Disaster preparedness: an indictment for action by nursing educators.

America is under constant threat of terrorist attack. The events of September 11, 2001, demonstrate the reality of the threat, as does the magnitude of the impact the attacks had on the healthcare systems of New York City and Washington, DC. Healthcare facilities and continuing education programs should incorporate training in nuclear, biological, and chemical disaster preparedness to provide the essential foundations for safe and effective health care. Advance training in disaster preparedness provides nurses with valuable training to fill the nationwide need for prepared first responders. American nurses have always responded selflessly to help in times of disaster and the country will be looking to nurses to respond to any future disasters.