Holloman highlights nursing services for National Nurses Week 2007

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The 49th Medical Group will highlight its nursing services staff for National Nurses Week 2007 May 6 through 12. 

The ability America's registered nurses to save lives and maintain the health of millions of individuals is the focus of this year's National Nurses Week. 

"Nurses: Strength, Commitment, Compassion," the theme for 2007, starts on National Nurses Day and ends on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, according to the American Nurses Association Web site, www.nursingworld.org. 

"In the Air Force, the nursing staff consists of more than the registered nurse," said Lt. Col. Juliette Robinson, 49 MDG chief nurse. The 'nursing services' staff consists of licensed practical nurses, emergency medical technicians, qualified aerospace medicine technicians and medical assistant personnel. The nursing services staff at Holloman includes active duty, civilian and contract personnel. We all come together and work as a group to complete our mission. 

The nursing service staff sees patients in a number of different areas around the clinic, said Colonel Robinson. They work in areas from pediatrics to family practice to immunizations and flight medicine, checking patients in, verifying data, assisting providers and administering shots and medication. 

Along with their daily routines, the staff also must train for deployments. 

"We make sure people on the front lines are healthy to do their job," said Senior Master Sgt. Dwayne Atkinson, 49th Medical Operations Squadron. 

Colonel Robinson believes National Nurses Week is a time to say thank you to the people who do the job everyday. 

"In honor of the dedication, commitment, and tireless effort of Air Force Nursing Services staff to promote and maintain the health of Airmen around the world, I am proud to recognize nursing staff everywhere during National Nurses Week for the quality work they provide seven-days-a-week, 365 days-a-ear," she said.