grassroots lobbying.
Another need for veterans is transitional support. Deyton et al. (2008) identify the lack of this support as another reason for homelessness and lack of health insurance access for veterans. Before I discharged from the military, my superiors encouraged me to attend a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) class. While participating in this class with about 50 others, I noticed only three other officers. The rest were enlisted. In the military, officers have at least a bachelor’s degree. The enlisted may also have some college background, but most are high school educated and trained on the job. The three officers and I left the class with a stack of papers and extreme confusion. While discussing our fears, we rationalized how fortunate we were that our education gave us opportunities on our exit. Many others in the class were realizing challenges of employment as they described jobs in which they applied and were turned down. Great fear was evident among the group.
Advocating Efforts
The development of policy is necessary to getting veterans healthcare access and supporting their transitional process. Deyton et al. (2008) point out resources available are fragmented, and integration is essential. Policy at the Agency Secretary level requiring coordination of these resources can make this integration possible (Deyton et al., 2008). As a Navy veteran nurse, I’m responsible for advocating for policy to make the transition smooth for military veterans and their families.
Advocating skills necessary for a transitioning military veteran policy include grassroots lobbying. Nurses should focus on developing relationships with their local legislatures and educate those legislatures on nursing interests (Milstead, 2013). Milstead (2013) identifies nurse constituents as valuable resources in grassroots efforts and suggests nurses join specialty nurse organizations to develop the skills necessary. Nurses who anticipate lobbying for policy should educate themselves on the lawmaking process and ethics laws to be most effective in their efforts (Milstead, 2013). Development in advocacy skills to participate in grassroots efforts are necessary to support policy in helping military veterans and their
