FEMA Nurses Face “Mission Impossible”

Dowd, a faculty member, is a strong proponent for nurses sharing their stories. Miller's story about her volunteer experience was so compelling that Dowd challenged her to share it with the nursing community. This story is a demonstration of how a nurse can bring leadership, sensitive interpersonal skills, and a sense of humor to help forge a cohesive and outward looking temporary community. Nurses naturally interact from a paradigm of care and comfort. Miller makes this interaction explicit. The outcome of the journey was a memorable lived experience that brought caring, healing, and comfort to a situation of devastation. It is hoped this nursing story will inspire the reader to try a similar new role or to tell their story.