Nurses During Deployment to Croatia: A Grounded Theory

Purpose of the Study - The purpose of this study is to identify, describe and provide a theoretical analysis of nursing preparation and practice in a MOOTW deployment. The long term objective of this study will provide a theoretical model to be used for nurses deploying in support of Military Operations Other Than War.

Specific Aims - The specific aims of the project are: 1) Obtain descriptions of nurses' experience in caring for patients during a short tour mobility deployment to Croatia, 2) Analyze and present these descriptions using the constant comparative method, 3) Identify nurses' perceived priority needs and concerns both prior to and during deployment to Croatia, 4) Develop a substantive theory for deployment to Croatia.

Methods - Grounded theory methodology facilitates the formulation of a substantive theory despite the lack of current information in the literature. In grounded theory, the researcher collects data, organizes and analyzes the data all at the same time. The results constitute a theoretical formulation of the reality under investigation.

Data Collection - Interviews will be conducted on a group of nurses deployed to Croatia over the last two years. The initial thirteen interviews will establish categories from which the beginnings of theory emerge. Further data collection will occur via theoretical sampling, with members of the Air Force, Army and Navy who have been deployed to the same mobility hospital in Croatia. Subjects will be sought who lend diversity to the data. The data collection will be complete when no new information is being recounted by the subjects.

Data Analysis - Data will be analyzed using the four steps of the constant comparative method. As categories emerge or new information which fits existing categories becomes apparent, the theoretical properties of the category will be illuminated. Each interview will be transcribed after completion and the principal investigator will listen to the taped interview and review the transcription prior to the next interview. With each subsequent interview, information will be placed in categories according to theme by the principal investigator. A theoretical diagram will emerge at the end of the study.