Article in May Nursing 2005 about nurses in Iraq.

[Judee Smudee, ADN, RN]

It is actually quite good. However, something really suprised me. Here is a direct quote, "Specialist ********* has conflicting responsiblities. A nurse in the detainee ward, he also sometimes works as a machine gunner who protects people and supplies as they move outside our gates. In his role as a machine gunner, he is prepared to shoot at the very people he may wind up caring for the next day." I was quite startled by this and as a nurse would never sign up knowing I would be expected to operate a machine gun as a matter of course. However, I do not doubt that there could be an instance where I could be required to fight or die. This apparently is a regular assignment not an extreme or unusual situation. Anyone out there have thoughts about this? There are several other instances of ethical conflicts discussed in the article but I feel I could make my way though them. Only this one made me uncomfortable.

[911fltrn]

SOmething here is not right. Nurses in the Military are officers. I dont see a nurse being sent out as a machine gunner in a supply convoy. Maybe this specialist (enlisted personnel) is a medic, or cna or such. I highly doubt they are a Registered nurse. Just my 2 cents

Former United States Marine Desert Storm Veteran :)

[Judee Smudee, ADN, RN]

That was my first thought that this person was not a nurse but a medic. This article is in a Nursing Magazine and it would be inexcusable for them to describe a medic or nurse aid as a nurse but that is what I suspect happened. Is there a chance I wonder that this person is an LPN? The person is described as a Specialist. I would have an objection to a LPN being asked to routinely operated a machine gun just as much as I would a RN. I am going to write them and ask them what is going on here. God bless you 911fltrn.

[SmilingBluEyes]

The "specialist" referred to may be a medic or an LPN or even ADN RN. Hard to say, I never saw the article.