Team Sheppard celebrates nurse, medical technician appreciation week Published May 5, 2011 By Lieutenant Colonel Jim Stryd 82nd Medical Group Medical Services Flight Commander SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 82nd Medical Group and 882nd Training Group will join the American Nurses Association in celebrating National Nurses Week May 6. This year's national theme is "Nurses Trusted to Care" and the goal for the week-long national celebration May 6-12 is to recognize the role and outstanding contributions of our nurses and medical technicians. There are nearly 3.1 million nurses who help promote and maintain the health of the nation. At the 82nd MDG there are 45 registered nurses, 24 licensed vocational nurses and 43 medical technicians that assist in the health of our 14,000 active duty, permanent party and family members and the 6,000 Airmen in Training annually. Nurses and medical technicians of the 882nd TRG conduct military and technical training for over 5,000 Air Force, Guard, Reserve, Navy, and Army medics annually to directly support the Air Force Medical Services expeditionary mission as well as war fighter combat capability. The 140 staff members that oversee 59 courses will continue their mission at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as part of the Base Realignment and Closure. A week-long celebration will kick off at Sheppard May 9 with a series of appreciation and social activities for the nurses and medical technicians. "The goal is to honor our nurses and medical technicians for what they do each and every day," said Col. Jennifer Bauer, 82nd Medical Group deputy commander and chief nurse. Maj. Gen. Kimberly Siniscalchi, Assistant Air Force Surgeon General and Medical Force Development, and Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Potts, Chief of Medical Enlisted Force Development, are hosting a Total AF Nursing and Technician kickoff with a video telecast "Fireside Chat". The interactive webinar will feature questions from nurses and technicians in the field to connect and celebrate the strength of the total nursing force through professional diversity. According to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses have been in the top 10 list of projected job growth from 2002 to 2012. This year for the first time, RNs have been listed as the occupation with the most growth. However, there is still a concern that there will not be enough nurses in the future. With an aging population coupled with nurses retiring or leaving the profession, the American Nurses Association has great concern our country could have a shortage of more than one million nurses within a decade. None the less the nursing profession is still advancing. Today, there are over 240,000 advanced practice nurses. Of these, 144,200 are nurse practitioners, 69,000 are clinical nurse specialists, 13,700 are nurse midwives, and 32,500 are nurse anesthetists. At the 82nd MDG, eight of the nurses are advanced practice nurses. They work in family practice, pediatrics, women's health and mental health. Today, the Air Force deploys nurses and medical technicians on a regular basis for humanitarian and combat missions. At any given time, deployed nurses and medical technicians are rendering care whether it is in Iraq, Afghanistan, in the air on an air evacuation aircraft or any number of other locations throughout the world. Their selfless dedication during a deployment or here in the local area is inspiring as they are keeping our warriors, retired warriors and families healthy. Take an opportunity to thank our civilian, active duty and reserve medics for their service.