Dan showed amazing compassion, and ability to connect with a patient through therapeutic communication when dealing with a domestic violence situation. Dan was called into a patient's room, with no advance knowledge of the patient's concern. When Dan walked into the room, the patient confided in him that she was afraid of her significant other and that her significant other had access to a weapon that might be in the room. Dan immediately notified the charge nurse, and, as we were discussing the issue, the significant other came back on the unit. Dan then returned to the patient's room with the patient and her significant other. He then devised a reason to get the patient out of the room safely, while the charge nurse summoned appropriate staff. Due to Dan's quick thinking, Public Safety was able to interview the patient away from her significant other, and they were able to secure the weapon and remove the significant other from the campus. After the immediate safety issue was resolved, Dan was able to calm the patient down and provide her with appropriate support and treatment.
The day after the event, the patient commented, "I knew Dan would be able to help me. The two days he was my nurse, I could tell that he would be able to get me help." She also stated, "Dan gave me the strength to say something." The emotional connection defines nursing as much as the physical care we provide. Dan exemplified these traits with his ability to emotionally support the patient, as well as the quick, smart thinking he provided in a high-risk situation to get the patient safely removed from the situation.