Returning war veterans and their families have various healthcare needs that have not been handled adequately. Indeed, thousands of soldiers return home with diverse demands, but the available care providers do not provide professional patient-oriented services, which include access to primary healthcare for non-fatal wounds and effects of combat. The veterans require specialized and social care to combat trauma that could have been contracted during combat. Due to the nature of their healthcare needs, it is essential for nursing professionals to advocate for the plight of this vulnerable populace. In this regard, this essay gives various attributes of the nursing profession that allow for health advocacy, veterans’ advocacy needs, and nursing responsibilities.
As mentioned earlier, veterans require primary care for their health conditions, specialized care, and ultimate social support to aid families to live with them comfortably (Jackonis, Deyton, & Hess, 2008) . Casualties and injuries in combat are a source of trauma, which affect veterans, and this is where nurses come in to provide primary care. However, the essence of caring for veterans has taken too long to transform since the era of Nightingale (Karpf, Ferguson, & Swift, 2010). In this regard, a nurse should be courageous and filled with empathy to pursue the goals of advocacy. Historically, advocates for the health needs of military veterans have been faced with stringent barriers, which required courage to overcome and ensure that the goals of the advocacy are achieved. To this end, contemporary nurses need commitment, ethical competency, and morals to restrain them from opting for unethical means of advocating for the patients’ needs. In addition, discernment is an important attribute that modern-day nurses should possess as it helps them to quickly identify the healthcare needs of veterans who may be sociologically challenged and lack the incentives to communicate what they require (Begley, 2010). Nonetheless, the process of advocacy should be supported by research-based evidence to ensure that there is sustainability in the provision of such services.
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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 (6), 525-532.
Jackonis, M. J., Deyton, L., & Hess, W. J. (2008). War, its aftermath, and US health policy: Toward a comprehensive health program for America's military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Karpf, T., Ferguson, J. T., & Swift, R. Y. (2010). Light still shines in the darkness: Decent care for all. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 28 (4), 266-274.
