In a major catastrophic situation, the help of specifically trained professional personnel is greatly needed in different fields of duty and for different tasks. However, because these professionals, including health personnel and particularly nursing professionals, become actively involve in these rescue missions, they can be considered potential victims of the situation due to the psychological exposure they have to undertake.

It is thus imperative for nursing professionals to be informed and duly trained to set into action mechanisms that will help them diminish the effect of the psychological consequences of being involved in such tragedies. After a major catastrophe, it is important to assess whether the nursing personnel that participated in the rescue are in need of psychological help. This psychological help will help them deal with the emotional turmoil or unease that the situation may have brought about and determine whether they need further psychological therapy that will help them reduce the sequelae from possible post-traumatic stress, which they are likely to suffer despite their professionalism and training.