U.S. ARMY GARRISON - YONGSAN, KOREA -- "I am a nurse, but my sense of duty as a Soldier comes first."
The 2018 U.S. Army Nurse Corps Anniversary was an unforgettable moment for Capt. Jessica Dirks, a staff nurse with the Multi Care Unit /Progressive Care Unit of the Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital (BAACH).
After she was distinguished with the 60th Annual Evangeline G. Bovard Award in February 2018 for her hard work at Outpatient Infusion Clinic implementing MHS Genesis in Madigan Army Community Hospital, Dirks felt like she was standing in front of another door.
"It was a great honor to be the recipient of the award. At the same time, I felt like this award is challenging me to do more. It made me think what I can do further to develop myself as a nurse and also as a Soldier and a leader."
Upon accepting the award, Dirks looked back on her experience as an Army nurse and refreshed the calling she followed when she joined the Army. Dirks is the first Army nurse in her family but she believes she was inherited the virtues that take to be one.
"I got the compassionate heart from my Mother and an iron fist from my Father, who served 32 years in the Army" said Dirks. "I believe, as a nurse in the military, you should have a caring heart for the patients as well as a mindset of a Soldier who will overcome challenges to move forward and lead by example to serve our nation."
Dirks was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. upon graduating from the University of Kansas in 2014. What she loved the most about being a nurse was working in the Inpatient Units where she could encounter patients in relatively regular and long-term basis. This treatment environment allowed her to get to know the patients on a personal level. Dirks shared that she was not only able to assess patients' physical status but also to learn their emotional status and family dynamics which helped her inspire and support the patients throughout the care and recovery process.
"I remembered how powerful it can influence the treatment outcome, furthermore, their emotional and mental well-being to sincerely get to know the patients better by paying attention to their lives. That's when I realized how my experience as nurse can inspire my fellow and enlisted Soldiers," said Dirks.
After receiving the award, she decided to challenge herself to take the chance to be in a leadership position. Recently promoted to the rank of captain, she was selected as the next Bravo Company Commander for 121st Combat Support Hospital (CSH).
"Some people might think it is not common for an officer with the skills sets of 66H (Medical-Surgical Nurse) to be in a command position. However, I know I can serve the Soldiers by doing what I can do the best, sincerely desiring to serve and care the people and inspire them by doing so. I hope to be a commander who is compassionate, but also encourage the Soldiers to make optimal changes in healthcare to better serve our warfighters, retirees and their families," shared Dirks.
"Celebrating the National Nurse Week, we are thrilled to have selected one of our great nurses who is ready to lead our Soldiers with a compassionate heart and exceptional experience" said Col. Erica Clarkson, the Commander of 121st CSH and BAACH, who also presided over Dirks' promotion ceremony. "On behalf the staff in the hospital, I also want to acknowledge each and every nurse on our team who never cease to provide amazing care and service to our patients and the nation. Without their selfless dedication, we wouldn't have able to achieve what we have along the way."
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