Veteran Competencies in Nursing Textbooks: Implications for Educators

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the adequacy of military/veteran-related content in nursing textbooks used in prelicensure programs. BACKGROUND With increased numbers of veterans receiving care in civilian settings, nurses may lack essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes outlined in competencies required to provide culturally sensitive veteran-centered care. One explanation for this may be inadequate preparation during prelicensure nursing education. METHOD A quantitative, descriptive study guided the analysis and rating of 32 key words in 24 textbooks across eight content areas. RESULTS Key words were included in most textbooks but frequently not connected to military service or veterans. The key word with the highest mean rating was posttraumatic stress disorder; the highest rated content area was psychiatric/mental health. CONCLUSION With limited textbook resources, nurse faculty must engage in deliberate efforts to include veteran content in nursing curricula. As competency-based education trends evolve, these findings are relevant and should be considered in curricular design and revision.KEY WORDS Cultural Competency -Military Personnel -Nursing Education -Nursing Education Research -Veterans V eteran-centered health care is an ongoing public health concern in the United States, resulting from nearly two decades of deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other less publicized locations. Over 18 million people in the United States are military veterans (US Department of Veterans Affairs [VA], 2019), constituting about 7.6 percent of the population (Schultz, 2017). Historically, military service members who sustained serious physical injury during war often did not survive, so their long-term care needs were not as apparent as they are for post-9/11 veterans (Baker, 2014;Geiling et al., 2012). With the passing of the VA MISSION Act in 2018, more veterans will seek care in their communities, outside VA hospitals and clinics (US Department of VA, 2019). Nurses and health care providers must be prepared to meet their needs. BACKGROUNDNurses practicing in every care setting encounter veterans from all age cohorts, various war eras, and health issues unique to military service. A growing body of evidence suggests that nurses may lack the essential knowledge, skills, or attitudes (KSAs) necessary to provide culturally sensitive veteran-centered care (

Analysis of Content Gaps in Prelicensure Nursing Textbooks to Meet Veteran Care Competencies

“…The researchers initially conducted a descriptive, quantitative study to evaluate the adequacy of military and veteran content in nursing textbooks used in prelicensure programs. 14 A list of 39 keywords, derived from the researchers' experiences, published literature, and veteran care competencies, were used to guide a review of 24 textbooks covering 8 content areas. Researchers independently reviewed each textbook for keyword frequency, narratively documenting teaching and learning activities, supplemental reading resources, and the depth of available content.…”

“…Quantitative analyses of individual keywords and content areas are reported elsewhere. 14 Secondary analysis is recognized as an effective method for analyzing existing data from a different perspective to answer new questions. 15 Findings from the initial study focused on the frequency and depth of keywords representing veteran-related health concepts present in nursing textbooks.…”

“…The researchers initially conducted a descriptive, quantitative study to evaluate the adequacy of military and veteran content in nursing textbooks used in prelicensure programs 14 . A list of 39 keywords, derived from the researchers' experiences, published literature, and veteran care competencies, were used to guide a review of 24 textbooks covering 8 content areas.…”

“…The most commonly adopted textbooks representing 3 academic publishers were selected. Quantitative analyses of individual keywords and content areas are reported elsewhere 14 …”