Natalie Ferguson
October 2025
Natalie
Ferguson
,
BSN, RN
House Supervisors
Womack Army Medical Center
Fort Bragg
,
NC
United States
Nursing supervisors do not typically become involved at this level with child protective services. However, Ms. Ferguson went above and beyond to advocate for this vulnerable family.
A mother who was pregnant with twins presented to the Labor & Delivery ward with her two small children, ages 2 and 3, as a victim of domestic violence. She had been pushed on her stomach and required evaluation to rule out placental abruption.
Although Ms. Ferguson was not the nurse assigned to care for this patient, who was a VA-eligible beneficiary, she was unwilling to stop advocating for the patient, her two young children, and her unborn babies. The patient did not have any family locally, and her family was unable to arrive right away.
The mother requested that DSS be notified to take custody of her two children, as she had no one to care for them while she received medical treatment. In response, Ms. Ferguson coordinated with the ACNOIC of Labor & Delivery, the on-call social worker, the nurse caring for the patient, the Section Chief of Maternal Child Health, and the Chief Nursing Supervisor to ensure proper DSS involvement.
Womack policy requires social work involvement before contacting child protective services. While social work became involved at the last minute, Ms. Ferguson had already taken the initiative to engage all necessary leaders and stakeholders to determine appropriate steps in case social work was unavailable. Her proactive approach ensured that guidance was in place to protect the children.
Ms. Ferguson’s intuition led her to believe that the children could be in a dangerous situation, particularly since the mother was openly requesting DSS involvement. DSS did speak with the mother. However, shortly after their involvement, the mother signed out against medical advice and took the children home.
Follow-up with the Labor & Delivery Charge Nurse revealed that family members had arrived from out of town and would be staying with the patient until delivery. At that time, the environment for the mother, children, and unborn babies was determined to be safe.
Nursing supervisors do not typically become involved at this level with child protective services. However, Ms. Ferguson went above and beyond to advocate for this vulnerable family. She ensured that all appropriate team members were informed, collaborated effectively across departments, and worked diligently to involve child protective services.
Her actions demonstrated exceptional commitment to patient advocacy and safety, especially considering that this young mother would soon be caring for four children under the age of three while navigating a relationship involving domestic violence. Ms. Ferguson’s dedication, vigilance, and compassion reflect the highest standards of nursing leadership and advocacy.
Although Ms. Ferguson was not the nurse assigned to care for this patient, who was a VA-eligible beneficiary, she was unwilling to stop advocating for the patient, her two young children, and her unborn babies. The patient did not have any family locally, and her family was unable to arrive right away.
The mother requested that DSS be notified to take custody of her two children, as she had no one to care for them while she received medical treatment. In response, Ms. Ferguson coordinated with the ACNOIC of Labor & Delivery, the on-call social worker, the nurse caring for the patient, the Section Chief of Maternal Child Health, and the Chief Nursing Supervisor to ensure proper DSS involvement.
Womack policy requires social work involvement before contacting child protective services. While social work became involved at the last minute, Ms. Ferguson had already taken the initiative to engage all necessary leaders and stakeholders to determine appropriate steps in case social work was unavailable. Her proactive approach ensured that guidance was in place to protect the children.
Ms. Ferguson’s intuition led her to believe that the children could be in a dangerous situation, particularly since the mother was openly requesting DSS involvement. DSS did speak with the mother. However, shortly after their involvement, the mother signed out against medical advice and took the children home.
Follow-up with the Labor & Delivery Charge Nurse revealed that family members had arrived from out of town and would be staying with the patient until delivery. At that time, the environment for the mother, children, and unborn babies was determined to be safe.
Nursing supervisors do not typically become involved at this level with child protective services. However, Ms. Ferguson went above and beyond to advocate for this vulnerable family. She ensured that all appropriate team members were informed, collaborated effectively across departments, and worked diligently to involve child protective services.
Her actions demonstrated exceptional commitment to patient advocacy and safety, especially considering that this young mother would soon be caring for four children under the age of three while navigating a relationship involving domestic violence. Ms. Ferguson’s dedication, vigilance, and compassion reflect the highest standards of nursing leadership and advocacy.