From a Promise to an Oath: Nurse's Air Force Swearing-In a Testament to Service

Here at Cook Children’s, we’re all about service. We give ourselves to the community, to children in need and to something greater than ourselves. Last week, Cook Children’s had the honor to witness a unique reminder of that call to serve.

Crystal Prince, RN, is from Mesquite and has been a nurse with Cook Children’s since 2006. On April 4, she swore an oath to take that nursing expertise to the U.S. Air Force. And she did it surrounded by her Cook Children’s family underneath the blue peaks.

Crystal first thought about joining the Air Force after college but decided on nursing instead. She started working at Cook Children’s in 2006 and moved to a position at Cook Children's - Prosper in 2023. Her supervisor, Prosper’s Director of Nursing and Patient Care Stefanie Tanner, described Crystal as “even keeled” and “the calm in the storm.”

While at Prosper, Crystal met Shalay Stancle, RN. Shalay has worked at Cook Children’s for 14 years but is also a critical care nurse and lieutenant in the Air Force. She has been deployed twice and worked on the Ground Service Team, which helps treat injured troops on the ground.

Crystal was able to ask Shalay all her questions about enlisting, and soon their other coworkers started to show Crystal support as well to go after her long-held dream.

When Crystal decided to at last fulfill her Air Force calling, it was only fitting that Shalay should sponsor her and be the one to swear her in. Crystal decided she wanted the swearing in ceremony, which often happens at a recruitment office, to take place at Cook Children.

Crystal was nervous as people began to take their seats in the Medical Center atrium. She said later that more people than she thought would be there; not only her friends, family (including her two sons) and coworkers attended, but at least a dozen members of Cook Children’s Veteran’s Group joined to show their support.

Sherry Foster, an Executive Assistant in the Strategic Marketing and Communications Department, served in the Coast Guard for four years. Sherry is the chair of Cook Children’s Veterans Group and said being able to share and witness the event with Crystal was an honor.

“For Crystal to want to share this with her Cook Children’s family just means so much for me; not only as an employee but also as a veteran,” Sherry said.

Stan Davis, President of Cook Children’s Medical Center, gave opening remarks, commending Crystal on her service to Cook Children’s and for her future service in the Air Force. Mr. Davis served in the Air Force for 21 years.

“Here at Cook Children’s, we have a promise,” Mr. Davis said. “This oath is similar to our promise at an elevated level. It talks about committing to defending our country and being on the front lines -- no matter what.”

Jennifer Hayes, MDiv, BCC, Director of Pastoral Care, led the group in a prayer, and the official swearing in began.

Shalay recited the declaration of “true faith and allegiance” to the United States and its people, and Crystal repeated the words back. Shalay said it was difficult to hold back tears during the ceremony. She was reminded of her own journey in the Air Force, and she felt honored to be able to swear in another woman into the service.

“As women, we carry a lot on our shoulders. You have to have a lot of grace, you’re taken away from your little ones, your family. You have to put your superwoman suit on. And as a woman, you go through the trying times when you're deployed in a predominantly male field,” Shalay said. “And myself, I've experienced that. And without the grace of God, I wouldn't be here.”

Afterwards, Crystal thanked everyone who attended, especially her family and children. Her two boys, 14 and 16 years old, watched their mom from the front row.

“It feels truly fitting to hold this ceremony here at work, where my colleagues and management have been here for me every step of the way during my journey,” Crystal said.

Crystal said the ceremony “felt like a family of people telling me good luck and congratulations.”

On Monday, Crystal began her eight weeks of officer training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. After that, she will head to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, where her family will join her.

“I want to be a role model for my kids and show them they can do anything, at any age, at any time,” Crystal said. “They just have to work hard for it.”

We wish Crystal the best of luck and thank her for her service to Cook Children's and our country.