PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing personal disaster preparation and disaster nursing core competency among visiting nurses in public health centers. METHODS: A descriptive survey study was adopted. A convenience sample was taken from 277 subjects in three regions. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression. RESULTS: The mean personal disaster preparation and disaster nursing core competency scores were 11.13 and 76.87, respectively. Personal disaster preparation was statistically significant by experience of disaster victims and disaster management guideline. Disaster nursing core competency was statistically significant by participation in future disaster recovery. As a result of multiple regression analysis, personal disaster preparation accounted for 14.9 of the variance by experience of disaster victims and disaster management guidelines; disaster nursing core competency accounted for 8.9 of the variance by perception of disaster nursing. CONCLUSION: Although visiting nurses are ill-prepared for disaster, global natural and man-made disasters can occur regardless of time and place. Disaster education and training should therefore be included in nurses' fundamental education.