Aims Nurses are key members of the health care team, providing competent care for individuals, families, and communities in elective or emergent conditions. When nurses are involved in disaster management without proper preparation, their capacity to deliver care may be significantly compromised. However, assessment nurses’ perceptions of disaster preparedness and core competence are limited. The study assessed the nurses’ perception of disaster preparedness and core competence. And the association between sociodemographic characteristics and disaster preparedness and core competence. Instrument & Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 22 to August 15, 2024, in four teaching hospitals (Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, Al-Kindi Teaching Hospital, and Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital) and three general hospitals (Al- Rumaitha Hospital, Alkhudier Hospital, and Al-Warkaa Hospital) in the mid-and south of Iraq. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20 and Microsoft Excel 2010 by an independent two-sample t-test analysis of variance (ANOVA) at p<0.05 significant level. Findings The total NPDCC score according to gender (p=0.044) and years of experience (p=0.021) had significant associations with the core competence perception. Also, the total NPDCC score according to the field of work (p=0.01), the nurses have a role in disasters (p=0.0291), and you have a role in disasters (p=0.0001) had significant associations with the disaster preparedness perception. Conclusion Most nurses have no clear image of their role in disaster preparedness and are incompetent.
