PURPOSE:  To propose a nursing model of contamination that describes the key features of contamination at a level of abstraction needed for clinical decision making.DATA SOURCES:  Relevant literature on contamination, biopreparedness, and classic epidemiologic literature were reviewed and analyzed.DATA SYNTHESIS:  A model of contamination was created along with a description of benefits of use in practice, education, and research.DISCUSSION:  The nursing profession is called to respond to contamination incidents on a local, national, and global level. Achieving optimum health outcomes while managing contamination incidents is enhanced by nurses' use of a model that incorporates six elements to identify and name instances of contamination and select suitable outcomes and interventions.