Nurse Advice Line is up and running Published Oct. 29, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Ariel D. Delgado 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas -- Knowing if and when to seek medical help can be difficult, but not as tough anymore. As of April 2014, the Nurse Advice Line, provided by the Military Health System, is available 24/7 for TRICARE beneficiaries. The NAL is a team of registered nurses who are available to answer a variety of healthcare questions. The NAL can also help determine whether self-care or professional attention is best for the situation. Once connected with a nurse, he or she will ask the caller a series of standard questions to determine the next steps and allow them to provide the best advice possible. The NAL nurse can then either answer your urgent care question, give health care advice, help you find a doctor or schedule next-day appointments at the base clinic. "Everyone knows to dial 9-1-1 when there is a medical emergency, but what if it is not an emergency?" said Lt. Col. Julie Pierce, 47th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "The Nurse Advice Line provides quick access to a healthcare professional for those nonemergency situations." To contact a NAL nurse, call 1-800-874-2273, and for more information, visit http://www.tricare.mil/Home/ContactUs/CallUs/NAL.aspx.