Making education a priority at vapihcs | va pacific islands health care | veterans affairs

VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) Lead Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and Primary Care Nurse Residency Program Director, Hollie Seward, is passionate about what she

does. She is also the chair of the APRN Council at VAPIHCS and has been recently selected to be on the VA’s Office of Nursing Service (ONS) National APRN Council. Directing the Primary Care

Nurse Residency Program, she has found herself developing curriculum and mentoring preceptors for the new nurse practitioner residency program, which is in its first cohort. “ It has been so

rewarding. Teaching residents and sharing information with the Council are things I believe in because I think education and advancing nursing practice are important.” Seward is a Navy

Veteran; her husband retired after 28 years of service from the Marine Corps. While traveling with him, she taught English in Yokota, Japan. It was one of her favorite places to be

stationed. Teaching and sharing cultures and knowledge have been recurring themes in Seward’s life, making her a natural fit to help educate the nurses of tomorrow at VAPIHCS. “We have

already selected the nurses for the second cohort, and I’m excited to have them start in September,” Seward said. “We will make a few changes because I think we learned a lot with the first

cohort going through, and we’ll take what we learned and make the program even better.”  Seward was born and raised in New Orleans, and she says that she is grateful to have settled in

Hawaii because the cultures are similar. In New Orleans, they speak Creole – a blend of English, French, and other influences similar to island pigeon. They also value food, family, and

heritage. She says island culture feels familiar to her because of the similar values. Though the military brought her to Hawaii, she loves where she lives and is grateful for the kindness

she’s felt while living here. “We loved Hawaii the first time we were stationed here, and we said if we ever came back, we would stay,” Seward said. “We were here for the first time in 2005,

and when he got a promotion and an assignment back to Hawaii in 2009, we bought a house and decided to stay.” Seward has worked in many nursing positions, from labor and delivery (L&D)

to the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU). She earned an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) degree from Duke University in 2016. Currently, she is working on a Doctor of

Nursing Practice (DNP) in Leadership and Systems Management at Hawaii Pacific University and will complete her degree in May 2026. Her wide range of experience in and out of federal service

and in different areas of nursing makes it easy for her to identify what information is most important to share as a preceptor in the nurse practitioner residency program and the APRN

Council. “It’s not just my experience and education that have helped me succeed,” Seward said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of Kat Pope and Dr. Ricardo-Dukelow. Having

mentors to guide me has made me better, so it’s natural for me to share what I’ve learned and guide others because I have been lucky enough to have good people helping me.” Seward worked in

the community for many years before applying to the VA. She felt like she was making a difference and helping people, but she missed the military and the feeling of belonging there. Joining

the VA, she says, feels like being back at home because other Veterans are so easy for her to relate to. She says she’d been very grateful to return to Federal service. “I am honored to be

here,” Seward said. “I recognize what our Veterans have been through, and I know they have earned the highest level of care we can provide. I want to give that high care level and teach

others to do the same.”  Seward feels the APRNs she works with are as devoted as she is. They all believe in the VA’s mission and are grateful for the opportunity to serve. Being around good

people makes it easier for her to do her job well, and she is excited about all the possibilities the future holds.