HYBRID EVENT: You can participate in person at Baltimore, Maryland, USA or Virtually from your home or work.

8th Edition of Nursing World Conference

October 17-19, 2024 | Baltimore, USA

October 17 -19, 2024 | Baltimore, USA
NWC 2019

Assessing Staff Knowledge of Veterans Administration LGBT Healthcare Guidelines: A Local Cultural Competency Assessment

Speaker at Nursing Conference - Dennis Hargis
Valencia College, United States
Title : Assessing Staff Knowledge of Veterans Administration LGBT Healthcare Guidelines: A Local Cultural Competency Assessment

Abstract:

Background:  Social and political progress has been witnessed for persons identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).  Honorably discharged veterans who identify as LGBT are entitled to healthcare services through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and guidelines (directives) have been developed by the VHA to guide healthcare professionals in delivery of care to LGBT veterans.


Objectives:  The purpose of this project was to 1) evaluate the current level of LGBT cultural competence among nursing staff assigned to the Orlando VA Medical Center’s Surgical Services department; and 2) improve LGBT cultural competence of staff members who provide nursing care to LGBT veterans. 

Methods:  A 20-question LGBT cultural competency assessment was developed using information contained in a training presentation from the Veterans Health Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) and LGBT healthcare delivery guidelines contained in VHA Directive 2017-003, Providing Health care for Transgender and Intersex Veterans.  Pre- and post-training test scores were evaluated among the following participant demographics (N = 23):  gender, education, ethnic or racial identification, age, and veteran versus non-veteran status.  The majority of participants were female (60.9%), registered nurses (69.6%), and 40 years of age or older (82.6%).  The majority of participants held bachelor degrees or higher (65.2%); veteran status, 52.2% veteran versus 47.8% non-veteran, was statistically insignificant. 


Results:  Paired sample t-tests demonstrated increased post-test versus pre-test scores among all participant demographics.  Paired samples correlation values demonstrated statistical significance among three participant demographics: female gender, those with a college degree, and veteran status.  ANOVA analysis of scores between gender, occupation, and veteran status were statistically insignificant.  While ANOVA analysis demonstrated no statistical significance among participants, paired samples t-tests analysis of pre- versus post-test scores demonstrated the need for LGBT cultural competence training at the Orlando VA Medical Center.

Biography:

Dennis Hargis, DNP, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, currently resides in Orlando, Florida.  Dr. Hargis holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marymount University; a Master of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University; and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University.  Perioperative nursing and nursing administration are his areas of clinical expertise; LGBTQ and Veterans’ healthcare disparities and cultural competence are his research interests.  He is a member of the following professional organizations: American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Executives, American Association of Men in Nursing, Association of periOperative Nurses, National League for Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

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