What does ACHN mean in MILITARY

Army Community Health Nursing (ACHN) is a branch of the United States Army Medical Department which provides evidence-based health services to military personnel, family members and veterans. ACHN nurses are experts in preventive care, disease management and lifestyle modification. They also provide mental health counseling for such issues as managing stress, parenting issues, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counseling and substance abuse.

ACHN nurses provide comprehensive healthcare services including health assessments and screenings, immunizations, nutrition education and referrals to specialized programs or providers. They also serve as patient advocates by providing guidance and support to help individuals navigate through the complicated healthcare system.

To practice as an ACHN Nurse you must have an unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state in which you practice; current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; at least one year of experience either on active duty or in civilian nursing practice; and successfully complete accredited Advanced Practice programs for Primary Care Specialties or Mental/Behavioral Health.

ACHN Nurses may work with active duty service members and their families, retirees who are eligible for TRICARE benefits as well as combat veterans who may need post-deployment medical services after returning from overseas deployments. In addition, they may also work with those seeking specialized mental health counseling to manage emotional difficulties such as PTSD or substance abuse.

An ACHN nurse helps active duty service members remain healthy so they can perform their duties effectively by providing preventive health care such as immunizations; administering regular health assessments; screening for problems such as diabetes or hypertension; making appropriate referrals to specialty providers when necessary; educating them on lifestyle modifications that could improve their overall quality of life; offering mental health counseling when needed such as for PTSD or addiction issues; and providing any other nursing care required according to military guidelines.

An ACHN nurse does not typically provide emergency medical care but instead offers support in navigating through the unique healthcare needs of those affected by deployment-related incidents or illnesses while on active duty status.

An ACHN nurse typically does not diagnose or treat acute medical conditions due to the complexity of these cases but will offer advice on how to access appropriate specialist services when necessary. The nurse may also provide additional educational materials regarding self-care strategies which may be beneficial in treating certain conditions before a physician becomes involved.

Visits depend upon your particular situation but generally speaking it is recommend that individuals make appointments every year for preventive checkups although more frequent visits may be recommended depending on certain factors such as age, gender, family history or other risk factors which put you at increased risk for certain diseases. It is best to speak with your provider about what would be most appropriate for you and your family's individual needs.

Yes, many base hospitals have specialty clinics available including primary care clinics focusing on general wellness exams and vaccinations, sports medicine clinics focusing on injury prevention/rehabilitation/conditioning advice related to physical activity participation, optometry clinics addressing vision concerns/corrective lenses/low vision rehabilitation services, dermatology clinics specializing in skin cancer detection/treatment/prevention assessment etc...

Yes, depending upon availability of medications at the time of your appointment prescriptions can be filled either right away at the pharmacy located within your base hospital OR referred offsite if supplies are limited or nonexistent at the time of visit.

Absolutely! All personnel information provided during any visit with an individual provider assigned at a United States army hospital remains strictly confidential under HIPAA provisions outlined by government regulations.