Every year, BCEN recognizes one Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to trauma nursing.

Janie Schumaker, BCEN Executive Director, said: “Whether she is delivering life-saving trauma care and stabilization for US and Allied forces while on deployment, encouraging her peers to advance themselves and their trauma nursing practice through certification, or teaching weekly classes on trauma topics to over 100 special operations medics and paramedics, Lt Pruett’s dedication to trauma care excellence is remarkable.”

Pruett earned the TCRN credential and a BCEN specialty certifications in flight nursing and pediatric emergency nursing in the same year. She also designed a mentorship program that has increased the TCRN certification rate in the 60th Medical Group by 200 per cent.

“Becoming a Trauma Certified Registered Nurse has been a goal of mine since I first stepped foot into an emergency department,” said Pruett. “Earning this award shows how far I have come in my career, from a new nurse hungry to learn, to a skilled nurse running trauma bays, taking care of in-flight trauma, and advocating for my colleagues to earn their own certifications. It is an honor to receive BCEN’s Distinguished TCRN Award.”