Wounded warrior transitional nursing

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Hi there,

I've used the search function and haven't been able to find the answer to my questions. I am a former Army wife (the husband is currently a contractor). I don't want to join the military myself, but do want to give back. I'm currently in the middle of my ADN program and realize I know nothing. I'm wondering how to end up a civilian RN working with our wounded as they transition from the battlefield to recovery. Has anyone gone this route? How did you get there?

Thanks so much for your time! I'm sorry if I repeated a topic!

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Also under the same topic - my instructor has stated that if I can give her the name of a local facility that caters to our wounded warriors she is willing to look into what it would take to set up a contract to do my preceptorship there. Being relatively new to Alabama, and only aware of the two major hospitals we were stationed near (DC and WA) I'm at a loss of where to find that information. It doesn't look like there's a military hospital anywhere near me, so that is probably out, but my initial questions still stand. Again, any information at all would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

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That's a very long road your wishing to take part in. Are you refering to acute care or rehabilitiation nursing in a hospital/ecf or as a nurse case manager assigned to a wounded warrior transition unit?

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That's a very long road your wishing to take part in. Are you refering to acute care or rehabilitiation nursing in a hospital/ecf or as a nurse case manager assigned to a wounded warrior transition unit?

Thank you for responding!

Right now, I'm looking at either acute care or rehabilitation. I realize that sometimes people aren't suited for what they thought they were going to go into, and I know that I don't have enough working knowledge to know without a doubt where I want to be. What I do know is I was lucky enough to get my husband back physically unharmed, time after time, and we watched as people we love were not so lucky. This is a population I feel passionate about working with, I just don't know how to get there, or if it is even possible as a civilian.

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The VA would be the largest organization for what you're looking for. MTFs obviously deal with this as well, but if you are not near a base, especially one with a large hospital, that probably isn't an option. PP mentioned warrior transition units, and they have various roles for RNs, case managers, mental health RNs and visiting nurses. Navy Marine Corps Relief Society also has visiting nurses, as seen here: Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society - Employment Opportunities. Are you near a VA hospital? It would be a good place to start, as I know that many VAs hire new grads, as quite a few have internship programs for nursing students.

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