Army nurses contribute to Air Force hospital

Photo By Sgt. Mitch Armbruster | 1st Lt. Richard Stevens, an intensive care nurse working at the Air Force Theater Hospital located on Logistical Support Area Anaconda, takes care of a patient.  

05.16.2006

Courtesy Story

207th Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Mitch Armbruster

Teamwork is a skill servicemembers learn early in their careers. At the beginning of a person's enlistment or as a veteran in their job, servicemembers have to work together to accomplish their mission.

Army nurses working at the Air Force Theater Hospital (AFTH) located at Logistical Support Area Anaconda, help injured servicemembers who are transported to the hosptial, while contributing to the Air Force team.

"I've been here two months," said Capt. Brett Cavanaugh, an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse with the 47th Combat Support Hospital from Fort Lewis, Wash. "It's a nice change of pace, I like the busyness of work."

Cavanaugh was working at Forward Operating Base Speicher two months prior to coming to the hospital on LSA Anaconda.

"One of the more challenging aspects of our job is just being in theater," Cavanaugh said. "You see the repercussions of war; innocent people [local nationals] get hurt. Thankfully, the majority of cases I've been in, end up having a good outcome."

Working at the hospital on LSA Anaconda gives the Army nurses a chance to see civilians and service-members.

Together with the Air Force, they take care of patients to make sure they receive the best care possible.

Capt. Amy Hadsall, an operating room (OR) nurse with the 207th Head and Neck Neurology Team working at the hospital, said her responsibilities could be described as a "health care waitress." The OR nurse makes sure the doctor has all of the tools to do the job.

"This is an experience you will never be able to have in the United States," Hadsall said. "Any trauma center you work at in the United States will see some trauma, but not at this level and not this many."

Hadsall stated the work is difficult and can be challenging emotionally.

"It's the hardest thing I've ever done emotionally because we see these kids come in, 18, 19, 20 years-old, their lives are going to be completely changed when they leave here," said Hadsall.

Hadsall said the experiences she has faced aren't easy and no matter how hard you try, you can't prepare yourself for what will happen next.

"My goal is to make it out of the room without crying," Hadsall explained with tears in her eyes. "I need to be the strong one while that patient is on the table."

The nurses take care of one another. They become a support system because they trust each other.

Army nurses have the support system in place because they know their job is important and they have to be ready to perform.

"We just know it," said Maj. Jacqueline Allen about working in the OR. Allen is an OR nurse with the 207th Head and Neck Neurology Team.

"You can't go in there and try to figure it out because somebody's life is at stake."

"I'm taking care of the American Soldier," Allen said. "My passion is for my folks [servicemembers]."

Servicemembers leave a lasting impression on the nurses.

"Soldiers don't take going home well," said 1st Lt. Richard Stevens, an ICU nurse from the 47th. "It's hard for them to swallow the idea they can't stay in the fight."

Besides helping servicemembers, they also care for local nationals.

"Wives and mothers, they are very appreciative [that] their families are receiving medical care," said Stevens. "I think the Iraqi people know they are getting the best care possible here at the hospital."

The Army nurses at the hospital like the opportunity working at the hospital presents. They have a strong support system and love working with patients. Stevens explained this is a military mission, and there are no differences between the services when it comes to saving lives.

"In the end it's all about taking care of patients and taking care of Soldiers," Cavanaugh said.

• Date Taken: 05.16.2006
• Date Posted: 05.16.2006 12:35
• Story ID: 6400