Surviving the storm: The experience of Desert Storm nurses

Abstract

Military nurses are often faced with uncertainty in their careers. The potential for deployment raises several concerns: family security, personal safety, and appropriate training to meet the requirements of deployment. Effectively managing these concerns necessitates coping skills and a supportive environment. Using grounded theory, three Air Force nurses were interviewed about their experience of deployment in support of Desert Shield/Storm. From these interviews, a theory emerged of Camaraderie, Patriotism, and Personal Growth as defining the experience. Camaraderie had three dimensions: Physical, Emotional, and Psychological. Despite the stressors encountered throughout the period of time deployed, the experience was described as an overall positive event. This study was an initial attempt to define the experience of deployment. Nurses facing future deployments could use this theory to design supportive processes to ensure a positive experience.