VETERAN AND MILITARY HEALTH CARE– AN EMERGING NURSING SPECIALTY
Veteran and military health care is an emerging nursing specialty based on the unique attributes of the veteran and military service member population and health care delivery systems. With over 22 million beneficiaries in the Veterans Administration (VA)1 and 9.6 million in the Military Health System (MHS)2, this new specialty is emerging based on the complex systems of care in the VA3 and MHS2, advances in combat casualty care, the large influx of veterans and service members into the health care system post an extended period of conflict, and the growing health care needs of service members, veterans and their families.
Background
The MHS is fundamentally different than any other health system as its mission is to provide medical support to military operations worldwide. The MHS includes combat medical services, force readiness, health care delivery, public health, education and training, and research and development.2 The VA is also unique in its mission to ensure veterans receive medical care, benefits, social support, and lasting memorials in recognition of their service.3
Process
To determine the need for grounding in an academic nursing specialty, a combination of ten focus groups, interviews, and brown bag sessions were conducted with key personnel in veteran and military health care and in academia in Colorado and the National Capitol Region of Washington, DC. There was overwhelming support for a specialty area of practice in veteran and military health care.
Outcomes
Specific needs of this population that were identified include maintaining a ready force, care during military operations, invisible and visible consequences of war, the effects of military service on health and aging, veteran and military culture, and veteran and military family dynamics. Additionally, there were many systems specific issues that cross between the VA and MHS related to health care, access to care, benefits based on disability, and policies/regulations at the federal level.
Conclusions
At the University of Colorado, College of Nursing, there is strong support for helping those who care for our military and veterans. To that end, new graduate academic programs are being proposed with the first course, Veteran and Military Health Care Systems, launching January 2015. Based on responses from the sampling, the next courses to be developed will be Resiliency in Veteran and Military Families, Behavioral Health for Veterans and Service Members, and Current Issues in Veteran and Military Health Care. Initially, courses can be taken for either credit or contact hours through Professional Development/Extended Studies. Graduate credits can be applied as electives in the PhD and DNP programs and in the future to a Graduate Certificate in Military and Veteran Health Care.