Combat nurses: The ER

Published Feb. 11, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. D. Clare
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Editor's note: This is the third installment of a six part series by Tech. Sgt. D. Clare titled "Combat Nurses." In the series Sergeant Clare takes an in-depth and personal look at how nurses from different specialties are caring for the war wounded at one of the busiest trauma centers in the world.

Every trauma code that comes into the Air Force Theater Hospital here starts in the emergency room, where nurses work to save wounded warrior's lives and, along the way, provide some comfort.

Captain Shelly Garceau, a night shift ER nurse, has a perpetually optimistic smile and sunny personality that you might not expect from one who spends the majority of her time in the hospital's most chaotic department.

With a decade of nursing under her belt and four years of military service, the Ogden, Utah, native has seen hundreds, if not thousands of troops in their most desperate moments. On any given night, she's the first person a wounded American sees when they're rolled from the helicopter pad into the hospital here.

"If you ever wondered why you became a nurse, or if you ever made a difference, you come here and you know you do every day," the captain says. "People tell me I was made to do this, that I was made to be a nurse. It's what I do. I take care of people."

Captain Garceau's job is to assist doctors as they assess the wounded and provide medications and care as the team races against the clock to save lives. It usually takes just eight minutes for the captain and her team to clear a critically-wounded patient through the emergency room, and that includes the time it takes stop at radiology for CT scans.

Captain Garceau says despite the necessary rush, nurses are committed to reassuring patients and showing as much compassion and care as they can squeeze into the time they have with the wounded.

Army Spc. Christopher Burrell, a Soldier from the 108th Military Police Company, arrives from the Combat Support Hospital, another medical facility in Iraq.

He's had a bad day.

An explosively formed penetrator struck his Hummvee. The explosive's copper plating had turned into a molten ball of fire. It burned through the vehicle and took his left leg with it.

Captain Garceau is there to receive him. She encourages him to rest. He says he can't.

"I'm afraid that if I go to sleep I won't wake up."

"It's my job to make sure you do," she says. "Once you get to me, I'll make sure nothing happens to you."

Captain Garceau says her patients are her heroes. They protect her and her fellow Airmen. She respects their sacrifices and they respect her.

"I had a patient come in last night who had injured his arm. He was pretty banged up. And even though he was hurt, he's telling me that he didn't want to leave his troops behind," she says. "It humbles you to know how dedicated these Soldiers are."

The granddaughter of retired military officers and the daughter of an Army Vietnam War veteran, the call to serve came at the right time.

"If you would have asked me 10 years ago if I'd be doing this, I'd probably tell you that you were crazy," she said. But when the recruiter called four years ago, she said she couldn't find a reason to say no. And she's never looked back.

"I can honestly say that I've helped save lives. I can say that I've made a difference, which is incredible," she said. "There's nothing like those guys looking you straight in the face and saying, 'Thank you. Thank you for everything.'"

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page

FEATURES

Combat Nurses

Combat Nurses