Waynesburg nursing dean meets first lady
Dr. Nancy Mosser, professor of nursing and chairwoman and director of the Department of Nursing at Waynesburg University, was one of 20 nursing deans nationwide invited to attend a recent meeting with first lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden.
The meeting announced a commitment from nurses across the country eager to serve veterans and military families as well as they have served their country. In a broad, coordinated effort, more than 150 state and national nursing organizations and more than 500 nursing schools, including Waynesburg University, have committed to further educate the nation’s 3 million nurses so they are prepared to meet the unique health needs of service members, veterans and their families.
Led by the American Nurses Association, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National League for Nursing, in coordination with the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, nursing organizations and schools, have committed to educating current and future nurses on how to recognize and care for veterans impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, depression and other combat-related issues, in ways appropriate to each nurse’s practice setting.
“Waynesburg University has been and continues to be committed to the care of our veterans and their families by educating our students with the most up-to-date information to ensure the highest quality care,” Mosser said. “Waynesburg’s Department of Nursing is devoted to educating students using best practices related to caring for all patients, but our curriculum is strategically planned to address unique and challenging situations as well.”
The invisible wounds of war, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), have impacted approximately one in six of our troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq — more than 300,000 veterans, officials report. And since 2000, more than 44,000 of those troops have suffered at least a moderate-grade traumatic brain injury.
“Whether we’re in a hospital, a doctor’s office or a community health center, nurses are often the first people we see when we walk through the door. Because of their expertise, they are trusted to be the frontline of America’s health-care system,” said Michelle Obama. “That’s why Jill and I knew we could turn to America’s nurses and nursing students to help our veterans and military families get the world-class care that they’ve earned. It’s clear from today’s announcement that the nursing community is well on its way to serving our men and women in uniform and their families.”
Biden said the reach of nurses in communities across the country is important because veterans don’t always seek care through the VA system.
“This commitment is essential to ensuring our returning service men and women receive the care they deserve,” said Biden.