Skills, Safety, and Service: Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center Hosts Inaugural Outpatient Nursing Skills Fair
By Lauren Bolanos, Office of Communications
On Jan. 30 and Feb. 2, the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center (SACC) hosted its first-ever Nursing Skills Fair for ambulatory and specialty care nurses.
This innovative event brought together nursing professionals from across the Sepulveda campus, including Outpatient Mental Health and Homeless Primary Care, to strengthen clinical expertise and reinforce best practices in a hands-on, interactive setting.
During the event, nurses rotated through multiple skill stations to review and practice essential clinical skills. This approach ensures competency, promotes collaboration, and keeps pace with evolving standards of care. Each station was led by experienced clinicians who provided guidance and real-time feedback.
“This was the very first Skills Fair held in the ambulatory care setting,” said Jewel Salvador, Clinical Nurse Educator at SACC. “It’s a milestone for our team and a testament to our commitment to continuous learning and patient safety.”
The event wasn’t just about skill-building; it was also about fostering community. Nurses from different specialties came together to share knowledge, learn from one another, and strengthen the collaborative spirit that defines VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS).
Guy Jackson, a VA nurse for almost 40 years and former Air Force medic, led the liquid nitrogen safety station.
“We all have skills we acquire over our career that we don’t get to use often. This helps refresh them,” said Jackson. “And I was surprised by how much they covered in such a short amount of time; it was more useful than I expected.”
Stations included, but not limited to:
- Unna boot application
- Continuous glucose monitoring
- Foley catheter insertion
- Ear lavage
- Liquid nitrogen safety
- Suture and staple removal
- Bladder scan
- EpiPen administration
- Safe patient handling equipment
- Registered nurse (RN) triage
- Infection control, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SQ) injection safety
In addition, educational posters covered topics such as electrocardiogram (EKG) interpretation and nursing triage, while the Infection Prevention Team provided valuable insights on maintaining safety and reducing risk.
“As a Veteran, if I’m going to go to a VA clinic, I want somebody that is going to take care of me, that knows their skills and [is] knowledgeable in their practice,” said John Yap, Assistant Nurse Manager at SACC and Navy Veteran. “As part of the management team, I want to empower our nurses with those skills and confidence in what they do in the clinic.”
The success of this inaugural fair sets the stage for future events at SACC and other outpatient clinics aimed at empowering nurses and enhancing care for Veterans. By investing in education and innovation, VAGLAHS continues to lead the way in delivering high-quality, compassionate health care.