NMCSD Nurses Bring Nursing Profession Forward at Annual Symposium

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

05.15.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Indra Beaufort 

Naval Medical Center San Diego

SAN DIEGO—“We have come a long way,” said Cmdr. Kelly Vega during the third annual Professional Development Symposium at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD).

Vega was one of nine guest speakers invited to the one-day symposium, hosted and organized by the Nursing Professional Education and Development team at NMCSD, May 15.

Guest speakers included experienced nurses who are either currently working at NMCSD or have been contracted with the military for many years.

“The purpose of the symposium is to reach out to our senior leaders, because of their wealth and knowledge, and have them provide presentations and information for both our civilian and active duty nursing staff to promote professional growth and development,” said symposium organizer Lt. Kaitlyn Vangunten.

The annual symposium coincides with the Navy Nurse Corps birthday and National Nurses Week during the month of May; an homage to Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), the founder of modern nursing.

In the beginning of the symposium, guest speakers shared their professional experiences and educated attendees about the model and history of the Navy Nurse Corps.

Eighteen years ago, Vega said she attended a similar nursing symposium as a brand new nurse at NMCSD when nursing staff, she said, were using Montgomery straps and performing open abdomen techniques.

Guest speakers also highlighted the 21st century model of Navy nursing.

Speakers said that the nursing community at NMCSD and in the military continues to be an evolution in progress.

“I’m glad a lot of things have changed,” said Vega. “We have resident programs now, such as the nurse residency program, where you get an opportunity to have a much longer orientation and learn about the Navy.”

Other guest speakers, such as Cmdr. Anne Hollis, director of quality and management at NMCSD, reminded nurses on the symbolic representations of the Navy Nurse Corps colors and insignia.

“Please realize all the hard work that went into crafting it,” said Hollis. “It really came from one of our own.”

Hollis also emphasized the importance of the Professional Practice Model, or PPM, to an organization like NMCSD.

“Each hospital is unique to the organization,” said Hollis. “How it shapes its identity, how it shapes the practice, gives core values, and helps identify who you are. PPM unites us as whole because we are achieving the same mission.”

Echoing Florence Nightingale’s quote: “let us never consider ourselves finished nurses ...we must be learning all of our lives”, guest speakers stressed the importance of education, communication, compassion, self-improvement, and teamwork.

“Continue to learn about our profession,” said Vega. “I encourage all of you to get involved. Take the opportunities to help advance your people. Again, bring your profession forward.”

Vangunten said she would like to see future nursing symposiums at NMCSD.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a brand new ensign in the Navy or a lieutenant. All the information is applicable to everybody in any stage. I think this [symposium] will benefit anyone,” said Vangunten.

For more information on the Professional Development Symposium, dial [phone].

For more news from Naval Medical Center San Diego, visit www.navy.mil/local/sd/

• Date Taken: 05.15.2018
• Date Posted: 05.19.2018 11:10
• Story ID: 277639
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US