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.
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.
