Veteran-Centric Content Integration Into a Baccalaureate Nursing Curriculum

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Curriculum Development
• Veteran Healthcare

Background:

• Nurse educators seek effective strategies for addressing the needs of specific populations, including veterans.
• Integrating specialized content into nursing curricula is crucial for preparing competent healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the process of integrating veteran-centric content into an undergraduate nursing curriculum.
• To provide a framework for nurse educators to incorporate population-specific care into nursing education.

Main Methods:

• A literature review was conducted by Veterans Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership (VANAP) faculty.
• Veteran-centric competencies were developed, and content integration strategies were created.
• A content integration map was developed for baccalaureate nursing programs.

Main Results:

• Eight VANAP competencies were established to guide the integration of veteran-specific content.
• Veteran-centric content was successfully integrated into theory, clinical courses, and simulation experiences.
• A comprehensive content integration map was created for the curriculum.

Conclusions:

• The developed strategies offer a replicable model for incorporating veteran-centric care into nursing curricula.
• These methods can be adapted by nurse educators to integrate diverse population-specific content.
• This approach supports the development of culturally competent nurses prepared to serve various patient groups.