Nursing Knowledge Development in Special Populations-Female Veterans
NURSING KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS 4
NursingKnowledge Development in Special Populations-Female Veterans
NursingKnowledge Development in Special Populations-Female Veterans
Overthe decades, the nature of the United States military has undergonedramatic changes with the number of women serving in the U.S.military reaching a historical high of more than 15% (Bean-Mayberryet al., 2011). Military sexual trauma (MST) is a persistent problemin the army and the injurious mental health outcomes tied to itsoccurrence feature prominently in the literature. Professional nurseshave a responsibility of easing the symptoms associated with PTSDamong female veterans who are victims of sexual assault.
Evidenceshows MST is a major factor predisposing veterans to criminality andsubstance use disorders (DeStefano, 2013). Female veterans who arevictims of MST are more predisposed to the development ofpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to other womenreturning from combat duty (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,2012). I respect that the treatment for female veterans ought to betailored to individual symptoms or diagnoses. In light of this,health providers, including nurses, should employ interdisciplinaryapproaches to recognizing and adequately addressing the mental,physical, and emotional impacts of PTSD in female veterans. Regardingaesthetic knowing, awareness of the client’s unique situationinvolves enquiring whether the female client has ever experiencedsexual trauma. When making referrals for patients diagnosed withPTSD, nurses should exploit a collaborative approach that involvesboth the patient and family. The treatment should encompasstrauma-based psychotherapy and the use of psychoactive medications(Barbara, Lina, Margaret, Gregory, & Jemica, 2013).
Inconclusion, sexual trauma among females veterans is both rampant andunder treated. The treatment of women veterans with PTSD shouldinvolve the use of evidence-based medication and psychotherapies.Overall, the nurse’s capacity to evaluate or PTSD is central to theimprovement of recognition of the disorder and aiding female veteranssuffering from PTSD start and sustain discussions concerning symptomsand management. I acknowledge that my nursing role is to provide“trauma-informed” patient care across all settings. Under thepatient-centered care model, nurses should partner with femaleveterans to design personalized health plans.
References
Bean-Mayberry,B., Yano, E. M., Washington, D. L., Goldzweig, C., Batuman, F.,Huang, C., …Shekelle, P. G. (2011). Systematic review of womenveterans` health: Update on gaps and successes. Women`sHealth Issues, 21(4),84-97.
U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs. (2012). Militarysexual trauma.Virginia, VA: Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved fromhttp://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/trauma.asp
Barbara,J. S., Lina, B. D., Margaret, F., Gregory, B. G., & Jemica, C.(2013). Enhancing veteran-centered care: A guide for nurses in non-VAsettings. AJN,American Journal of Nursing, 113(7),24-39.
DeStefano,J. (Director). (2013, March 10). Journeyto normal: Women of war come home [Documentary].United States: The Heinz Endowments. Retrieved fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a99HPEDDuCI
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Nursing Knowledge Development in Special Populations Homeless Veterans
NursingKnowledge Development in Special Populations: Homeless Veterans
Nursing Knowledge Development in Special Populations: HomelessVeterans
Veterans have often been left homeless because of various challengesand lack of a proper support system. However, recently, thegovernment has introduced various initiatives to assist the victims.This essay will capture the statistics of the homeless veterans inthe years back, and one useful resource while illustrating the roleof the nurses in helping them.
Over time, the number of the homeless veterans has kept decliningsince the government was forced to intervene. In 1987 roughly 40% ofthe homeless men were veterans, and most of them had participated inthe Vietnam War (McMurray-Avila, 2001). 1996 saw a reduction of thenumber to 23%, and some of them had been in the Gulf War. In 2010,the number had reached around 8.8% of the population that make up thehomeless people in the urban centers (National Coalition for HomelessVeterans, n.d.). The changes show progress because the measuresimplemented are effective.
HUD/VA Supported Housing Program (HUD-VASH) is one of the resourcesthat help the homeless veterans. More important, it has assisted infinding proper housing and access medical services that they mightneed (McMurray-Avila, 2001). Nurses play a huge role in the processof dealing with these patients and ensuring that they have everythingthat they might want. Among the homeless people, some of the mentallyill while others have substance abuse disorders. As a result, it isthe work of the nurses to identify the extent of their problems anddetermine the particular treatment that will be effective. Theoutreach and the extensive clinical care are other services that thenurses provide.
In conclusion, the nurses are of great assistance in the recovery ofthe homeless veterans and ensuring that they are mentally andphysically stable. In fact, such measures reveal how the governmentis prepared to guide them through all the challenges that they mightface.
References
McMurray-Avila, M. (2001). Homeless Veterans and Health Care: AResource Guide for Providers. Retrieved 3 April 2017 fromhttp://www.nhchc.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/10/HomelessVetsHealthCare.pdf
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (n.d.). Background &Statistics. Retrieved3 April 2017 fromhttp://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/
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