Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continues to affect a significant number of veterans, creating ripples across family systems and complicating post-deployment reintegration. Symptoms such as hyperarousal, avoidance, and intrusive memories can strain marriages, disrupt parenting, and compromise occupational stability. This presentation highlights how forensic nurses are uniquely positioned to address these challenges through trauma-informed, family-centered interventions that reduce stigma, support resilience, and promote long-term well-being.

Attendees will gain insight into evidence-based strategies that integrate psychosocial, medical, and forensic perspectives to support veterans and their families. Practical tools, case examples, and nursing interventions will be shared to guide assessment, education, suicide prevention, and coordinated care. This session is designed for healthcare professionals seeking to expand their knowledge, strengthen interdisciplinary practice, and enhance their role as advocates and change agents in improving outcomes for veterans and their loved ones.

OBJECTIVES

• Learn to recognize the multidimensional impact of PTSD on veterans, spouses, partners, and children—and identify evidence-based, trauma-informed strategies that foster resilience and family stability.
• Explore real-world case studies that illustrate the challenges of reintegration, including marital discord, parent–child communication breakdowns, and suicidality, while learning practical nursing interventions to support recovery.
• Strengthen your role as a forensic or mental-health nurse by applying family-centered care models, enhancing interprofessional collaboration, and promoting long-term well-being during the veteran’s transition home.

PRESENTERS 

	Dr. Leroy Marklund, PhD, RN, serves as Clinical Associate Professor at Texas A&M University School of Nursing, and as Assistant Dean for the McCallen Campus. With extensive expertise in psychiatric-mental health and forensic nursing, his work focuses on trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the complex reintegration challenges faced by veterans and their families. Dr. Marklund’s scholarship emphasizes trauma-informed, family-centered care that strengthens resilience and well-being among military service members, spouses, partners, and children. He is an experienced clinician, educator, and researcher dedicated to advancing nursing practice through evidence-based interventions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and compassionate care for populations affected by trauma and mental health challenges.
	Dr. Glenn Barnes, DNP, RN, EMT-P, NHDP-BC, FAWM, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Texas A&M College of Nursing. With a doctorate in nursing practice and advanced credentials in disaster preparedness and wilderness medicine, Barnes brings a unique focus on care in high-acuity, resource-limited, and transitional environments. His expertise complements the Coming Home presentation by highlighting the importance of nursing readiness in addressing complex reintegration challenges for veterans, including trauma-informed approaches to family systems, mental health, and resilience in times of crisis.
	Dr. Paul Thomas Clements, PhD, RN, ANEF, CGS, DF-IAFN, DF-AFN, FAAN, is a Clinical Professor and Coordinator of the DNP-Leadership program at Texas A&M College of Nursing. A nationally recognized expert in forensic nursing, traumatic response, workplace violence reduction, and correctional mental health, Clements’ scholarship focuses on the psychosocial impact of trauma across populations. His expertise aligns closely with the Coming Home presentation, underscoring the importance of trauma-informed, evidence-based nursing interventions for veterans with PTSD and their families, as well as the systemic and intergenerational implications of post-deployment reintegration.

Enduring Modules - This module originated on 2/25/2026 and will remain available for CE credit through 03/30/2028

Criteria for Successful Completion:

Live attendees must join the zoom link via the LMS site, be logged in for a minimum of 90% of the session, and successfully complete the attestation and evaluation. Upon completion, a CE certificate for 1.25 contact hours will be awarded. 

Recordings of the live session will be made available within one week of the live date. 

Asynchronous attendees must utilize the LMS to obtain resource information (if available), view 100% of recording(s), complete all modules, and successfully complete the attestation and evaluation. Upon completion, a CE certificate for 1.25 contact hours will be awarded.

No relevant financial relationships exist for any individuals in a position to control content of this educational activity.

NOTE:

The Academy of Forensic Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.