Social network analysis: Exploring connections to advance military nursing science.

BACKGROUND: Military nurse scientists are embedded in service-affiliated branches (Army, Navy, Air Force) with different missions, but with the singular purpose of generating and disseminating research impacting the health and well-being of DoD beneficiaries. PURPOSE: This project examines collaboration among TriService Nursing Research Program (TSNRP) members, seeking opportunities to strengthen, diversify, and expand research collaboration. METHOD: Social network analysis (SNA) is the empirical inquiry of relations among social actors at different levels of analysis. An electronic SNA assessment and total enumerative sampling were used to explore current collaborations among PhD-prepared military nurse scientists (N = 136). FINDINGS: The TSNRP collaboration network has a complex service-driven structure with high status actors whose advice, knowledge, or skills are sought by others, and who function as connectors or bridges across service branches. DISCUSSION: For military scientists, SNA is instrumental in identifying influential individuals, visualizing opportunities for intraservice mentoring, designing responsive policy, and directing career opportunities for novice scientists.

Implementing a Transition-to-Practice Program for Novice Clinical Nurse Specialists: A Pilot Project.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a transition-to-practice program on job satisfaction among novice clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) in the US Air Force. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: A needs assessment was conducted among currently practicing Air Force CNSs (n = 30) to establish the necessity for a transition-to-practice program. Newly graduated CNSs (n = 8) were paired with experienced CNS mentors and met every 2 weeks for 2 months to discuss progress on the CNS core competencies. Before beginning the program, mentees self-reported perceptions related to the core competencies. Mentors focused on areas of self-reported low competency. The Nursing Context Index was administered preintervention and postintervention to assess the program's impact on job satisfaction. OUTCOMES: Overall job satisfaction among novice CNSs improved from 5.01 to 5.57 (scale, 1-7) after completing the program. Personal satisfaction (4.30-5.63) and satisfaction with professional support (5.28-6.00) showed the greatest improvement out of the 4 elements of job satisfaction evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Transition-to-practice programs can be beneficial for novice CNSs in establishing their practice. Future studies with larger sample sizes over longer periods of time are necessary to determine the true impact of similar programs.

Propuesta de un diseño de carrera profesional para la enfermería militar / A proposal for military nursing career design

Introducción: En ausencia, en la actualidad, de un modelo de carrera profesional para enfermería militar se propone un diseño que, buscando la excelencia profesional, dé respuesta a las necesidades de la organización. Objetivo: Diseñar una propuesta de carrera profesional para la enfermería militar. Material y Métodos: Se diseñó un modelo de carrera profesional basado en tres variables, contempladas por la Ley de Carrera Militar: capacitación para asumir puestos de mayor responsabilidad, ascenso a sucesivos empleos militares y ocupación de destinos. Población y muestra: Personal en activo en la Escala de Oficiales Enfermeros (E.O.E.). Recogida de datos: Se obtuvieron datos, a través de la Dirección General de Personal, de la situación actual de la E.O.E. (años de servicio, empleos, efectivos/empleo, años/empleo). Se realizó una búsqueda de información en relación con todos los modelos propuestos en España por las Comunidades Autónomas (CC.AA.), así como, la legislación militar y civil de aplicación en este ámbito. Resultados: Se propone un modelo de carrera profesional en base a cinco grados correspondiendo con otros tantos empleos militares. Se describen las funciones y tipo de destino a ocupar de acuerdo al nivel de desempeño profesional. Conclusiones: Es preciso desarrollar un modelo de carrera profesional para la enfermería militar que oriente la trayectoria individual de sus componentes, la catalogación de puestos, los sistemas de evaluación y la formación precisa para alcanzar diversos niveles competenciales en base a las necesidades de las Fuerzas Armadas

Introduction: Due to the current inexistence of a specific professional career for the military nurses, this paper aims to propose a design that both stresses professional excelence and meets the needs of the organisation. Objectives: To design a proposal for the military nursing career. Materials and Methods: This new model for professional career was based on the three dimensions considered by the "Ley de Carrera Militar" (Military Career Law): abiltation to assume positions of higher responsibility, promotion to successive military positions and destination occupation. Population and Sample: Serving staff in the Official Military Nurse Scale (OMNS). Data gathering: Data were obtained through the "Dirección General de Personal" concerning current situations (service years, positions, effectives/ position, years/position). An information search was conducted through all the models proposed in Spain by the Autonomous Communities, and the relevant legislation, both military and civil. Results: The proposed model of nursing professional career is based on five degrees corresponding to the same number of military positions. The functions and type of destination are described according to the level of professional performance. Conclusions: It seems necessary to introduce a new model of professional career useful to guide the individual trajectory of the military nurses, the position lists, the evaluation systems and the required training to reach the different performance levels according to the needs of the Armed Forces

[From corpsman to rescuer, the missed nurse's ideal towards the end of italian Risorgimento]. / Da portaferiti a soccorritore, l'ideale mancato di infermiere militare sul finir del Risorgimento italiano.

INTRODUCTION: Military corps have always been supported by healthcare providers who took care of the injured and sick soldiers. Traditionally the military nurse's figure has never been fully appreciated to the point that, even nowadays, it is still searching for its own identity. AIM: The aim of the study is to describe the military nurse's role from the Second War for Italian Independence (1859) to the conquest of Rome (1870). METHODS: Historical investigation. Secondary sources were consulted to carry out a geopolitical and historical contextualization of the reference period, while to trace the military nurse's evolution the team referred to primary sources. All the mentioned sources were analyzed according to Chabod's methodology (2012). RESULTS: The military nurse was born as a corpsman. The Risorgimento wars contributed to highlight the major contribution that nurses could give to military healthcare. In 1863 the Ministry of War elaborated a new and innovative profile for military nurses which foresaw particular physical and moral requirements, but also specific competences. Even though a new ideal of nurse was created, the Military Nurses Corp did not experience any changes: the nurses' activities remained transporting the injured and assisting doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Primary sources analysis highlighted an important attention towards the military nurse's role and education after national unity, although the gap shown by the military healthcare service during the Risorgimento battles was evident. Such condition facilitated the development of the first rescue committees which became, at a later time, the International Red Cross. The committees popularity allowed the volunteers to gain higher fame and social prestige than military nurses.

Informe sobre necesidades de formación en nuevas tecnologías de los enfermeros militares / Report on training needs in new technologies for military nurses

ANTECEDENTES: En los últimos años, la Sanidad Militar ha ido incorporando diferentes innovaciones tecnológicas para mejorar la calidad y la eficiencia asistencial y resolver las necesidades sanitarias, tanto de los centros de la Red Hospitalaria Militar como de las Unidades Sanitarias desplazadas. El enfermero militar ha tenido que adaptar su forma de trabajar a las características de los nuevos sistemas, por lo que debe desarrollar nuevos conocimientos y competencias, con la formación tecnológica adecuada y los recursos y dispositivos necesarios y más actualizados. OBJETIVOS: Hacer un sondeo sobre la formación tecnológica de los enfermeros militares y los medios de los que disponen y descubrir los problemas que se encuentran. METODOLOGÍA: Encuesta a 33 enfermeros destinados en diversas unidades de las Fuerzas Armadas sobre los medios tecnológicos de los que disponen y la formación recibida. RESULTADOS: Existen equipos y sistemas obsoletos y deficiencias en la formación de los enfermeros

ANTECEDENS: In recent years, the Military Health has been incorporating different technological innovations to improve the quality and efficiency of care and to solve the health needs of both the centers of the Military Hospital Network and the displaced Health Units. The military nurse has had to adapt his way of working to the characteristics of the new systems, so he must develop new knowledge and skills, with the appropriate technological training and the necessary and most updated resources and devices. Objectives: To carry out a survey on the technological training of the military nurses and the means at their disposal and to discover the problems that are found. Methodology: Survey of 33 nurses assigned to various units of the Armed Forces about the technological means available to them and the training received. Results: There are obsolete equipment and systems and deficiencies in the training of nurses

Nurse education in the British armed forces.

Defence nurses form the largest registered specialty in the UK defence medical services. Once qualified, defence nurses maintain and develop their nursing and clinical skills in appropriate healthcare settings, and can be deployed in operational environments such as Afghanistan. Workforce planning and staffing establishment levels are defined to meet the needs of British armed forces, allies and, potentially, local populations. Since the workforce is geographically dispersed, deployed or undertaking non-clinical duties, there are constraints on nurses' attempts to maintain basic skills and access continuing professional development. This article explores the concept and the developing role of defence nurse lecturers in improving educational support for defence nurses.

Enfermero transfusor como especialidad complementaria en las Fuerzas Armadas / Transfusion nurse as a complementary specialisation in the Armed Forces

La sangre es un recurso crítico de disponibilidad limitada, necesidad imprevisible y con gran dependencia del transporte para su suministro a zona de operaciones. La sanidad militar de los ejércitos aliados plantea diversas soluciones: donación de emergencia, de sangre total y plaquetoaféresis, transfusión de sangre completa, congelación de hemocomponentes, instauración del «point of care». El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer la situación actual de la enfermería como profesión y desarrollar una propuesta formativa de especialidad complementaria dentro del Cuerpo Militar de Sanidad, el enfermero transfusor, que permita adaptar las soluciones propuestas a las necesidades de las Fuerzas Armadas Españolas. La implementación de este perfil educativo podría mejorar la seguridad transfusional y disminuir los requisitos logísticos para conseguir la misión, que no es otra que disponer de componentes sanguíneos cumpliendo los estándares de calidad (AU)

Blood is a critical resource with limited availability, unpredictable need and high transportation dependency for its supply to operations zone. Military healthcare of allied armed forces suggests various solutions: walking blood bank, of fresh whole blood and platelet aphaeresis, fresh whole blood transfusion, frozen blood components, point of care establishment. The aim of this work is to introduce current situation of nursery as profession and develop a training proposal of complementary specialisation within the Spanish Military Healthcare Body, the transfusion nurse, which allows to adapt the proposed solutions to the Spanish Armed Forces' needs. The implementation of this educational profile could improve transfusion safety and reduce logistic requirements to accomplish the mission, which is not other than making blood components available, meeting the required quality standards (AU)

Sobre las especialidades complementarias en Enfermería / No disponible

No disponible

La enseñanza en Sanidad Militar. Una visión actual y de futuro / Education in the Military Health System. A current and future vision

No disponible

La dinámica asistencial operativa del enfermero militar venezolano / The operative assistance dynamics of the Venezuelan military nurse

Con esta investigación se intenta disminuir las insuficiencias en el proceso de formación del enfermero militar, de manera que pudiera ser perfeccionado su ejercicio profesional. Para ello se aborda la dinámica asistencial operativa de este especialista, que contiene configuraciones y dimensiones que lo particularizan en su preparación profesional; además se declaran nuevas relaciones y categorías para el desarrollo de su práctica operativa, con la lógica que se debe seguir en esta construcción teórica: de lo general a lo singular y viceversa(AU)

This investigation is intended to diminish the inadequacies in the process of the military nurse training, so that their professional performance could be improved. The operative assistance dynamics of this specialist is approached with that purpose. It contains configurations and dimensions that particularize it in their professional training; new relationships and categories are also declared for the development of their operative practice, with the logic that should be followed in this theoretical construction: from the general fields to the singular ones and vice versa(AU)

La dinámica asistencial operativa del enfermero militar venezolano / The operative assistance dynamics of the Venezuelan military nurse

Con esta investigación se intenta disminuir las insuficiencias en el proceso de formación del enfermero militar, de manera que pudiera ser perfeccionado su ejercicio profesional. Para ello se aborda la dinámica asistencial operativa de este especialista, que contiene configuraciones y dimensiones que lo particularizan en su preparación profesional; además se declaran nuevas relaciones y categorías para el desarrollo de su práctica operativa, con la lógica que se debe seguir en esta construcción teórica: de lo general a lo singular y viceversa.

This investigation is intended to diminish the inadequacies in the process of the military nurse training, so that their professional performance could be improved. The operative assistance dynamics of this specialist is approached with that purpose. It contains configurations and dimensions that particularize it in their professional training; new relationships and categories are also declared for the development of their operative practice, with the logic that should be followed in this theoretical construction: from the general fields to the singular ones and vice versa.

Clinical Experience and Learning Style of Flight Nurse and Aeromedical Evacuation Technician Students.

BACKGROUND: The clinical experience and preferred learning style of U.S. Air Force flight nurses and aeromedical evacuation technicians are unknown. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional survey design, we gathered data regarding the clinical experience, level of comfort providing clinical care, and preferred learning style of 77 active duty (AD), Air Force Reserve (AFR), and Air National Guard (ANG) nurses enrolled in the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine Flight Nurse course, and 121 AD, AFR, and ANG medical technicians enrolled in the Aeromedical Evacuation Technician course. RESULTS: Nurses and medical technicians reported 7.6 ± 5.5 and 3.9 ± 4.5 yr of experience, respectively. AD, AFR, and ANG nurses had comparable years of experience: 5.8 ± 3.2, 8.3 ± 6.6, and 7.9 ± 4.2 yr, respectively; however, AD medical technicians had more years of experience (5.6 ± 4.4 yr) than AFR (3.1 ± 4.8 yr) and ANG (1.9 ± 2.8 yr) medical technicians. Both nurses and medical technicians reported infrequently caring for patients with various disease processes and managing equipment or devices that they will routinely encounter when transporting patients as an aeromedical evacuation clinician. Nurses and medical technicians preferred a kinesthetic learning style or a multimodal learning style that included kinesthetic learning. Nearly all (99%) nurses and 97% of medical technicians identified simulation as their preferred teaching method. DISCUSSION: These findings confirm faculty concerns regarding the clinical experience of flight nurse and aerospace evacuation technician students.De Jong MJ, Dukes SF, Dufour KM, Mortimer DL. Clinical experience and learning style of flight nurse and aeromedical evacuation technician students. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(1):23-29.

The Role of Army Nurse Practitioners Supporting Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Family nurse practitioners are an essential member of the military medical team. They were incorporated into the Army medical system almost as soon as there was an academic program to develop the role in primary care settings. The role for nurse practitioners during deployment has not been as clear. Even though they have been around for 50 years, the specific role nurse practitioners provide is still evolving. This article explores the incorporation of nurse practitioners into Army medicine with a focus on deployed medicine. Nurse practitioners have been shown to be very versatile providers with the requisite skill sets to meet the demands of the combat environment and are able to substitute for other medical assets that are critically short due to sustained conflict. Clarifying the value a nurse practitioner brings to medical care in the combat environment is essential to insure all assets are being employed to provide the best medical care to the US fighting force.

A pilot study to evaluate the utility of live training (LIVEX) in the operational preparedness of UK military trauma teams.

BACKGROUND: With the end of UK military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is essential that peacetime training of Defence Medical Services (DMS) trauma teams ensures appropriate future preparedness. A new model of pre-deployment training involves placement of formed military trauma teams into civilian trauma centres. This study evaluates the benefit of 'live training during an exercise period' (LIVEX) for DMS trauma teams. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of participants was conducted. Quantitative data were collected prior to the start and on the final day. Written reports were collected from the coordinators. Thematic analysis was used to identify emergent themes in a supplementary, qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Each team comprised 13 personnel and results should be interpreted with knowledge of this small sample size. The response rate for both the pre-LIVEX and post-LIVEX questionnaire was 100%. By the end of the week, 89% of participants (n=23) stated LIVEX was an 'appropriate or very appropriate' way of preparing for an operational role compared with 40% (n=9) before the exercise (p<0.01). However, completing LIVEX made no difference to participants' personal perception of their own operational preparedness. Thematic analysis suggested greater training benefit for more junior members of the team; from Regulars and Reservists training together; and from two-way exchange of information between DMS and National Health Service medical staffs. CONCLUSIONS: Completing LIVEX made no statistically significant difference to participants' personal perception of their own operational preparedness, but the perception of LIVEX as an appropriate training platform improved significantly after conducting the training exercise.

Mentoring from Afar: Nurse Mentor Challenges in the Canadian Armed Forces.

There is an integral connection between leadership, mentoring and professional career progression within the nursing profession. The purpose of this article is to examine recommendations and best practices from the literature and provide a basis to construct a formalized successful mentoring dyad program with guidelines on establishing and maintaining a productive mentoring relationship over long distance. Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) nurses practice within a unique domain both domestically and abroad. The military environment incorporates many aspects of mentoring that could benefit significantly by distance interchange. Supported through examining literature within nursing, CAF publications and other professions along with contrasting successful distance mentoring programs, the findings suggest that a top-down, leadership-driven formal mentoring program could be beneficial to CAF nurses. The literature review outlines definitions of terms for mentorship and distance mentoring or e-mentoring. A cross section of technology is now embedded in all work environments with personal communication devices commonplace. Establishing mentoring relationships from afar is practical and feasible. This article provides a guided discussion for nursing leaders, managers and grassroots nurses to implement mentoring programs over distances. The recommendations and findings of this article could have universal applications to isolated nursing environments outside of Canadian military operational frameworks.

Nurturing a positive research culture: the Academic Department of Military Nursing perspective.

The structure and quality of nurse education in the UK has been scrutinised for many decades, culminating in a significant shift from ward-based learning at certificate level to that at diploma or degree level being delivered in higher education institutions. This professionalisation of nursing in the last decade of the 20th century was influenced by major changes in Department of Health policy, which demanded that a sound evidence base must be applied to nursing practice thereby replicating the model of evidence-based medicine. The requirement for care delivery to be evidence based is built on the premise that a continual research programme to investigate, disseminate and implement findings will enhance decision making in the clinical environment, thereby improving standards of care and patient outcomes. However, for this to be achieved there is an organisational responsibility to drive a positive research culture in order to effectively generate new knowledge and expertise. This paper explores the nursing research culture in the NHS and the strategies employed by the Defence Medical Services for supporting its nurses to generate the high-quality evidence that informs best practice.