Space Nursing

Hello all:

I was curious, anyone here interested in the Universe? Humans have longed for the chance to go to space, build space hotels, live on the moon, mars, and other planets, but also to travel in space. All that stuff fascinates me. And it was really cool when I discovered there's a lot of people out there who like space and nursing.

There's fields that are similar like space medicine, aerospace medicine, flight surgeons & nurses also work for companies like NASA on how to care for the astronauts. But I feel like in the not so distant future, space tourism will be a huge part of our life--with people all over the world buying tickets into low earth orbit. And not to mention the space flights to Mars that will surely be taking place if we are to ever visit the planet.

This is all pretty far-out, I know. But I can't help but wonder how this will impact nursing. To me, it's a new frontier in nursing. Space Nursing. Nursing that caters to the environment of space and how space effects our bodies.

Anyone else curious about it? I hope to be able to be involved with some research opportunities down the road. Just wondering if there are any fellow space enthusiasts out there but are also interested in healthcare.

-MRE
So much has changed in the past 120 years, much more than what changed in the 120 years prior, that I don't think your ideas are so far out there. Who knows what holds in store for human advancement in the next 120 years. Whoever is a part of it is certainly a risk-taker, though, because we don't have a deep understanding of the physiological effects of space travel.
This question was asked in 1963. Did you happen to notice the answer?
Quote from ArtClassRNThis question was asked in 1963. Did you happen to notice the answer?
We actually have a "decent" understanding of the physiological effects of space travel, just short term mainly. The general bone and muscle atrophy, radiation, motion sickness, fluid redistribution...and so on. We know that some are mainly temporary and can be reversed once back on Earth, except maybe not the heavy doses of radiation. But like I said, I feel like it's the beginning of a new frontier in nursing and healthcare. And with and frontier, you are obviously on the forefront of making discoveries. That's why, as a nurse, I'd love to get involved in research into this field. Not really sure you can technically call it an actual field, per se, but with already existing fields such as space medicine, bioastronautics, and astronautical hygiene, I think it'd be pretty cool to have a Space Nursing field! Advanced Practice nurses who have not only experience of caring for Earthbound patients but also experience in how the universe works. All while applying that knowledge to the effects of space travel on humans. So maybe "astronurse" or simply, "space nurse".
Quote from dudette10What was the answer? I'm sincerely curious.
Back in the 60's and early 70's we were actively going to the moon and had a HUGE presence in space, so it doesn't surprise me that this question was asked back then.
Quote from Michael_EspelinThat's why, as a nurse, I'd love to get involved in research into this field. Not really sure you can technically call it an actual field, per se, but with already existing fields such as space medicine, bioastronautics, and astronautical hygiene, I think it'd be pretty cool to have a Space Nursing field!
I mean, there are a few associations and organizations that recognize "space nursing" and some closely relate it to flight/aerospace nursing. There's the Space Nursing Society and also the Aerospace Medical Association that has a Space Nursing group, so it's still out there.... While you may be right that there's currently not many opportunities, keep in mind our space program is in a bit of a dry spell right now. So perhaps if things ever heat up with going to Mars, back to the moon, going to other planets, and terraforming other planets, we will definitely need more than just a handful of doctors and nurses that know how to care for people in space, and deal with medical problems. Just a thought for now. But my two interests of space and healthcare are huge and I hope to make a connection with the two down the road.
The only problem with your premise is that Obama killed the space program.
Quote from Caribbean CharacterThe only problem with your premise is that Obama killed the space program.
Quote from Michael_EspelinActually I highly disagree with that. He didn't. Bush did. Bush ended the space shuttle program. There's no policy like that that would take effect so quick. That is politics my friend. There is always lag time. So in other words, decisions that Bush's administration made are taking effect while Obama is in office. And Obama's decisions most likely won't generate until the late 2010's and into the 2020's. But that's a whole different story....
Obama killed your dream. Sorry