International Journal of Nursing Practice,

International Journal of Nursing Practice,

Nurses need to understand what specific requirements are necessary to ensure veterans are eligible for health benefits. Determining the veteran’s minimum lengths of service, type of discharge, environmental exposures, and psychosocial characteristics of the time period in which the individual served are important first steps. When determining mental health status of a serviceman it is vital to develop a good rapport with both the individual themselves as well as the family. The most important step for nurses when advocating for veterans is to educate themselves on the primary issues. Immersing one’s self in veteran and military specific organizations, pushing for faculty development opportunities that provide trainings on veteran issues, and attending seminars and courses specific to the military population are all examples of how to advocate for these servicemen and their families.

References

Begley, A. M. (2010). On being a good nurse: Reflections on the past and preparing for the future. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 16, 525-532. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-172X.2010.01878.

Olenick, M., Flowers, M., & Diaz, V. J. (2015). US veterans and their unique issues: Enhancing health care professional awareness. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 6, 635-639. https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S89479

Weber, J., & Clark, A. (2016, May 18). Legislative: Providing veteran-specific healthcare. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol21No02LegCol01

Westphal, R. J., & Convoy, S. P. (2015). Military culture implications for mental health and nursing care. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 20. Retrieved from http://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-20-2015/No1-Jan-2015/Military-Culture-Implications.html