US Military Nurses: Experience of Coming Home after Iraq and Afghanistan

Abstract

Abstract : The specific aims were to (1) explore lived experiences of military nurses coming home from a combat deployment to Iraq and/or Afghanistan, (2) examine the potential impact the reintegration experience may have had on their lives, and (3) review the content of the transcripts for similarities and differences among the military nurse branches. Design: Existential phenomenology and purposive sampling were employed to answer the research questions. Methods: Face-to-face, digitally recorded interviews were conducted and an approved consent script was utilized. The interviews began with the broad question, What stands out for you when you think about your experience of reintegration and coming home from deployment? Sample: 22 U.S. Army nurses, 4 Air Force nurses, and 1 Navy nurse were recruited from three military sites, C.R. Darnall Army Medical Center (CRDAMC), Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC). Analysis: The interviews were transcribed and de-identified. Five themes were identified, and similarities and differences between the Army, Air Force, and Navy nurses reintegration and homecoming experiences were noted. Findings: Five themes emerged from the initial interviews with U.S. Army nurses: 1) Command Support, 2) reintegration briefings as Check the Blocks, 3) Stress of Being Home, 4) They Don t Understand if they haven t deployed and 5) It Just Changes You. The outcomes of this study support the previous findings pertaining to the difficulties of reintegration and homecoming as expressed by combat warriors. Implications for Military Nursing: This study relates to military nurses who recently served during deployments as combat support personnel and have now returned home. Reintegration and homecoming concerns are noted as a priority by the Military Nurse Corps Chiefs.