The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, and the American Red Cross have jointly developed "Disaster Preparedness and Response for Nurses," an online case study available free to all nurses at http://www.nursingsociety.org/education/ceonline.html.

We know that nurses are always ready to help out in the event of a disaster; it's in their nature, said Nancy McKelvey, RN, MSN, chief nurse of the American Red Cross and a member of Sigma Theta Tau. "The study gives an overview of the various roles in disaster preparedness and response, including that of the nurse. It also outlines resources available to help nurses become better prepared to respond to disasters. Finally, it is expected that after completing the study, nurses will be able to impart disaster preparedness knowledge to patients, clients and colleagues."

Laurie Willshire, RN, MPH, senior associate for nursing development at the American Red Cross, Susan B. Hassmiller, RN, PhD, FAAN, senior program officer for The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Kathleen A. Wodicka, RN, BSN, manager of distance learning for Sigma Theta Tau International, authored the peer-reviewed case study. The study leads nurses through clinical decision-making steps and includes links to abstracts, full-text articles and related research. Nurses who complete the case study can register for 2 hours of free continuing education.