RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: National initiatives such as 'Joining Forces' and the 'Have you ever served in the military?' campaign increased awareness of the needs of the military and veteran population. Yet, empirical evidence suggests that nurses and other healthcare providers continue to report insufficient cultural competency, as well as knowledge and awareness of unique healthcare needs to provide optimal care to this population. PURPOSES: The study purposes were to explore nurses' and nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and comfort levels to care for veterans and their family, identify potential factors associated with these outcome measures, and examine the relationships between knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and comfort. METHOD: A quantitative, cross-sectional study design guided an online survey of 153 respondents. The military and veteran family cultural competency model provided a theoretical foundation. FINDINGS: Overall, the confidence in skills and abilities, and comfort levels on addressing military culture, providing care, and discussing health issues increases as participants' gain knowledge and awareness of the military. Having an immediate family member(s) who served in the military was a significant factor related to confidence. IMPLICATIONS: Nursing students and nurses in practice need education aimed at addressing the veteran care competencies, specifically military/veteran culture.
Asunto(s)
Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Estudiantes de Enfermería , Veteranos , Humanos , Estudiantes de Enfermería/psicología , Estudios Transversales , Veteranos/psicología , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Familia/psicología , Competencia Cultural , Persona de Mediana Edad , Actitud del Personal de Salud , Competencia ClínicaRESUMEN
The purpose of this article is to compare and discuss the preparation of civilian and military nurses in meeting the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. The military nursing system exemplifies a program of ongoing training and evaluations to prepare nurses to care for patients in austere environments. The lessons learned during the pandemic include adapting, collaborating, and expanding current practices in nursing to train and validate nursing skills continuously. The COVID-19 pandemic brought out the best in nursing and also provided a platform for further advancements toward organizing and delivering extraordinary care under unexpected circumstances.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Capitalizing on the veteran's extensive service experience, values, and norms, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) proposed Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention - Veterans' Bachelor of Science (VBSN) Program grants (2016-2019). PURPOSE: The purpose was to identify predictors of student veterans' (SV) progression and graduation rates in VBSN programs. METHODS: A descriptive correlational retrospective design was used. Two hundred and eighty-two (282) SV records were examined. RESULTS: One hundred and forty (140) SVs graduated (49.6%) and 107 (37.9%) were still enrolled. Only program delivery mode (hybrid) was significantly associated with completion and confirmed by logistic regression modeling. An increased representation of SVs' gender, race/ethnicity was present; however, gender, age, race, ethnicity, and veteran status did not significantly predict progression nor graduation. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid program delivery became the single predictor influencing VBSN progression and graduation. As non-traditional students in higher education with a history of social isolation and help-seeking stigma, this delivery mode may have assisted SV retention and persistence. With a registered nurse shortage and workforce calls for increased gender, race, and ethnic diversity, the findings suggest nursing education programs designed for veterans are a viable solution.