U.S. Navy Nurse Corps - Official

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U.S. Navy Nurse Corps - Official

The Navy Nurse Corps (NC) is one of the oldest and most versatile corps within Navy medicine. An integral part of the Navy Medicine, the Nurse Corps is comprised of a dynamic and talented team of commissioned Naval Officers.

A Brief History: After years of effort, the bill (35 Stat.146) to establish the Navy Nurse Corps was approved by Congress and became law on May 13, 1908. By October of that same year, the first nurses, later called “The Sacred Twenty,” reported for duty at the Naval Medical School Hospital, Washington, D.C., now the home of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. The present Nurse Corps, a component of the Medical Department, was established as a staff corps of the Navy by the Act of April 16, 1947 (as revised and reenacted 10 U.S.C. 6027). Active duty and reserve Navy nurses continue to advance steadily in military and professional standing. From the original 20, the Nurse Corps expanded to over 11,000 during its peak in World War II. Nurse Corps officers have served worldwide; flying with the wounded from battle-torn areas, working in the fleet on large vessels and hospital ships, establishing native nursing schools, clinics, and small hospitals in remote areas of the world, and practicing, teaching, supervising, administering or commanding Navy medical treatment facilities of all sizes. The Navy Nurse Corps Today Today approximately 3,900 active and reserve Nurse Corps officers serve in the grades of ensign through rear admiral. Nurse Corps officers can function in positions ranging from staff nurse to commanding officer and as primary health care providers such as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives. They serve aboard sea-going vessels, pier side, and on deployments or humanitarian missions. Our Motto Healers of Mind, Body & Spirit Ambassadors of Hope Respected Nursing Professionals and Commissioned Officers

Mission: The primary mission of the Navy Nurse Corps is to provide professional nursing care to, and promote the health of, uniformed service personnel, their dependents, and others as authorized by law. In addition, the Nurse Corps provides instruction and supervision of Hospital Corps personnel in the theory and practice of providing nursing care to patients.

Operating as usual

08/22/2013

CHANGE OF DIRECTOR CEREMONY: REMARKS FROM THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF NAVY NURSE CORPS, REAR ADMIRAL REBECCA MCCORMICK-BOYLE

SG; Rear Admiral Niemyer, Rear Admiral Martin, Flag and General Officers, distinguished guests, family and friends, Navy Nurses, and all Nurses present, it is an honor and a privilege to serve as the Navy Nurse Corps’ Acting Director. Rear Admiral Niemyer, thank you for your mentorship, your support, and your friendship over the years. Thank you mostly, however, for your outstanding leadership as the Nurse Corps’ 23rd Director. In celebrating you and your many achievements and contributions as a Navy Nurse, and the Nurse Corps’ Director, we have a view of and celebrate the Navy Nurse Corps as well.
Over 4,000 proud, active and reserve; Navy Nurses come from many different backgrounds, different experiences, interests and talents. Different hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Although these differences do exist and each Navy Nurse’s journey is unique; at our core, all Navy Nurses share the desire to care. The desire to care; and through caring, the desire to improve the health and wellness of individuals, families and communities; and most especially, the desire to care for and improve the health and wellness of those who serve in uniform, and for their families who love and cherish them.
Rear Admiral Niemyer, over the past three years, you have led us with grace, determination and purpose to care, world-wide, anytime and anywhere. Navy Nurses have and continue to care with tremendous distinction and profound commitment on the battle field, on ships, in operating rooms, in delivery rooms, clinics, labs, classrooms, and the list goes on. Through your leadership we are thoroughly engaged in caring, from birth through death, in joy and in sorrow. Leveraging 105 years of Nursing Excellence, you provided the vision and strategic direction needed for the Nurse Corps to succeed in a time of high demand, fast pace and significant change. The goal groups you have nurtured; Clinical Excellence, Research, Communication, and Workforce have united us, invigorated us and advanced our ability to care while ensuring we are fully aligned with and supportive of Navy Medicine’s Strategic Plan.
I am so very grateful to be a Nurse, to be a Navy Nurse, at this time and to be given the privilege to follow in your footsteps on the clear path and strong foundation you have established for us. There are many to whom I am grateful for having steered and supported me along the way. My mother, the smartest and wisest woman I have ever known, who told me I could be anything, while gently steering me toward nursing; she knew I was wired to be a nurse. And my husband, Carey, who taught me what it meant to be a Navy Nurse. My Shipmates in the Medical Corps, the Dental Corps, Medical Service Corps, Hospital Corps and others, who taught me about health and health care, from their perspective. And my fellow nurses; in uniform and otherwise; leaders, mentors, colleagues, and friends. How proud I am to be one of you. Past, present and future, you inspire me.
I am most grateful, however, to the patients and their families for whom I have had the privilege to care. From birth to death, from joy to sorrow, our patients are our most important and cherished teachers. As nurses we must treasure the lessons of our patient teachers for they are the most profound and fundamental. Mingled with our core of caring, these lessons enable us to become remarkable advocates and zealous champions for patients and patient care.
From the bedside, to the classroom, from the syringe to the clip board, from the clinic to the MTF Command Suite, we are skilled, talented, versatile, and full of energy; but more than anything, we are committed to caring. Amidst high demand, fast pace and tumultuous change, Navy Nurses will continue to be fully engaged in multiple locations and venues; key contributors to Navy Medicine’s great team in pursuit of Readiness, Value and Jointness. Our touchstone, however, will always be caring; providing and ensuring Patient and Family Centered Care.
Navy Nursing IS Nursing Excellence and Nursing Excellence centers on caring. It is my honor and privilege to lead and champion the Navy Nurse Corps as we take Nursing Excellence to the next level.

Thank you.

07/22/2013

Hello Nurse Corps Colleagues,

It seems like just yesterday that I became the Director of the Navy Nurse orps.with the blink of an eye the past three years have simply flown by. As you know, I will be transitioning from active duty after 32 years in the Navy Nurse Corps at the Women in Military Service for America (WIMSA) Memorial on August 1st. If you haven't ever been to WIMSA you need to visit
to appreciate the rich history of our Corps. As I look back on my blessed career, it has truly been a wonderful, exciting, and unforgettable journey.if I could do it all over again, I would!!!

As I reflect on the past three years, I am amazed at the many activities and achievements accomplished by the Navy Nursing Team--active, reserve, and civilian. During my first two years as the Director, I had the unique and very special opportunity to testify at the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense (SAC-D). This annual opportunity provided the Navy, Army, and Air Force Nursing Chiefs a voice to thank Congress for their support and to discuss our successes. It was a great honor for me to represent all of you during this testimony. With the loss of Senator Inouye this past November, we did not testify this year. We were prepared to do so though, and in lieu of a Congressional testimony I am publishing an amended document as the "State of the Navy Nurse Corps 2013." I urge you to review it as it highlights the many collective achievements of our Navy Nursing
Team.

The focus of the testimony in years past was to highlight your activities and accomplishments across the breadth and depth of the Navy Nursing Team. I enjoyed reporting your successes and updating the SAC-D on progress we were making in support of our strategic goals. Over the past three years, they were numerous and your collective efforts were nothing short of remarkable. Please know I extend my heartfelt thanks for all you've done to
move our profession forward.

I also want to publically thank the Nurse Corps Office staff for their
unwavering hard work, dedication and loyalty during my tenure. CAPT (sel) Valerie Morrison has been my Executive Assistant in my roles as Director, Navy Nurse Corps, Deputy Chief, Wounded, Ill and Injured, and Deputy Chief, Installations and Logistics. I could not have succeeded without her attention to detail, focused efforts and friendship.did I mention she also completed her Doctorate in Business Administration while being the EA? CAPT Sarah Martin has been a stellar Deputy Director. I am incredibly fortunate to
have shared the leadership of the Nurse Corps with her. She is an
incredible officer and leader, and I wish her many successes as she
transitions to be the first Navy Nurse Corps officer to serve as the Deputy Commander, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. RDML Maggie Rykowski has reshaped the RC to meet the current requirements and provide a fully integrated "One Force" Team. CAPTs Lisa Houser, Brenda Davis, and Anne Bloom have been essential to ensuring our Corps progresses professionally in concert with the many national nursing and Military Health
System changes. As the Nurse Corps Fellow, CDR (sel) Toni McRae has ensured that Navy Nursing is reaching out to meet recruitment and retention priorities, and we are not only meeting but are exceeding our goals. Last, but not least, our action officer, LT Todd Uhlman has been a stalwart in the Nurse Corps offices. Often behind the scenes, he has ensured documents move
forward and that we are all connected during VTCs. All of these officers are moving on to significant leadership positions that will allow them to fully exercise their leadership and continue to contribute to our Corps.

I also want to thank the Senior Nurse Executives/Directors of Nursing Service around the globe. You are the heart of nursing leadership and we would not succeed without your dedication to the practice of nursing and your commitment to development of nurses. I am always amazed at the caliber of nurses who readily step to the plate for this important leadership role. The same is true of our Specialty Leaders. I have been incredibly
appreciative of your keen insights and wisdom in your respective areas of practice.

Without a doubt, one of the things I enjoyed most as the Director, was meeting as many nurses as possible and seeing first hand, your accomplishments, improvements, and commitment to patients and the work at hand. I was lucky during my tenure, to visit many of our hospitals, clinics, and operational sites. Collectively, the Navy Nurse Corps is innovative, energetic, and committed to each other and to our patients. Your enthusiasm was readily apparent in the pride displayed during my site
visits, and I will treasure the many fond memories made at each site. I can say, I often returned to BUMED energized and motivated by your passion and dedication. I look forward to being able to revisit these memories through pictures and through reunions with the Navy Nurse Corps Association.

As I transition from active duty, I will enjoy watching the continued
forward progress of the Nurse Corps. I leave active service knowing you are in good hands and I am encouraged by the strength of leadership and commitment to excellence I see every day. I thank every one of you for making this last assignment my most rewarding. I am honored, humbled, and very proud to have served as your Director and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity.

With much gratitude and warmest regards,
RADM Niemyer

05/06/2013

Hello Navy Nursing Team,

As I look at the calendar and see National Nurses' Week 6-12 May and the 105th Navy Nurse Corps Birthday rapidly approaching on May 13th, I don't want to miss the opportunity to reach out to the entire Navy Nurse Corps Team. Truly, the work of the military nursing team-active duty and reserve component, and the federal civilian and contracted nurses who partner with us-is not for the faint of heart. As Florence Nightingale said, it requires
devotion and preparation. We are an integrated and highly regarded team of healthcare professionals, uniquely trained and qualified to provide and lead the delivery of the highest quality care in extremely diverse environments.
We are pivotal to ensuring the overall health, well-being, and operational readiness of our active duty military members and their families, as well as, essential to providing an optimal healthcare benefit for our retirees.

I believe it does take extraordinary ability and innovation to be a nurse. Our profession encompasses the skill of providing care and compassion to those who may be experiencing physical, emotional, or psychological pain.
It requires that you lean in to the patient experience and to empathize with their pain in order to better understand what is needed to begin the healing process. It can be exhausting - physically and emotionally - to care for the lives of others. Yet, nurses throughout the world continue to care for their patients, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Not a day, minute, or second passes in which a nurse isn't somewhere doing extraordinary work. It does
not surprise me that our profession is the most trusted profession in America.

The military nursing team remains highly respected and successful as professionals significantly contributing to the delivery of the highest quality healthcare in their roles as bedside care givers, licensed independent providers, administrators, clinical educators, and leaders. But regardless of the specific role, nursing knowledge and clinical excellence remain the very foundation upon which nurses build, advance, and refine the skills necessary for continued success. This clinical excellence is recognized within all levels of the Military Health System, as well as, professional nursing organizations and educational institutions across the
United States.

Last weekend I attended my 35th reunion at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Every class celebrating a reunion year ending in five or zero was included, starting with 1948. I was proud to celebrate with around 250 people covering 12 unique class groups, and of course it was fun to reunite with members my Class of 1978. The Distinguished Graduate Award was
bestowed on Ms. Darlene Curley, Executive Director of the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence. The Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence was founded in 2006 to improve healthcare through nursing. They provide grants that advance scholarship, leadership and innovation, and collaborate on initiatives with other leaders in the nursing field with a focus on fostering partnerships across philanthropic, business, policy and education sectors. During her acceptance speech, Ms. Curley showed a short news clip
video highlighting the work of one of the Jonas scholars. I was extremely proud to see two of our Navy nurses, LCDR Pam Wall (Jonas Scholar) and CDR Sean Convoy on the video speaking to a group of students about the behavioral health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), experienced by our Service members upon return from deployment. This is one example of many that showcases the work we do as Navy Nurses and the
recognition of that work throughout the profession of nursing.

In closing, I want to thank each and every one of you for the work you do every day. This week, we collectively celebrate National Nurses' Week and next Monday, May 13th, the 105th Navy Nurse Corps Birthday. Please take care of each other and enjoy the many festivities ahead. As always, please keep our deployed Navy Medicine family in your thoughts and prayers. It is always my greatest honor and privilege to represent you, the outstanding
Navy Nursing Team.

Happy 105th and Stay Safe.
RADM Niemyer

03/11/2013

Greetings Navy Nursing Team,

Here it is the 28th of February and I'm bound and determined to get my February email to you out today. Of course, much attention today in DC is focused on Sequestration (as it has been for some time). Planning has been ongoing and should Congress not be able to come to a resolution today, we must still be ready to fulfill Navy Medicine's mission tomorrow. I hope you
saw the SG's email message on Sequestration or have heard from your leadership on Sequestration, but if not, please know there are significant concerns on the part of senior leadership. We've now been at war for over a decade and the stresses are many. I don't know whether or not we will actually furlough our civilian employees, but it is more important than ever that you take care of yourselves and of each other during these challenging
times. You are a vital part of the team and you continue to make a
difference across the globe each and every day.

Last week I had the pleasure of hearing the Strategic Goal Team briefs covering the 1st quarter of the fiscal year. As is true every time I hear the briefs, I am AMAZED at what has been accomplished. I believe we are well on target to meet our objectives for the year. As a recap: Clinical and Professional Excellence (Team Leader CDR Domotorffy) - During
this 1st quarter, this team focused on their first objective which is to recommend options to align the Nurse Corps DUINS Training Plan to better meet Navy Medicine's requirements. So far they have researched 150 pure CNS programs in 8 different nursing specialties. By year's end, they will have evaluated the programs (CNS vs. DNP) to assess capabilities of meeting our expectations. This is important to shaping the force of the future and planning training pipelines.

Nurture a Culture of Scientific Inquiry (Team Leader CDR Dennis Spence) - The first objective is to facilitate completion of one Regional EBP project per Region working with Knowledge Brokers. During this quarter, the team created a project team page on milBOOK to include resources for the members.
Their main focus was to get nurses engaged in EBP and ensure some practice formulating questions and then launching projects. As such, they revised their PICO (problem, intervention comparison and outcome) questions and began their literature searches. The second objective is to collaborate with the other Service Branches and TRNSP to develop a multimedia EBP
educational program. Once again, they are using milBOOK to share their work and post research and scientific inquiry resources. Lastly, they are developing a senior level EBP information session to educate senior leaders
on the use of EBP. We have found that nurses graduating today are well versed in EBP through their nursing school programs; however, we want to also ensure our senior leaders are familiar with EBP and know how to support the various projects.

Strategic Communication (Team Leaders CDR James Chaulker and LCDR Stephan Guidry) - This year's focus is all about quality content and sustainment of our established communication venues. This has been a three year evolution which will culminate in the establishment of a NC Strategic Communication
Board comprised of the NKO, NC News, NC Video, NC Email List and NC Facebook Managers. The Board will be chaired by the NC Fellow who is central to all the communication venues. This Board will continually evaluate communication modalities, will periodically survey the NC at large and will ensure the sustainment of our Strategic Communication efforts. A special shout out to LCDR James Riley (NKO Manager), LCDR Brandon Limtiaco (NC
LISTSERV Manager) and the NC Newsletter Team-LCDR Kathleen Harlow, LCDR Tim Rousselow, and LT Nicholas Perez-as (NC Newsletter Managers) as we are indebted to their ongoing work and dedication to building and sustaining the current communication platforms.

Workforce - Activity Manning Document Review - This team has taken on the onerous task of subspecialty re-alignments to best optimize mission at each facility while maintaining strategic assets and overall NC mission. This objective is huge and we are working it in concert with BUMED M1 (Manpower).
We intend to take an honest look at where are assets are aligned and whether we have the right specialties at each command. Fortunately, we have the a team of people who enjoy number crunching and spreadsheets to recommend our way ahead.my hat's off to the members of this group.

In alignment with the NC Strategic Goals, our Reserve Component focused on the following:
1. Leveraging alternative technology to improve and execute their Junior Officer Symposium. They are using Defense Connect Online (DCO) to host their symposium. I applaud this innovative move and I believe it will serve as a springboard for hosting other conferences previously done in person. During this challenging fiscal environment and in the future, we will need to leverage technology to stay abreast with conferences and
communication in general.
2. Explore opportunities for nursing research - The RC is actively
engaged in mentoring PhD and DNP students, working with the other Services to develop EBP curriculum, posting EBP and research presentations and utilizing TRNSP opportunities and grants.
3. For workforce development, the RC is optimizing specialty leader involvement in community management, maximizing use of PERIOP-101 and supporting local presence at local, regional and national meetings and nursing schools.

I hope this brings you up to speed on the strategic updates for the NC. These groups are working hard and are "getting it done"!!! I extend my sincere thanks for the diligent efforts to help shape the NC of the future.

On a different note, I had the opportunity last week to visit the joint
Navy, Army and Air Force Nursing Team at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.
Under the leadership of CAPT Annette Beadle, this joint nursing team is flourishing. I enjoyed hearing about their many accomplishments and touring this new, gorgeous facility. Talk about state-of-the-art, the entire building was built with the patient at the forefront of every decision; not to mention, it is also environmentally friendly. I was also able to hold an Admiral's call for all the nurses to discuss issues and exchange thoughts/ideas. It was a great visit and my thanks to the entire nursing team.

In closing, I want to thank each and every one of you for what you do everyday. These are difficult times and we will continually face many challenges ahead. The stress on our force is evident and taking care of yourselves and each other is again, incredibly important.

Stay safe,
RADM Niemyer sends

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This is the official page for the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. This page is intended to provide updated information and discussion on topics about the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. While this is an open forum, it's also a family friendly one, so please keep your comments and wall posts clean. In addition to keeping it family friendly, we ask that you follow our posting guidelines here. Comments and posts that do not follow these guidelines will be removed: - We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions nor do we allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization. - We do not allow solicitations or advertisements. This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. Similarly, we do not allow attempts to defame or defraud any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. - We do not allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity. - You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. - For Official Use Only (FOUO), classified, pre-decisional, proprietary or business-sensitive information should never be discussed here. Don’t post personnel lists, rosters, organization charts or directories. This is a violation of privacy. The appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, the U.S. Navy, or Department of Defense. You are encouraged to quote, republish or share any content on this page on your own blog, Web site or other communication/publication. If you do so, please credit the command or the person who authored the content as a courtesy. Thank you for your interest in and support of the men and women of the U.S. Nurse Corps. For more information visit the DoD Social Media user agreement at: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ourmilitary.mil%2Fuser_agreement.shtml&h=gAQE2_J_A If you would like information about joining the Navy, please visit http://www.navy.com/.

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