Space Nursing

[Michael_Espelin]

Hello all:

I was curious, anyone here interested in the Universe? Humans have longed for the chance to go to space, build space hotels, live on the moon, mars, and other planets, but also to travel in space. All that stuff fascinates me. And it was really cool when I discovered there's a lot of people out there who like space and nursing.

There's fields that are similar like space medicine, aerospace medicine, flight surgeons & nurses also work for companies like NASA on how to care for the astronauts. But I feel like in the not so distant future, space tourism will be a huge part of our life--with people all over the world buying tickets into low earth orbit. And not to mention the space flights to Mars that will surely be taking place if we are to ever visit the planet.

This is all pretty far-out, I know. But I can't help but wonder how this will impact nursing. To me, it's a new frontier in nursing. Space Nursing. Nursing that caters to the environment of space and how space effects our bodies.

Anyone else curious about it? I hope to be able to be involved with some research opportunities down the road. Just wondering if there are any fellow space enthusiasts out there but are also interested in healthcare.

-MRE

[wanderlust99]

Obama killed your dream. Sorry:(

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

The only problem with your premise is that Obama killed the space program.

Oh no you dinnit!!!!

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

As far as "sci-fi-ish" nursing specialities we might seein the near future..... I think we'll see more along the lines of gene engineering nurse specialists or nano-medicine nurse specialists long before we see any real development of nurses who specialize in the study of nursing care in an outer space environment.

There just don't seem to be very many practical reasons to invest more money in manned space missions. Curiosity isn't reason enough to justify all that money.

[Michael_Espelin, MSN, APRN]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/science/02nasa.html?_r=0

Okay, did you even read that article? Yes, he proposed to cancel going back to the moon, but it was to focus on more important space related endeavors, like new technologies to hang out on an asteroid and go to Mars....

White House To Propose Funding Cut for NASA | NASA & 2013 Budget | Mars, Space Exploration & James Webb Space Telescope | Space.com

NASA's budget is still higher in the past 7 years. In 1995 - 2007 it dropped down pretty low, and was increased by more than 1.2 billion from 2007 to 2008, when Obama took office. Yes, the NASA budget that slashed heavily in 2012 by a billion, but shortly after it increased back up to where it's normally been.

Obama Cuts NASA Funding — The Patriot Post

"On the other hand, Obama’s plan would expand NASA’s role in earth climate observations, apparently in hopes of further propping up the collapsing global warming fraud. In short, the U.S. is left with no vision, no destination, and no inspiration."

I'm sorry, but this article is very delusional and very inaccurate...particularly for what I quoted. But anyway, the cuts were not that drastic, and in the following couple years (2012-13) the budget was increased back up to more than it was in the previous years. Budgets fluctuate. So I don't really see how this is "killing" anything.

Obama stops all US manned space programs by NASA - Topix

Not really sure where the article is or what this is supposed to be. I see just a bunch of comments.

Obama to End NASA Constellation Program | Fox News

Okay, Fox News...really?? But anyway, yeah I know the whole cancellation of Constellation and all. It sucked! We would have all loved to go back to the Moon and vicariously experience all that again. But me? It didn't really phase me. We already went to the Moon. How about we aim higher. Let's go to the planets, and other moons. So that's my take on what Obama was doing there... Sure it sucked, but he was looking more toward the future, specifically Mars.

Obama: Five-year freeze on NASA budget

Okay look, I'm not going to try to convince you that Obama DIDN'T "kill" the space program. No one did really. I think our nation forgot how to dream about tomorrow. And I hope through my "Space Nursing" interest, that can be one conduit to help spark a little interest back into it. But yes, Bush ended the shuttle missions, and if it were up to me I'd double NASA's budget, then we'd be able to go to Mars next month.

How about we end on a positive note and look at this:

http://www.geekosystem.com/nasa-budget-2014-bill-nye/

NASA's budget was increased, albeit slightly, increased nonetheless. Washington's distribution of money is definitely skewed to say the least.

[Michael_Espelin, MSN, APRN]

As far as "sci-fi-ish" nursing specialities we might seein the near future..... I think we'll see more along the lines of gene engineering nurse specialists or nano-medicine nurse specialists long before we see any real development of nurses who specialize in the study of nursing care in an outer space environment.

There just don't seem to be very many practical reasons to invest more money in manned space missions. Curiosity isn't reason enough to justify all that money.

You bring up a great point about other possible fields in nursing that are geared towards science & technology. But I can't help and think that we will need more medical people trained in the effects of space, primarily weightlessness and radiation, on the human body. You mention outer space travel, and I think you mean going to Mars, right? That's closer than you may think. And in my opinion, what better time to be doing the research than before you start going.

I have to disagree about how there's no practical reasons to invest more money in manned space missions. The percentage of money NASA gets is SO SMALL to say such a statement. With the little NASA gets, how could it possible even help? I think, if you need to take the little bit of money away from NASA in order to solve other problems, then that itself is a bigger problem. History has shown that when nations invest in science, and in this case a space program, the nation prospers with innovation and economic wealth.

But anyway, like I said earlier, I like to keep the hope alive. I think it's fascinating dreaming of how healthcare could be incorporated into space, especially looking into manned missions to Mars. That's kinda why I brought this up.

[bloodorange]

This question was asked in 1963. Did you happen to notice the answer?

Darn! I thought this was going to be some sort of Doctor Who reference!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

NASA is not the only possible provider of human expansion into space.

Mars One

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

The thought popped into my head about bedpans in space. It wasn't pleasant.

[Michael_Espelin, MSN, APRN]

NASA is not the only possible provider of human expansion into space.

Mars One

Yes I am aware of private companies like SpaceX and Mars One, but I don't believe they will be the first to be involved with human expansion into space. It's too risky for private companies to take on new projects like that. NASA is the only way in my opinion; they are the only organization capable of getting the funding and willing to flesh out the risks. That's how it's always been in history. The government funds an organization like NASA who takes on a challenging task like going to Mars. When SEVERAL trials have been executed, all the risks well known, THEN and only then can private enterprises take over. Just look at SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, and how long it took them to start. It wasn't until NASA developed the technology and did all the practicing and mastery of sending rockets into space and suborbital flight. I love the idea of private, commercial companies joining in the space race--but for something like Mars, NASA will have to do it first in my opinion.

[amygarside]

I am sure it would take long, long years for a nursing career in space. But I do believe it would exist someday. Who doesn't love watching the earth from the outside?

[Michael_Espelin, MSN, APRN]

I am sure it would take long, long years for a nursing career in space. But I do believe it would exist someday. Who doesn't love watching the earth from the outside?

Yes, very long time indeed. But to me, now would be the best time to start thinking about it--before it becomes a reality. Generating a good research and theoretical background is always a good idea well in advance.

Especially with fields like aerospace nursing, aerospace medicine, even advanced wound care with hyperbaric medicine and oxygen therapy. These all use modern technologies that I believe are the beginnings of a new frontier in not only nursing but in medicine.

It is cool to see others have an interest in these kinds of things. Space is cool. I highly doubt anyone dislikes space.

[ravenpuff, BSN, RN]

Darn! I thought this was going to be some sort of Doctor Who reference!

The oldest question in the Universe.....

Nice avatar, by the way. I can't wait to see Capaldi's Doctor gallivanting across time and space!!!