Army Medicine Experience 2012

When the American Psychiatric Nurses Association asked me to represent them for the Army Medicine Experience Tour (AME12), I was both honored and thrilled. There have been three distinct times in my life when I considered joining the military. Once in high school when West Point invited me for a visit, second for ROTC during pre-med undergrad, and third for active duty Air Force after working as a PMH RN.  The options for learning were intriguing and the benefits tempting, however military service was not right for me at those times and I chose different paths. While I like who I am and where I am in life, I must admit this trip carried the"what if" factor for me.  The following reflections are just a few nurse-empowering highlights from AME12, an educational and rewarding experience not just from my perspective as a health provider, but as an American.

"Not everyone is meant to be a soldier" - Major General David L. Mann
The purpose of this trip was made clear early on - "Learn about your Army. . . get the word out so you are armed with the facts . . . this is not Mash 4007." We were recruited not to raise our own right hand, but to inform our spheres of influence about the benefits of working as a member of the Army healthcare team. Beyond the frequently advertised scholarships and loan repayment that come with service, Army healthcare providers described the deep sense of personal satisfaction and unique opportunities for professional development. While all providers may serve the public, those that serve soldiers exhibit an extra layer of pride and honor not replicated in the civilian world.

"We owe them the quality of medicine consummate with their service." - Herbert A. Coley

"We want people who are devoted to duty and high ideals" - Major General Robert J. Kasulke
Contrary to the idea that the Army will take anyone, only the most qualified providers and future providers are being recruited to care for our soldiers. There are over 9,000 health care providers serving in the Army, and the level of qualification is at a two year high. Competition for the Health Professions Scholarship Program is stiff and only the best are chosen to serve.


"We take care of America's sons and daughters." - Major General Jimmie O. Keenan
Rather than advancing her career as a Piggly Wiggly checker out of high school, Major General Keenan was one of the 1% of US citizens who raised her right hand. On choosing and chose to pursue a career in Army nursing, "it's about knowing what options are out there. I figured I would stay in as long as it was interesting. Its now 26 years later and I still bleed green" This 2-star general is chief of the Army Nurse Corp and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Public Health Command.  She presented all of us with her official coin during the farewell dinner which she assured us was not just so she could call out for it when in need of a free cocktail. She is one of the few people I have met who can say that they have it all.  A truly inspiring, authentic spirit!

"We rehab you for reality" - Brooke Army Medical Center

The nurse manager of the burn unit took us on a tour of the newly opened wing, and I re-learned a number of facts about vital signs, environmental protocols, caloric needs, and risk statistics. Nurses undergo a 6 month 1:1 preceptorship on the 40-bed unit (16 ICU/24 Step-Down) and are not considered experts for at least 2 years. The therapeutic alliances are much more personal than in other specialties, and professional boundary norms do not always apply. Due to the highly specialized nature of burns, many of the healthcare staff have been at this one post for a decade or more.  Stem cell skin regeneration is just one of the innovative therapies they are using to increase survival rate and functionality for burn victims.

"We have 3 missions: Patient care, training, and research. Not necessarily all in this building." - Center for the Intrepid
This facility has treated over 725 wounded warriors in the past five years using a number of high-tech modalities including Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis (IDEO), FireArms Training Simulator (FATS), a made-from-scratch gait lab, and the largest Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) in the world.


"It's unfortunate it took 9 years of war to get here, but it is exceptional what they have done." - Specialist Christopher Powell
Our guest speaker from the Wounded Warrior project lost his legs to an IED while working as a medic in the field. This hero spoke to us the day before he was to get his first set of computerized knees. As a Psych nurse, I was particularly impressed that he engages in proactive, preventative counseling -  "I don't have PTSD or  TBI, but that doesn't mean I won't." Best of success in PA school!

"It's kind of dangerous, but don't worry about that. Look good, have fun, and safety third." - Golden Knights
Major lesson: DO NOT WISH AWAY EXPERIENCES! I initially prayed for bad weather and a broken plane. Well, both happened right before it was my group's turn to go up. By karmic reprieve I was able to get on the manifest for the following day and had the experience of a lifetime! Check out the photos and videos for an external look at this incredible opportunity to jump with the Army's professional parachuting team, and my stab at a haiku to poetically describe the indescribable:

Wind rushing. Quiet

Falling. Abruptly floating.

Dream oblivion.