Providing Compassionate Healthcare to Military Personnel

Two systems—healthcare and the military—depend on the same fundamentals: precision, adaptability, and sacrifice. Lawrence Technological University’s College of Health Sciences is pursuing military partnerships to develop additional nursing pathways into the military.

Local universities have LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) programs for service members. The college hopes to launch an RN (Registered Nurse) program supported by the GI Bill for service members. The partnership will provide nursing students with specialized training in veteran care, hands-on military clinical experience, and career connections—while also advancing veteran-focused research and community outreach. It will reinforce the importance of compassionate care in nursing, as students learn to address the physical and emotional needs of those who have served in the military and cultivate leadership, adaptability, and cultural competence in diverse healthcare settings.

“Our Relationship-Based Care model trains students from day one to care and effectively communicate with all patients. This approach is integrated throughout the program to ensure graduates provide exceptional, patient-centered care at every nursing level,” said Jacqueline Moody, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, and an assistant professor of nursing. Moody was a major in the military and specialized in emergency nursing. Her ER experience encompassed treating local residents, civilians, detainees, and service members with injuries ranging from minor to critical. “Healthcare delivery [in the military] was a team effort. We worked to the fullest scope and cared for all those in need. We trained for all experiences and communicated clearly,” added Margaret Glembocki, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, CSC, SANE-A, FAANP, and Co-Director of nursing and associate professor. Glembocki was a critical care nurse and a captain in the army reserves and was inspired to serve in the military after 9/11.

Compassionate healthcare is at the core of nursing; it emphasizes empathy, understanding, and holistic care, which are essential in building trust with patients. Military and healthcare systems are fundamentally interconnected, with entire hospitals being set up on bases with medical teams deployed alongside combat units. Military service instills values of teamwork, resilience, and a commitment to duty, fostering a strong sense of responsibility to care for others in both combat and civilian life. Similarly, healthcare providers deliver high-quality care in both critical and everyday settings, emphasizing preventative measures and prompt treatment. “The military taught me to be a compassionate leader. To prepare yourself and those you serve with grace, love, and understanding, as we have all experienced different situations in life,” Glembocki said. “My experience deepened my compassion. These soldiers—some just 18 or 19—volunteer to risk their lives for our freedom. I’m moved by their sacrifice, and it has inspired me to truly give my all as a nurse. There is a different level of compassion in caring for those who defend our democracy, freedom, and liberty,” Moody added. Moody was inspired to serve in the military after her father’s service in the Korean War and her brother’s after the Vietnam War. She became a military nurse in 2006 after gaining clinical experience, knowing the role required advanced skills to treat critically injured patients.

“The military taught me to be a compassionate leader. To prepare yourself and those you serve with grace, love, and understanding, as we have all experienced different situations in life.”

– Margaret Glembocki

The potential partnership will advance the practice of nursing, as there is a growing need for nurses in the military to take care of those who are severely injured and provide therapeutic communication. “Military nursing has often been an afterthought—something considered after graduation. With the proposed program, LTU nursing students will be specifically trained for military nursing from the start. It’s an exciting shift, and we’re proud to help pave the way,” Moody added. Mary C. Schutten, Ph.D. and founding dean of the college, said, “Such partnerships enrich educational experiences, improve healthcare delivery, and contribute positively to the well-being of military personnel and veterans.”

The partnership is in the beginning stages and would allow LTU nursing students to bring their Relationship-Based Care model into the military. Students can gain veteran clinical experience in medical-surgical, fundamentals, immersions, and community placements at VA hospitals in Detroit or Ann Arbor.

As the dean, Schutten hopes to create a robust pipeline of compassionate healthcare professionals equipped to serve the unique needs of the military community and expand the compassionate care model. For nursing students and nurses, serving in the military is a rewarding opportunity to extend their healthcare expertise and ensure soldiers receive skilled, compassionate care when needed. The partnership will “elevate the college’s profile, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and provide students with invaluable real-world experience in diverse healthcare settings. The partnership will enhance LTU’s reputation as a leader in innovative healthcare education and strengthen community ties with the military,” said Schutten.

When treating service individuals, one is not just healing wounds but honoring their commitment to protecting our nation. The partnership will aim to enhance the training of nursing students while addressing the specific healthcare needs of military personnel and veterans.