The Israeli health system had a critical role in leading the response to the COVID-19 pandemic facing a wide-range of challenges following the length and the unique characteristics of this health emergency. This study evaluated the weaknesses and strengths of the different parts of the system, relying on WHO building blocks to promote better coping with large-scale health emergencies.

The experiences of 13 high-level senior experts in the Israeli health system who directly managed COVID-19 were examined, using in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted during 2021. Critical and snowball sampling were used to select participants. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data analysis was conducted using ATLS.TI 22 software and reviewed by peers. The interviews were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. A theme expresses a broad central idea that tends to appear and reoccur in the analytical material in different forms of expression. Specifications and ideas were discussed among the researchers while engaging in repeated rereading of the transcriptions until saturation was achieved with the final themes.

The role of the Ministry of Health in integrating the health response and importance of spokespersons providing professional information increase trust as a crucial role of community health services in emergencies having political tensions reflected in the medical response. The Israeli Health system differ from hospital systems abroad by the relationships between preparedness during routine and emergency response. The importance of trust was highlighted.

The study demonstrates a deep understanding of the way the Israeli health system dealt with the pandemic, revealing needs, resources, weaknesses and strengths. The results offer a rare opportunity to learn how integration of service-delivery can be improved within the health system in all levels. These lessons should be translated to advance better handling of future emergencies.

Nurses’ broad knowledge and treatment skills are instrumental to disaster management. Roles, responsibilities, and practice take on additional dimensions to their regular roles during these times. Despite this crucial position, the literature indicates a gap between their actual work in emergencies and the investment in training and establishing response plans.

To explore trends in disaster nursing reflected in professional literature, link these trends to current disaster nursing competencies and standards, and reflect based on the literature how nursing can better contribute to disaster management.

A systematic literature review, conducted using six electronic databases, and examination of peer-reviewed English journal articles. Selected publications were examined to explore the domains of disaster nursing: policy, education, practice, research. Additional considerations were the scope of the paper: local, national, regional, or international. The International Nursing Councils’ (ICN) Disaster-Nursing competencies are examined in this context.

The search yielded 171 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Articles were published between 2001 and 2018, showing an annual increase. Of the articles, 48% (n = 82) were research studies and 12% (n = 20) were defined as dealing with management issues. Classified by domain, 48% (n = 82) dealt with practical implications of disaster nursing and 35% (n = 60) discussed educational issues. Only 11% of the papers reviewed policy matters, and of these, two included research. Classified by scope, about 11% (n =18) had an international perspective.

Current standards attribute a greater role to disaster-nursing in leadership in disaster preparedness, particularly from a policy perspective. However, this study indicates that only about 11% of publications reviewed policy issues and management matters. A high percentage of educational publications discuss the importance of including disaster nursing issues in the curricula. In order to advance this area, there is a need to conduct dedicated studies.