EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 96th Medical Group remembered to honor the medical professionals and service members who care for the families, retirees and active duty population during Nurse and Tech Week.
For many Airmen, the road to become a military nurse or technician begins in the civilian sector.
Maj. Bradley Terrill, 96th MDG Emergency Department flight commander, entered the Air Force in 2000 with two years of nursing experience in a civilian hospital. He also separated from the Air Force to work for the Department of Health for two years before returning to active duty. When comparing the two environments, he has a very clear favorite.
“What I like about this experience is who I get to serve,” said Terrill. “While I miss some of the trauma or the true sickness [of a civilian emergency center], I get to serve a really good group of people and most of them are people who are serving to protect all of us.”
The clinical nurse specialist acknowledged that new staff may need time to adjust if they’ve worked in a non-military hospital prior to joining or becoming a contractor. He noted most nurses in the emergency department who were active duty had worked as civilians and had the itch to serve.
The enlisted staff also has a significant level of previous civilian experience as well.
Tech Sgt. LaQuita Hambrick, the Orthopedics flight chief, worked as a certified nursing assistant for seven months prior to joining the Air Force. She spent her career within the medical community, first as an operating-room tech for seven years then as an orthopedic technician for the last eight years.
“The need to help others has always been a passion,” said Hambrick. “Ensuring we take care of people in all capacities; mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually is very rewarding.”
While the North Carolina native enjoys her role in caring for others, she also acknowledges the practicality of a medical career in the military.
“Medicine is always one of best options,” said Hambrick. “It provides a skill set easily transferred to civilian life. Whenever you choose to leave, you will be prepared to enter the workforce.”
She noted the necessity to learn other practical skills beyond the medical component such as learning to multi-task, manage stressful schedules and how to execute projects in an efficient manner. Ultimately, her job is about helping her patients from the beginning to the end of their recovery.
“You meet your patients early on and watch their journey and healing,” said Hambrick. “You follow their recovery process back to full strength. It is the most rewarding part of my job.”
Both Hambrick and Terrill agree the medical staff here is exceptional, not only in their skill set, but their compassion and dedication to their career.
“I think you see a different level of commitment and care because we know what our patients do for this country,” said Hambrick.