Hello, everyone! I’m Bielle Ezra M. Jardeleza, an incoming fourth-year nursing student. Last December, I had the incredible opportunity to be selected as one of the exchange students from our college to join a program at Nagoya University, where we studied Disaster Nursing in the Japanese context.
Like the Philippines, Japan is highly vulnerable to natural disasters—typhoons in our country, and earthquakes and tsunamis in theirs. However, one key difference that stood out to me was the remarkable level of preparedness Japan has achieved. Their cutting-edge infrastructure, well-established evacuation protocols, and strong emphasis on community-based preparedness were truly eye-opening. It made me reflect on the areas we can strengthen here at home, particularly in terms of disaster risk reduction and emergency nursing.
One of the highlights of our experience was participating in a disaster simulation, where we assumed the roles of geriatric patients. We wore special gear that simulated impaired vision, muffled hearing, and joint stiffness as we navigated an earthquake evacuation scenario. This hands-on activity gave us valuable insight into the challenges vulnerable populations face during disasters.
In this course, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the roles and skills nurses must develop during times of crisis—especially in providing not just timely physical care, but also emotional support, as these situations are often overwhelming and anxiety-inducing for patients. I also look forward to learning more about the strategies and systems in place for disaster preparedness in the Philippine context. My personal goal is to master the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become hopefully become a competent and compassionate disaster nurse in the future.