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Nurse transition program ends in June at Keesler

  • Published
  • By 81st Medical Group
  • Education and training flight
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The 81st Medical Group welcomed its last eight Nurse Transition Program students April 11. They graduate June 23.

The 11-week program is designed to facilitate the transition of novice nurses into the roles of Air Force Nurse Corps officers in Air Force medical treatment facilities. The Keesler course provided three 10-student classes per year.

Capt. Iesiah Harris, NTP chief, said she'll miss her students but acknowledged the decision to close the Keesler program "is best for the future of our nurse corps."

Keesler has hosted the NTP since its inception in 1977. Seven NTP sites are being deactivated due to reduced clinical capabilities at the MTFs. NTP sites remaining active include Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and two civilian institutions, UC Health University Hospital in Cincinnati and Scottsdale Healthcare System in Scottsdale, Ariz. In addition, a third civilian nurse transition center of excellence training program opens at Tampa General Hospital this summer.

Each civilian facility is partnered with an active duty medical group. Captain Harris said, "Civilian facilities provide exceptional clinical experiences for new nurses while the two field grade officer NTP chiefs at each location ensure students are properly indoctrinated into the Air Force Nurse Corps."

According to Lt. Col. Deedra Zabokrtsky, assigned to Luke AFB, Ariz., and NTP chief at Scottsdale Healthcare, "'bluing' future nurse corps leaders is a calculated process. Students have opportunities to meet and talk with local senior nursing executive leadership. An NCO panel offers students the opportunity to ask panel members tough questions, such as what makes a good Air Force nurse and what their biggest pet peeve about nurses is. In addition, the nurses are briefed on educational opportunities and the nursing career path."

She added, "Our 'blueing' is very deliberate. The transition nurses wear a uniform to and from work and at all seminars, and on the floors they wear a name tag, their rank insignia and a hospital badge. We hold them to the Air Force standards of customs and courtesy and devote time each seminar to question and answer sessions."

The civilian NTP programs are nine weeks long.

The final Keesler class spends time on the medical and surgical inpatient units, intensive care, same-day surgery and emergency department. Students are exposed to multiple critical-care patient simulation experiences. In addition to clinical activities, the new nurses attend a leadership mentoring seminar where they will be exposed to relevant topics to aid their successful transition into the Air Force Nurse Corps.

Members of the last Keesler NTP class and their follow-on assignments are Tiffany Chambers, Jessica Lakemper, Hailey Ott and Cristi Dueker-Bray, Keesler; 2nd Lts. Kerri Ehrisman, Olivia Eldridge and Beverly Rodriguez, Eglin AFB, Fla.; and Kristin Blouin, Yokota Air Base, Japan.