IMPACT OF VETERAN-CENTRIC PREPARED NURSES ON VETERAN OUTCOMES

Abstract

Background: Developing and including Veteran‐centric care in nursing curriculum is becoming important when taking into consideration that more than 85% of veteran patients receive health care outside the Veterans Affairs (VA) system (Nelson, Starkebaum, Reiber, 2007).  Method: Veteran Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership (VANAP) represents an innovative alternative to nursing education that practices collaboration between VA facilities and accredited academic Schools of Nursing.

Results: The curriculum exposes nursing students to concepts that will allow them to practice Veteran-centric nursing care.

Conclusion: Upon graduation, students have a firm understanding of (a) military basics, including knowledge of the different branches, associated terms, and core values; (b) military culture and the warrior ethos; (c) the challenges of deployment and reintegration on service member, their families, and communities; (d) the nursing implications and how to approach these patients.