Hard labor: the personal experiences of two obstetric nurses in Balad, Iraq.
This article describes the experiences of two obstetric nurses as they deployed to the war zone in Iraq. Each discusses her role as a medical-surgical nurse and an emergency room nurse, respectively, and how she dealt with learning to practice in these areas. Each nurse came away from the experience with newfound confidence in her abilities and an appreciation for flexibility in practice. They also describe the challenges of deployment and being away from family, and how they coped with their feelings associated with nursing in a war zone and caring for injured service members and the indigenous population.
Perinatal Unit, Elmendorf Air Force Base Hospital, 5955 Zeamer Avenue/EAFB, Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK 99506, USA. katrina.poole@elmendorf.af.mil
Katrina
K
Poole
Angela
A
Lacek
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008888:Military Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D011231:Preceptorship; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014481:United States