Transitions Are Hard: A Look at Military Nurses and Their Volunteer Support Organization

Veterans report the need to be connected and productive after military service (Sayer et al., 2011). When these needs are unmet there is a feeling of isolation and loneliness (lack of belonging). Russell & Russell (2018) found that identity and belief that military service was beneficial to society were contributing factors to Veteran’s well-being and that Veteran Service Organization (VSO) involvement reduced social isolation and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Elnitsky et al. (2017) adapted ecological model captures reintegration risk factors at the individual, Interpersonal, community, and societal levels. The aims of this study were to 1) analyze the 2023 Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) member survey; 2) Use findings to inform follow-on semi-structured interviews to design support interventions. An inductive paradigm with a content analysis method using coding was used to identify themes in the respondents open ended answers. Respondents (n = 278) were mostly current members (73%), female (78%) and (77%). Four of the five core pillars (history, education and scholarship, research and evidence-based practice, and leadership) were very important while outreach-Ambassador program was rated as important. Keeping members informed, connected, and keeping the history was going well. Things currently missing, needed additions to current support: Establish Partnerships, punch up Social and Career Networking opportunities, Provide After Service Support. The next phase is to design a study to test the Veteran Sponsorship Initiative for after service support in this population.