Langley AFB nurse earns national honor

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jason J. Brown
  • 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFNS) --  A nurse from the 633rd Medical Group here was recently recognized with a national award during the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Armed Forces Section's 2010 annual conference in Las Vegas.

Capt. Marion Collins, a women's health clinic nurse manager with the group, was named the 2010 Junior Nurse of the Year.

"Winning this award means a lot to me," Captain Collins said. "It is good recognition for the Air Force to show civilian nurses the military side of nursing."

Maj. Kristine Hackett, the women's health flight commander, received the call for nominations for the award and submitted a package for the captain.

Major Hackett described Captain Collins as a highly-skilled nurse and "mission-focused officer," completing a multitude of critical life-saving measures and executing several initiatives to maximize the efficiency of the staff.

In addition to ensuring effective patient care, the captain, a veteran registered nurse and prior enlisted Airman, bolstered her self-improvement through her focus on continuing education and training, as well as community involvement, including leading her squadron's Combined Federal Campaign beyond wing goals and donating more than $1,500 in clothing and household items to the Airman's attic.

Captain Collins began her Air Force career in 1982 in communications, separating in 1992 as a staff sergeant to pursue her education and raise a family. From there, she earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan, and worked as a civilian registered nurse for 16 years until returning to the Air Force as an officer in 2008.

"I never wanted to get out of the Air Force, but I wanted my get my nursing degree," the captain said. "I'm so excited to be back in the Air Force. I love it."

Captain Collins attributed her passion for military nursing to the necessity of providing care to new mothers in the military healthcare system, including young female servicemembers.

"A lot of people are surprised with the need for labor and delivery nurses in the military," she said. "We are a good voice for our patients. A lot of the women we see are very young and scared, at a new base with no family in the area. I instill in them that I'm their advocate and will be there for them."