Fort Bliss Monitor

Community celebrates Army Nurse Corps’ anniversary with Beaumont staff

Clarence Davis III

Brig. Gen. (Army Ret.) Clare L. Adams-Ender speaks to more than 200 spectators at the
U.S. Army Nurse Corps celebration of 105 years of service to the nation. She spoke of
Qualities Possessed by Nurses.

Clarence Davis III
WBAMC Public Affairs

More than 200 celebrated the 105th anniversary of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps at the Fort Bliss Officers Club Feb. 4.

The nursing staff from William Beaumont Army Medical Center presented the program that included a moment of silence for those in harms way, thanks for all who had served, recognition of future nurses in the Army Nurse Corps, cutting of the anniversary cake and a book signing at the end of formal activities. Retired Army Brig. Gen. Clara L. Adams-Ender, R.N., was the guest speaker. Those attending the ceremony included active and retired nurses, WBAMC staff, several members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority local chapter, and friends from the community.

During the past 105 years, Army nurses have served the country with pride and distinction. Before the Corps became a formal organization, women attended the sick and wounded during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Despite the pay being low or nonexistent, they served selflessly. In 1898, the beginning of the Spanish American War, women were contracted by the government for $30 a month and one ration. These nurses served admirably and gained respect. Because of their performance, the Nurse Corps Division was established in the Office of the Surgeon General, under the supervision of Dr. Anita Newcomb.

Congress was presented a bill on Feb. 2, 1901, to establish a permanent Nurse Corps. However, nurses were not commissioned as officers until 1947. After the Korean War, legislation was passed authorizing men to be commissioned in the Army Nurse Corps. The first male was commissioned in October 1955. Since males and females serve together as commissioned officers and nurses in the Army Nurse Corps.

During World War I, nurses served stateside, Europe, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The American Red Cross provided reserve nurses during World War I. Two decades later, during World War II, nurses served with distinction. Further, during World War II, 67 nurses became prisoners of war. From 1963 to 1973, more than 5,000 Army Nurse Corps Officers served in the Republic of South Vietnam. Because of the rapid evacuation, close proximity of Army hospitals, and skill of the caregivers, there was a rapid decline in casualties during the Vietnam War as compared to earlier wars.

Since 1973, nurses have served in Grenada, Somalia, Haiti, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
During her remarks, Adams-Ender thanked everyone for their service and mentioned she had served nearly half of the nurse corps’ first century and she was proud of the junior officers serving today. “These officers are bright, articulate and energetic,” she said. “They know what they want to do.” Adams-Enders cautioned they should not burn bridges because they don’t know what challenges lie ahead. She came in the Army for three years that lasted an additional 31 years.

Adams-Ender spoke of the challenges Army nurses encounter. The challenges today are not much different than the challenges she faced during her service. Her service career began as an enlisted Soldier in 1959 and ended as a brigadier general commanding at Fort Belvoir, Va., and deputy commanding general for the Military District of Washington from 1991 to 1993. Another highlight of her career was chief, Army Nurse Corps from 1987 to 1991.

According to Adams-Enders her experiences as a nurse prepared her for successfully commanding Fort Belvoir. “You are taught as a nurse to be attuned to the issues,” she said. During their formal education, nurses are trained in human behavior by taking courses in sociology, psychology, and anthropology. This training prepares them to interact with people successfully. “Their clinical experiences teach them to be proficient in solving everyday health problems,” Adams-Enders said.

“Nursing is a 24 hour business, because sick people have to be cared for throughout the day,” she said. Nurses manage many activities simultaneously that are conducive to learning. They learn during formal supervision; however, much learning takes place on their own because they have to interact with others within the external and internal hospital environment.

“As nurses we have a systematic way of organizing work,” she said. The nursing process includes planning, implementation and evaluation. Today, business uses this process to be successful.

Adams-Ender concluded her speech by telling the audience one learns most during the storm. “Stand tall and hold your head high. Congratulations on the 105th anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps,” she said.

Editor’s Note: Retired Brig. Gen. Adams-Ender is author of “My Rise to the Stars” and president and chief executive officer of Caring about People with Enthusiasm. CAPE specializes in health care management and health care reform, leadership issues and development, cultural diversity, women in the workplace and conflict management and resolution.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	February 9, 2006

	Community celebrates Army Nurse Corps’ anniversary with Beaumont staff Clarence Davis III Brig. Gen. (Army Ret.) Clare L. Adams-Ender speaks to more than 200 spectators at the U.S. Army Nurse Corps celebration of 105 years of service to the nation. She spoke of Qualities Possessed by Nurses. Clarence Davis III WBAMC Public Affairs More than 200 celebrated the 105th anniversary of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps at the Fort Bliss Officers Club Feb. 4. The nursing staff from William Beaumont Army Medical Center presented the program that included a moment of silence for those in harms way, thanks for all who had served, recognition of future nurses in the Army Nurse Corps, cutting of the anniversary cake and a book signing at the end of formal activities. Retired Army Brig. Gen. Clara L. Adams-Ender, R.N., was the guest speaker. Those attending the ceremony included active and retired nurses, WBAMC staff, several members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority local chapter, and friends from the community. During the past 105 years, Army nurses have served the country with pride and distinction. Before the Corps became a formal organization, women attended the sick and wounded during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Despite the pay being low or nonexistent, they served selflessly. In 1898, the beginning of the Spanish American War, women were contracted by the government for $30 a month and one ration. These nurses served admirably and gained respect. Because of their performance, the Nurse Corps Division was established in the Office of the Surgeon General, under the supervision of Dr. Anita Newcomb. Congress was presented a bill on Feb. 2, 1901, to establish a permanent Nurse Corps. However, nurses were not commissioned as officers until 1947. After the Korean War, legislation was passed authorizing men to be commissioned in the Army Nurse Corps. The first male was commissioned in October 1955. Since males and females serve together as commissioned officers and nurses in the Army Nurse Corps. During World War I, nurses served stateside, Europe, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The American Red Cross provided reserve nurses during World War I. Two decades later, during World War II, nurses served with distinction. Further, during World War II, 67 nurses became prisoners of war. From 1963 to 1973, more than 5,000 Army Nurse Corps Officers served in the Republic of South Vietnam. Because of the rapid evacuation, close proximity of Army hospitals, and skill of the caregivers, there was a rapid decline in casualties during the Vietnam War as compared to earlier wars. Since 1973, nurses have served in Grenada, Somalia, Haiti, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. During her remarks, Adams-Ender thanked everyone for their service and mentioned she had served nearly half of the nurse corps’ first century and she was proud of the junior officers serving today. “These officers are bright, articulate and energetic,” she said. “They know what they want to do.” Adams-Enders cautioned they should not burn bridges because they don’t know what challenges lie ahead. She came in the Army for three years that lasted an additional 31 years. Adams-Ender spoke of the challenges Army nurses encounter. The challenges today are not much different than the challenges she faced during her service. Her service career began as an enlisted Soldier in 1959 and ended as a brigadier general commanding at Fort Belvoir, Va., and deputy commanding general for the Military District of Washington from 1991 to 1993. Another highlight of her career was chief, Army Nurse Corps from 1987 to 1991. According to Adams-Enders her experiences as a nurse prepared her for successfully commanding Fort Belvoir. “You are taught as a nurse to be attuned to the issues,” she said. During their formal education, nurses are trained in human behavior by taking courses in sociology, psychology, and anthropology. This training prepares them to interact with people successfully. “Their clinical experiences teach them to be proficient in solving everyday health problems,” Adams-Enders said. “Nursing is a 24 hour business, because sick people have to be cared for throughout the day,” she said. Nurses manage many activities simultaneously that are conducive to learning. They learn during formal supervision; however, much learning takes place on their own because they have to interact with others within the external and internal hospital environment. “As nurses we have a systematic way of organizing work,” she said. The nursing process includes planning, implementation and evaluation. Today, business uses this process to be successful. Adams-Ender concluded her speech by telling the audience one learns most during the storm. “Stand tall and hold your head high. Congratulations on the 105th anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps,” she said. Editor’s Note: Retired Brig. Gen. Adams-Ender is author of “My Rise to the Stars” and president and chief executive officer of Caring about People with Enthusiasm. CAPE specializes in health care management and health care reform, leadership issues and development, cultural diversity, women in the workplace and conflict management and resolution.