The Air Force Medical Service celebrates Nurse and Tech Week, May 6-12, honoring nurses and medical technicians for their invaluable dedication to medical readiness and providing high quality patient care. This year, the AFMS is highlighting nurses who were empowered to serve their nation while advancing their careers in health care through the Air Force’s selective education programs.
A call to serve: The road to psychiatric nursing
U.S. Air Force Maj. Tajuana Shuler answered her call to serve after the 9/11 attack and enlisted in the Air Force in 2003. With her sight set on helping others navigate the mental health care system, she pursued the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program, transforming the trajectory of her career as a young service member.
“I knew I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than myself. [NECP] was life-changing,” said Shuler. “It gave me the opportunity to advance from being an enlisted member to a commissioned officer and professional nurse- without having to worry about the stress of how I was going to pay for my tuition. It gave me a sense of purpose and strengthened my clinical and leadership skills.”
Since the start of her career, Shuler has served as a nurse practitioner, executive officer to the Air Combat Command Surgeon General supporting operational policy, and now as an inpatient psychiatric flight commander at the 59th Medical Wing in San Antonio, Texas, which has the largest joint force inpatient unit.
Living by the Air Force principles of service before self and continued excellence have sustained Shuler’s passion and momentum to becoming a servant leader for her multidisciplinary team of health professionals and a mentor for the next generation of Airmen.
“It's very rewarding to serve in the Nurse Corps [and] it's very important for us leaders to make sure that we are helping to develop the next set of leaders, and…that we allow our members to have a voice and feel heard because that truly makes a difference,” Shuler remarked.
Twenty-two years into service, she continues to inspire, stand firm in challenges, and advocate for her team of nurses and technicians to uphold the mission and ensure readiness.
Nurse anesthetists driven by duty, from scholarship to service
“I've always felt this sense of duty and pride [in wanting] to serve my country,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Robert Kirby. “I joined the Air Force because I wanted to take care of those putting a lot on the line. They're on the frontline, sacrificing for this country. We can have a small part in getting them back to their families or getting them better so they can continue to serve in their capacity.”
The certified registered nurse anesthetist, assigned to the 88th Surgical Operations Squadron at Wright-Patterson Medical Center in Ohio, commissioned into the Air Force through the Health Professions Scholarship Program in March 2022. Since entering active duty in August 2024, he has poured dedication into his specialty, managing patient pain during surgical operations.
Kirby recalled a moment in which a patient from Michigan returned to the medical center for a minor weekend procedure, preferring the high-quality care that he would receive from Wright-Patterson providers.
“It was a moment where I was proud to work at Wright-Patt,” he said. “I was happy to be there even on a Sunday, trying to do good work and get that patient back home.”
Beyond his devotion to duty is his desire to share his passion for patient care with future CRNAs. Kirby encourages Airmen to seek mentors early in their careers and shadow health care professionals within career fields of their interest.
“Nursing's a great career. I love what I do. We get to see patients through a lot of scary moments when being in the hospital. It can be scary, and you get to be a voice of hope and comfort,” he said.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Chance Moore, a CRNA for the 959th Surgical Operations Squadron at Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, also commissioned through HPSP in March 2022. He hails from a military family with both parents serving as Army Reservists.
“When I was little, I always wanted to join the Air Force. The profession that I wanted to do [was] nurse anesthesia. I was fortunate to come across HPSP that was going to allow me to do both,” he said.
Prior to his commission, Moore worked as an Intensive Care Unit civilian nurse at a level one trauma care center during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing him for the same level of care provided at BAMC’s own trauma center.
As an early career Airman, Moore spoke volumes of the genuine support and community he has found within the Nurse Corps.
“I can lean on my colleagues for advice and education while also teaching others new ideas and techniques … I wouldn't change my job for the world,” he emphasized.
Visit the AFMS Nurse Corps page [https://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/About-Us/Medical-Branches/Nurse-Corps/] for more information on career and education opportunities.
| Date Taken: | 05.13.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2025 10:13 |
| Story ID: | 497817 |
| Location: | FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 7 |
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This work, Empowered to serve: NECP, HPSP programs transform lives of Air Force nurses, by Maristela Romero, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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