Shanta Manning
July 2025
Shanta
Manning
,
BSN, RN
Labor and Delivery
Womack Army Medical Center
Fort Bragg
,
NC
United States
She went far beyond her assigned duties to establish trust, ensure safety, and facilitate timely, compassionate care for a patient in crisis.
While working as a Labor and Delivery floor nurse, Shanta happened to answer a phone call ringing at the charge desk. On the other end of the line was a postpartum patient who had delivered several weeks prior. The patient shared that she did not know where else to call and described feeling overwhelmed, guilty, exhausted, and worried about postpartum depression.
At that moment, Shanta could have simply taken a message, forwarded the concern to a provider, or instructed the patient to go to the emergency room. Instead, she went above and beyond, responding with the level of kindness and empathy that is characteristic of her care. Shanta conducted a safety assessment over the phone and determined that the patient would benefit from further evaluation and treatment at that time.
She offered to stay on the line with the patient and gently encouraged her to come to the emergency room for additional support. This was the patient’s first time being separated from her infant, and she expressed concern about seeking care due to exclusively breastfeeding and worries about maintaining her milk supply. Shanta reassured the patient that lactation supplies and milk storage could be coordinated and emphasized the importance of addressing her mental health, empowering her to seek care.
When the patient arrived at the emergency department, Shanta met her in the waiting room and assisted her with check-in. She collaborated with the emergency department team to arrange access to a breast pump and personally brought additional supplies, including a handheld pump, to the unit.
The patient ultimately completed an evaluation with a provider, established an outpatient care plan and safety plan, and was connected with ongoing mental health care. Patients in situations like this can easily slip through the cracks of forwarded phone calls and delayed follow-ups. Until that moment, this patient had not felt comfortable disclosing her mental health concerns to a provider.
Shanta recognized the patient’s vulnerability and acute need. She went far beyond her assigned duties to establish trust, ensure safety, and facilitate timely, compassionate care for a patient in crisis.
At that moment, Shanta could have simply taken a message, forwarded the concern to a provider, or instructed the patient to go to the emergency room. Instead, she went above and beyond, responding with the level of kindness and empathy that is characteristic of her care. Shanta conducted a safety assessment over the phone and determined that the patient would benefit from further evaluation and treatment at that time.
She offered to stay on the line with the patient and gently encouraged her to come to the emergency room for additional support. This was the patient’s first time being separated from her infant, and she expressed concern about seeking care due to exclusively breastfeeding and worries about maintaining her milk supply. Shanta reassured the patient that lactation supplies and milk storage could be coordinated and emphasized the importance of addressing her mental health, empowering her to seek care.
When the patient arrived at the emergency department, Shanta met her in the waiting room and assisted her with check-in. She collaborated with the emergency department team to arrange access to a breast pump and personally brought additional supplies, including a handheld pump, to the unit.
The patient ultimately completed an evaluation with a provider, established an outpatient care plan and safety plan, and was connected with ongoing mental health care. Patients in situations like this can easily slip through the cracks of forwarded phone calls and delayed follow-ups. Until that moment, this patient had not felt comfortable disclosing her mental health concerns to a provider.
Shanta recognized the patient’s vulnerability and acute need. She went far beyond her assigned duties to establish trust, ensure safety, and facilitate timely, compassionate care for a patient in crisis.