The Importance of Veterans Health in Nursing Education

Abstract

Decades of wars contribute to veterans with a wide range of visible and invisible wounds, temporary and permanent, which can influence their health over a lifetime. The health of veterans is a growing public health concern, yet nursing education is still in the early stages of integrating military/veteranrelated content into already content heavy curricula. Nurses at the bedside lack adequate knowledge to care for this population in a culturally sensitive manner. This chapter provides a brief overview of veterans in today's society, the major health issues challenging military service members, veterans and their families, and national initiatives that have been the catalyst for change to meet this population's needs. It also addresses the current status of veteran-related content in nursing education, why it is important, and where we need to go moving forward to ensure nurses are educated to deliver culturally sensitive, patient-centered care to this population. BACKGROUNDThe health of veterans is a growing public health concern, yet nursing education may still be in the early stages of integrating military/veteran-related content into already content heavy curricula. This chapter provides an overview of veterans in today's society, the war eras they fought, the major health issues military/veteran health issues all volunteer force veteran healthcare costs military caregivers service-connected disability joining forces military/veteran cultural competency Never … was so much owed by so many to so few.

Meeting the complex healthcare needs of veterans

“…Arousal and awareness symptoms include being easily startled, feeling tense or on edge, and having difficulty sleeping or angry outbursts. Cognitive and mood symptoms such as trouble remembering the event, negative thoughts about oneself or the world, guilt or blame, and inability to enjoy activities can also impact veterans' lives 20…”

“…Unfortunately, among veterans, SUD is relatively common. Risk factors for SUD include combat exposure, PTSD, and TBI 20. Frequent deployments and family separation can also contribute to risk.…”

“…The Operation Iraqi Freedom campaign (2003) marked the beginning of an upward trend in suicide among members of the military, ultimately surpassing the civilian suicide rate 20. The 2019 veteran suicide rate was 31.6 per 100,000 approximately twice as high as the general population rate of 16.8 per 100,000.…”

“…Veterans seeking healthcare outside of the VHA are at greater risk for suicide than those receiving care within the VHA. Most will have had contact with a primary care provider but not a mental health provider 20. Providers should consider suicide risk with every veteran.…”

“…Untreated or undertreated mental illness and SUD increase the risk of suicide and/ or self-injurious behavior. Most veterans who die by suicide are middle-aged or older adults 20…”