Duties and Responsibilities of a Military Nurse
ALTHOUGH EVERY MEMBER OF THE HEALTHCARE TEAM SHOULD BE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE OTHER TEAM MEMBERS AND WORK WITH THEM TO ACHIEVE THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME FOR THEIR PATIENTS, NURSES ULTIMATELY HAVE THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY TO INFLUENCE THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL RECOVERY OF WAR-INJURED AMPUTEES.
During the inpatient phase, nurses spend more time with these patients than any other healthcare provider and are responsible for carrying out their own scope of work as well as the interventions ordered by other team members. These responsibilities include:
- Monitoring wounds for infection
- Preparing patients for surgeries and debridements (the cutting away of foreign material or dead or contaminated tissue from a wound)
- Providing preoperative and postoperative care
- Checking the efficacy of the method used to reduce postsurgical swelling in the residual limb and reapplying it when necessary and appropriate
- Monitoring pain medication to maintain it at a level at which rest and relaxation can be achieved so that the rigorous process of rehabilitation can be carried out
- Teaching the injured how to care for themselves
Providing emotional support and facilitating peer visitation.Helping patients with exercises to maintain their flexibility and muscle strength and to prevent their joints from becoming contracted is one of the duties of physical and occupational therapists. Nurses, however, will need to monitor and oversee these exercises as they are carried out by the patients themselves between visits to their therapists. Nurses will also:
- Help patients with activities of daily living
- Accompany them as they learn how to use one or more assistive devices
- Encourage them as they begin the necessary and tedious task of learning to put on
Military Nurse Job Description and Scope of Practice
The military nurse performs the same duties as the civilian nurse. The nurse may administer medications, perform prescribed treatments, assess patient status, monitor patient progress and assist physicians in surgical procedures.
The difference between a military nurse and her civilian counterpart is that the military nurse may be assigned anywhere in the country or overseas. The military has height, weight, and training requirements even for nurses. Therefore, a military nurse will be required to be healthy and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. Military nurses can be deployed to overseas or combat zones.
Activities of the Military Nurse in Health Care Delivery System
Wound Care
Military nurses must be particularly skilled at caring for combat wounds. In a field nursing station, military nurses assess the degree of care each injury requires and administer appropriate, non-surgical treatment. Common wounds include knife or gunshot, shrapnel-related, abrasions, broken bones or insect bites. Nurses must monitor wounds for infection or delayed healing, which may require additional care.
Surgical Preparation
When a soldier is severely wounded in a war zone, he may be transported to a care facility equipped with more advanced medical instruments for surgeries. Though a military doctor usually performs the surgeries, nurses are responsible for preparing the soldiers. A common soldier surgery is debridement, where shrapnel, foreign material or dead or infected tissue is cut and removed. Nurses must adequately prep and clean the wounded area and assess the degree of damage.
Rehabilitation Services
Military nurses are an integral provider of rehabilitation services for recovering soldiers. Many soldiers suffering severe limb impairment or amputation require assistance with relearning how to perform daily tasks like walking or lifting. Military nurses frequently serve in rehabilitation hospitals and assist soldiers in strengthening muscles and balance to regain their mobility. Nurses also provide emotional rehabilitation support. Nurses often see patients on a daily basis and develop relationships with recovering servicemen and women. Many soldiers struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety or general uncertainty about returning to civilian life or military life. Nurses provide guidance to soldiers struggling with these adjustments.
Immunizations
Many war operations require soldiers to report to exotic locations that harbor potentially deadly diseases or infections. Nurses are responsible for preparing and administering the immunizations necessary to protect soldiers from infection or disease. Nurses are also responsible for monitoring soldiers following an immunization to treat possible allergic or negative reactions.
Reference
Paddy Rossbach (2005) Military In-step: The Role of the Military Nurse.
