LEARNING OUTCOMES

Purpose: To equip nurses with the essential knowledge, basic skills, and attitudes to safely and effectively respond to various types of disasters. After the learning activity, the learner will be able to:

Describe the phases of disaster management

Explain nursing roles in disasters in each disaster management phase

Apply nursing judgement in a disaster scenario

Identify relevant disaster-related resources to prepare/plan

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Developed by Dr. Li-Chen Lin — Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin's School of Nursing and a leader in the local disaster preparedness and response efforts in the Central Texas area, this comprehensive online course equips registered nurses with the essential knowledge and skills to effectively respond to disasters. Drawing on current research, real-world nursing experience, and international disaster nursing competencies, the course explores the full disaster management cycle: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Participants will engage with case studies, ethical considerations, mental health strategies, and practical tools for triage, communication, and community resilience. Designed for nurses across all specialties, this course bridges the gap in disaster education and fosters resilience, leadership, and preparedness in high-stakes environments. Throughout this course, you will engage in interactive learning experiences, explore key concepts, and apply new knowledge to real-world scenarios.

* Course discount available for UT Austin faculty/staff/students. Email utson_cne@nursing.utexas.edu for the discount code.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

The instructor for this course is Dr. Li-Chen Lin, PhD, RN.

Dr. Li-Chen Lin, PhD, RN, is a Clinical Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing (UTSON). With a distinguished career in nursing education, research, and practice, Dr. Lin has mentored students across all academic levels and led numerous health-related research initiatives.

As Chair of the Disaster Preparedness Committee at UTSON, Dr. Lin plays a pivotal role in coordinating the school’s disaster preparedness and response efforts, including leading recent mass vaccination campaigns. Since 2015, she has directed the University of Texas Medical Reserve Corps (UTMRC), strengthening the university’s capacity for disaster response and ensuring the sustainability of its programs.

Dr. Lin is a strong advocate for continuous education and training for future first responders. Her leadership has been instrumental in implementing a train-the-trainer model to expand and sustain disaster preparedness initiatives. She actively collaborates with organizations throughout Travis County and the Austin area to deliver health-related outreach, with a special focus on underserved communities.

Her work has been widely recognized and disseminated through regional, national, and international presentations and publications. Among her many honors, Dr. Lin has received the prestigious Daisy Award and the Outstanding Partner Organization Award from the national Medical Reserve Corps, highlighting her exceptional contributions to public health and community resilience.

Having trouble registering for the course? Contact us and we’ll get it fixed.

CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION

 

DISASTER NURSING ESSENTIALS: BUILDING COMPETENCE AND CONFIDENCE IN CRISIS RESPONSE

Presented by:

Dr. Li-Chen Lin, PhD, RN

 

Disclosure to Participants

This activity expires 8/1/2028, and after that time, even if the course is still accessible it cannot be used for nursing continuing education credits. UT Austin School of Nursing accredited provider unit is not responsible for any use of the program beyond its expiration date.

University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Requirements for Successful Completion

To receive contact hours for this continuing education activity, the participant must sign in, complete the entire module, and complete and submit the evaluation form. Once successful completion has been verified, a “Certificate of Successful Completion” will be awarded for 1.0 contact hours.

Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest occurs when an individual has an opportunity to affect or impact educational content with which he or she may have a commercial interest or a potentially biasing relationship of a financial nature. All planners and presenters/authors/content reviewers must disclose the presence or absence of a conflict of interest relative to this activity.

Education Disclaimer

The author(s) of this continuing education activity have made reasonable efforts to ensure that all information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific evidence at the time of publication. However, because information regarding medications, treatment guidelines, and other healthcare information is subject to constant change, the participant is advised to always confirm practice resources before applying any learned information in practice. Activities produced by UT Austin School of Nursing are intended solely for purposes of supplementing health care professionals’ knowledge. The opinions expressed in this educational activity are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing.

 

Time to complete this module: 1 hour

Original release date: 8/25/2025

End date: 8/1/2028