Abstract
The attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 provided a Washington, DC, healthcare institution with firsthand experience in evaluating its disaster readiness. This account of one nursing leader's experience with the unexpected suggests that an actual disaster gives disaster planning new meaning because it challenges the entire institution and the community to maintain order in the midst of chaos. Included are practical lessons learned from this case study, guidelines for disaster planning, national disaster resources, and a vision for the role nursing leaders play in assuring patient care during times of disaster.