Army nursing practice challenges in humanitarian and wartime missions

Area of Science:

• Military Nursing
• Global Health
• Trauma Care

Background:

• Military nurses provide critical care during complex global operations.
• Operations other than war (MOOTW) and wartime present unique practice environments.
• Understanding these challenges is vital for effective nursing preparation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify nursing practice challenges faced by Army nurses in MOOTW and wartime.
• To explore the adaptations required for delivering patient care in austere settings.
• To inform training and preparation strategies for military nurses.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive qualitative research design.
• Focused interviews with 75 experienced Army Nurse Corps officers.
• Data collection from diverse global deployment locations including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Main Results:

• Nurses encountered significant challenges in delivering care during deployments.
• Multi-level traumatic injuries required specialized skill sets.
• Personal adaptation and resilience were essential for practice in austere conditions.
• High-quality patient care was delivered to both soldiers and civilian casualties.

Conclusions:

• Military nursing in MOOTW and wartime demands specialized competencies.
• Effective preparation and training are necessary for nurses to succeed in challenging operational environments.
• Understanding nurse experiences can improve future mission readiness and patient outcomes.