Comfort Nurse talks about his experiences

ENS Jonathan Aukeman, Nurse onboard USNS Comfort:

In March of this year I walked on the USNS Comfort as a member of a group from the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD to begin a four month humanitarian mission to countries in Central and South America. I spoke little Spanish and along with my coworkers had little insight into making the transition from a typical U.S. hospital mindset to the operational mindset needed for 8-10 day missions working on a ship in an open-bay ward.

Most of my time on the mission, I have worked down on the 2 AFT post surgical Ward, caring for patients aboard the ship. Following recovery in the PACU, the large majority of patients are brought down the elevator to 2 AFT. On the unit, staff from a variety of cultures, including Active Duty Navy Nurses and Corpsmen, nurses and assistants from the Church of Latter Day Saints, Canadian Nurses and Medics, Air Force Nurses, United States Navy Reserve Nurses and Corpsmen, Project Hope Nurses, and Army Medics have collaborated to create an optimally performing unit. I think most people would say (or would say they think) providing humanitarian healthcare and services is a great thing to do, likewise, the staff on 2 AFT realizes the uniqueness of the opportunity we have been enabled to provide.

Nursing and providing compassionate service to others is in most circumstances a very rewarding job. Working on the 2 AFT Ward, that has definitely been true. Like most people, I want to know that my work is producing something. To be able to point to something, for example a number of people fed, and say “This was worth it.”

In that spirit, I recognize that today I handed out meals to roughly 70 patients and escorts. Clearly, there is only so much you can do in 8-10 day’s time; however, for surgical patients the difference is beyond doubt.

One of the most humbling experiences for me has been requests for autographs by patients, that we have been able to go talk and interact with patients makes a critical impression. The impression made has been significant to all involved.