OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Nebraska -- To celebrate Nurses and Medical Technicians Week 2016, spend a little time checking the pulse of those who have pledged to check yours.
The nurses and medical technicians of the Fighting Fifty-Fifth, Ehrling Bergquist Clinic encourage you to learn a bit more about the advancement of their craft during the annual observance of National Nurses Week, May 9 - 12.
According to American Nurses Association, this year’s observance theme is “Culture of Safety-Starts with You.” The annual observance dates back to 1954, when “National Nurse Week” marked the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s, founder of professional nursing, mission to Crimea, but it wasn’t officially recognized by the United States until President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation 20 years later.
In 1993, the American Nurses Association Board of Directors declared May 6 - 12 as permanent dates to observe National Nurses Week, as a commemoration to Nightingale whose birthday is May 12.
Today, the Air Force Medical Service, adapted the 'total nursing force' concept that incorporates the Nurse Corps and Aerospace Medical Technician career fields as one team in providing world-class patient care. Total nursing team also includes our civilian Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses.
Air Force Col. Lester Loreto, Chief Nurse for the 55th Medical Group, and Senior Master Sgt. Todd Rankin, Functional Manager for the medical technicians, with the help of volunteer team, kicked off the celebration on Monday, May 9, with grab-and-go breakfast and will conclude Thursday, May 12 with an appreciation luncheon for 'total nursing force' staff. The team will also conduct daily trivia games with prizes throughout the week’s observance.
“[Registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, licensed practical nurses, and medical technicians] are highly skilled professionals who possess critical-thinking, problem-solving and care-coordination skills that ensure effective and safe care,” Loreto said.
The nursing specialties consist of Family Health, Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Ambulance Services, Immunizations, Internal Medicine, Flight Operations Medicine, Personnel Reliability Program, Outpatient Procedures, Orthopedics, Referral Management, Case Management, Disease Management, Utilization Management, Health Care Integration, Quality Manager, Education and Training, New parent Support Program, and Nurse Practitioners with specialties in Family Health, Pediatrics, and Mental Health.
“[Enlisted medical technicians] enable the Air Force Mission,” Rankin said. “Without healthy pilots or maintenance personnel, we would not be able to keep the planes in the air.”
“Your first and last interaction when it comes to your medical care is most likely with a medic. Your visit starts with the gathering of medical history, other appointment-related information, and assessment of your vital signs prior to seeing the provider,” he added.
The diversity of nurses and technicians at the 55 MDG comprised of active duty members, DOD civilian and contractors, totaling to 128 members.
"All enlisted medics are required to be Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technicians,” he said. “This allows us to not only work in multiple clinics IAW our CFETP but increases our capabilities to respond to 9-1-1 calls and be ready to go into combat operations whenever and where ever we are needed.”
The total nursing force at the 55 MDG work together as one team in delivering patient-centered medical care with focus on quality healthcare and patient safety. The culture of patient safety truly starts with them.