Old Case, New Tricks: Transforming Antimicrobial Education for Disaster Preparedness

J Nurs Educ. 2025 Apr;64(4):255-257. doi: 10.3928/01484834-20241122-04. Epub 2025 Apr 1.

Abstract

Background: Recent pandemics underscore the need to update teaching tools with relevant scenarios, preparing nursing students for future global health challenges.

Method: An antimicrobial stewardship case study was adapted to include pandemic scenarios in an accelerated nursing program, focusing on a fictional pandemic caused by Endurabacillus pandemica, a multidrug-resistant organism.

Results: Of 12 students, 8 (67%) reported increased awareness of disaster preparedness, 9 (75%) believed the scenarios effectively illustrated nurses' roles, and 10 (83%) agreed the scenarios accurately depicted challenges of managing resistant bacteria during a pandemic. Ten students (83%) reported the scenarios were engaging, and 11 (91%) found scenarios useful for applying pharmacological concepts. Qualitative feedback commended the realistic scenario progression and decision-making aspects.

Conclusion: Incorporating pandemic elements into case studies enriches nursing education with realistic experiences, preparing students for future challenges and integrating disaster preparedness without requiring entirely new content. [J Nurs Educ. 2025;64(4):255-257.].

MeSH terms

  • Antimicrobial Stewardship*
  • Curriculum
  • Disaster Planning* / organization & administration
  • Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate* / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Nursing Education Research
  • Pandemics
  • Students, Nursing* / psychology