In the last decade, natural and man-made disasters around the world have increased in both frequency and severity. Health care providers and nurses in particular have expressed the need and desire for a better understanding of disaster nursing concepts and practice. Nursing schools have been challenged to lead these efforts, to respond to calls for help during disasters and to prepare the workforce of the future to effectively respond to all types of disasters. In the U.S, the International Nursing Coalition for Mass Casualty Education worked with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to develop essential competencies for baccalaureate nurses. Subsequently, competencies were developed for graduate advance practice nurses. The International Council of Nurses Partnered with the World Health Organization to formalize similar competencies appropriate for nurses to respond to disasters across the globe. These core guidelines and other discipline specific guidance served as the foundation for building a curriculum with a strong emphasis on disaster nursing.