I am honored to nominate Alex Baker for her exceptional dedication, advocacy, and compassionate care demonstrated while working in the Arnett emergency department. Alex's actions on this day exemplify the highest standards of nursing and patient care. While serving as the triage nurse, Alex encountered a visibly distraught individual who had been a victim of multiple violent crimes over several days. Despite there being no forensic nurse on call, Alex took immediate action to ensure this vulnerable patient received the necessary care. She coordinated with the ED charge nurse to hand off her assignment, allowing her to focus entirely on the patient's needs with her expertise as a forensic nurse within the Center of Hope. 
Recognizing the patient's psychological distress, Alex prioritized their mental health, ensuring they received medical clearance and were eventually accepted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. It was determined that this patient was too tired to complete the examination and specimen collection required for this crime due to the lack of sleep over the last three days. The decision was made to allow the patient to sleep, and resume care the following morning. Knowing the time-sensitive nature of the forensic examination, Alex worked tirelessly to secure the patient's psychiatric bed until the following day, a significant achievement given the scarcity of psychiatric beds in today’s day.
Alex's commitment did not end there. She diligently collected as much information as she could to report the violent crimes to the appropriate jurisdiction, navigating the complexities of 22 police districts with the help of a colleague familiar with the area. This even involved going street by street on Google Maps to locate the location of the crime due to the vague descriptions that the patient could remember from the traumatic events. Her determination ensured that the crimes were accurately reported and that justice could be pursued. On her day off, Alex returned the next day to complete the forensic examination, collaborate with the Lafayette Police Department on reporting to the appropriate jurisdiction, and provide a safe handoff to the inpatient psychiatric unit where the patient was transferred. Before the patient was transferred, Alex worked with the pharmacy to ensure the patient received medications to prevent long-term consequences as the patient’s insurance had expired the day before she sought treatment. They worked to find a replacement that would be given to the patient for no out-of-pocket costs. Alex Baker’s dedication and compassion left a lasting impact on the patient, who later called the emergency department to express their gratitude and wish Alex a happy holiday. Her unwavering commitment to her patients, her exceptional problem-solving skills, and her compassionate care make her a deserving candidate for this recognition. She truly embodies the spirit of nursing excellence and patient advocacy.