Blog Archive » 2006 » May

Like millions of other young men in the 1940's, Dad fought in World War II. He was an Army captain, leading his men in the Philippines. And, also like millions of other soldiers of that era, when the war was over he came home and spoke little of the experience in the ensuing decades. Sometimes he'd let us kids try on his old uniform jacket and officer's hat; a few old photos showed him as a very young man with others in a remote jungle location. We would invent stories about some of the more mysterious objects on his dresser that may or may not have been war memorabilia; maybe he was just teasing us. Later, we learned about the trove of his letters home that Mom still keeps close by. Dad was proud of his service, and deeply patriotic. He just did not want to talk about what he saw in the war.

Much has been said and written about "The Greatest Generation," those who lived through the Depression and World War II, who went on to raise the Boomer generation and create the wealthiest, most advanced society the world has known. Beneath the headlines and the hype are countless quieter stories, lives interrupted by the call of duty, service in strange and dangerous places far from families or the comforts of home. So it goes down through the generations of soldiers and sailors and all those we now call "warfighters."

World War II might have been the last war around which there was true national agreement. In the six decades since WWII ended, this nation's forays into major armed conflict — Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq — have provoked increasing skepticism, if not outright opposition, to war as a means to protect this nation's interests, to ensure freedom. But Memorial Day is not a time to debate the ethics of war. Instead, today we remember the quiet men and women who answered the call to duty, people like Dad whose service so long ago helped to secure our way of life today.

See memorial day

How fitting that Trinity is launching a new marketing campaign for our new Nursing Program during National Nurses Week! "Nurses: Strength, Commitment, Compassion" is the theme for the week that runs May 6-12. American Nurses Association (ANA) President Barbara Blakeney, MS, RN writes on the ANA website, "Today's nurses must have the strength to care for patients during times of disaster and crisis; the commitment to remain involved in continuing education throughout their careers; and the compassion to provide hands-on patient care at the bedside - as we have done throughout the centuries. Moreover, at 2.9 million strong, nurses represent the largest group of health care professionals in America, and we have the power to achieve much-needed reform in nursing and in health care. That is why it is important to take time during National Nurses Week to thank nurses for what they do and to remind the public just how vital our nation's nurses are to patients, their families and society."

Trinity's new Director of Nursing Dr. Sharon Mailey is moving quickly to build our program. She offers this observation on Trinity's initiative: "As the Trinity Nursing Program is being launched, it gives us an opportunity to reflect on the historical strength of Trinity and our commitment to service and learning, and our passion to be the great institution that we are. Adding the Trinity Nursing Program is a strategic decision to foster university growth and to better serve our community; its mission is to provide a program of liberal and nursing education that builds on the education and skills of registered nurses; and to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for professional nursing practice. The profession of nurse is a perfect match for the Trinity mission."

Dr. Mailey comes to Trinity with long years of experience in nursing education at Shenandoah University, Marymount University, Georgetown University, and military nursing experience including the Air Force Reserves where she achieved the rank of Brigadier General. She is an exceptional leader to launch Trinity's program.

Trinity will start with the RN-to-BSN degree, with the first class enrolling for the Fall 2006 semester. Future plans include expansion to many other phases of nursing credentials, and other allied health professions. Nurses who are interested in completing their BSN degrees should visit Trinity's website for more information and applications.

The need to expand the nursing workforce in this region and throughout the nation is critical. With a long track record in preparing students for medical careers and a strong science program, Trinity is well positioned to add Nursing and Health Professions to our roster of major programs. We look forward to working with area health care providers, including our partners and friends at Kaiser Permanente, Medstar (especially the Washington Hospital Center and the National Rehabilitation Hospital), Providence Hospital, D.C. Chartered Health and many other area hospitals and medical centers as we move ahead with plans to expand these programs.

For more information visit www.trinitydc.edu

See also Nursing, Nurses, Health Professions, Health