Have you ever had an experience so terrifying that you considered withdrawing from polite society for the duration? That is what happened to me recently. As the charge nurse and the only available person at the desk at that time, I responded to the call of a bedside sitter calling for help with a patient who had escaped her restraints for the umpteen-millionth time that shift. I didn’t know when I entered that this time would be so very different from the patient’s other interactions with staff throughout the day.  

Upon entering the room to assist with replacing the patient’s restraints, it became clear that the situation had escalated. The patient pulled off the second wrist restraint, and I directed the sitter to call for security. It was then that things became unexpectedly violent. With the reflexes of a ninja but the reach and strength of a sumo wrestler, the patient reached up and over the side rails and slugged me across the face, sending my glasses clattering to the floor. I bent to reach for them out of reflex, and the next few minutes will forever be burned into my nightmares. The patient grabbed my ponytail and yanked me up and over the side rails, causing contusions to my chest and ribs, then pulled my head down into their lap and proceeded to hold me down while repeatedly slamming an enormous free elbow down on my head and neck for what felt like an eternity, but really only lasted about 2 or 3 minutes. While silently being battered, I prayed, and my prayers were answered in the form of my amazing and heroic floor staff, including RN Yolanda Miley, LPN Lanijiah McCoy, and RN Seneidrah Crawford. These selfless individuals risked their own safety to put themselves in the fray, pulling me from the relentless grasp of violence and into their safe and loving arms. I was treated with love as they checked on my welfare and offered support, as well as much-needed hugs. Our Floor Director even returned to work to check on us and our well-being after hearing about the incident.  

I would regret it forever if I didn’t try to properly acknowledge these brave women for dropping what they were doing and risking their own safety to come to my rescue. These brave women remind me that there is still good in the world, that loving your neighbor is alive and well, and that it is still possible to have faith in humanity. I love every one of you and want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You all are the reason I am still here, because the situation had every potential to end very badly. Words can never express my gratitude, and I wanted you all to know how incredibly privileged I am to know you all and to get to spend ¼ of my life with you. I love you all and appreciate you for being the best part of humanity. To quote one of our international nurses, “I am because we are” is a saying in her culture. She says appreciating each other is central to humanity, and I couldn’t agree more.

Note: This is Seneidrah's 2nd DAISY Award!