Orlando Health Nurse Leaders Reflect on the Pulse Tragedy

In the predawn hours of Sunday, June 12, 2016, dozens of people hit by gunfire poured into Orlando Regional Medical Center's (ORMC) emergency department (ED) in Orlando, Florida. The largest mass-casualty shooting in American history happened just a few blocks from ORMC, Orlando Health's flagship hospital and the region's only level one trauma center. The gunman had opened fire at Pulse, a popular gay nightclub, during a crowded Latin night. Due to the close proximity of the nightclub to ORMC, first responders loaded victims into police cars and the backs of trucks, and transported them to the ED. The shooting resulted in the treatment of 44 total victims in just a few hours' time, testing the effectiveness of the disaster planning preparedness and the resiliency of team members. Nurse leaders played an important coordinating role during the unfolding disaster, and interprofessional collaboration became crucial to ensure that patients received optimal care. In the time that has elapsed since the 2016 tragedy, the Orlando Health team has been applauded on the national and international stages for their heroic initial response and for the care provided in the days and months that ensued. As nurse leaders reflect on lessons learned, successes can be attributed to 3 major themes: preparedness, teamwork, and a culture of resiliency.