The first class of nurses completed the Air Force’s new nurse residency program at the San Antonio Military Medical Center at JBSA-Randolph, Tex., announced Air Education and Training Command officials on Aug. 21. The 12 nurses graduated on Aug. 20, according to AETC’s release. The residency program launched in January in response to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing recommendation to build a transitional year of training for newly licensed nurses. “The transition to practice for the new nurses will positively impact practice, retention. and ultimately patient safety,” said Maj. Gen. Kimberly Siniscalchi, the Air Force’s assistant surgeon general for medical force development and nursing services. “Compassion is the lifeline to your patient’s needs and it’s what they will remember most,” she said at the graduation ceremony. (Randolph report by Dianne Moffett)
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.