Date of Graduation

Winter 12-16-2016

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Department/Program

Nursing

First Advisor

Juli Maxworthy

Second Advisor

Timothy Godfrey

Third Advisor

Neftali Cabezudo

Abstract

Abstract

U.S. Veterans are a vulnerable patient population, more prone to health disparities as compared to the general population. There are 21.8 million Veterans currently in the United States, with the majority receiving their healthcare outside of the Veteran Health Administration. Veterans form a culture that is steeped in military tradition and it is essential that healthcare providers have knowledge regarding this vulnerable population to provide care that is culturally appropriate. In response to the Veteran healthcare crisis, the Department of Veteran Affairs initiated the Veteran Affairs Nursing Academy Partnership (VANAP), a joint venture between VHA medical centers and schools of nursing, with a focus on caring for Veteran patients. One outcome of these partnerships was the evidence-based development of ten competencies designed to provide nursing students with the minimal preparation necessary in caring for Veterans. Given the majority of Veterans seek healthcare outside of the VHA system, these competencies should not be limited to students in a VANAP program. The University of San Francisco, being part of the VANAP initiative, has a great opportunity to bring these competencies to all of its students. The focus of this project was to create an evidence-based toolkit for nurse educators, containing ten educational modules based on the ten competencies. The modules were evaluated by Veteran and education subject matter experts for appropriateness of content, being able to meet the metrics of knowledge acquisition, and ease of use. They will be available online to allow for easy accessibility.

Key Words: Veterans, healthcare, PTSD, homelessness, TBI, end of life, suicide, amputation, military, exposures, MST, substance use, disparities, toolkit, effectiveness, cultural competence, cultural sensitivity, cultural awareness, nursing students, nursing, VANAP.

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