during a mass casualty. However, current education and national guidelines fail to provide specific instruction on pre-hospital nursing considerations and interventions. This article provides evidence-based guidelines designed for nurses to use when acting as first responders during a disaster and presents recommendations for future nursing practice related to mass casualty events.