Victims of violence and abuse require care from a health professional who is trained to treat the trauma associated with the wrong that has been done to them—be it sexual assault, intimate partner violence, neglect, or other forms of intentional injury, who generally seek care in an emergency department. A trained Forensic Nurse Examiner ideally provides this care. Mary is that forensic nurse.
A 16-year-old patient presented to the ED as a victim of such violence with her mother. The patient was non-English speaking, requiring additional time to obtain a pertinent history through an interpreter, on a difficult topic.
After many hours of care, it was apparent the patient and her mother had nowhere to go. The incident that led them to seek care did not allow them to return to where they called home. As it was quite literally, the middle of the night on a weekend, Mary placed calls to multiple agencies in an attempt to provide housing - which was not providing successful.
It is now after 10 AM, 5 hours past the end of Mary's long 12-hour shift; she is still working to find a place for her patient and mother. She felt a sense of obligation to be sure her patient was going to leave the ED with a safe place to go.
It was apparent at this time CYS was involved as well as a Medical Advocate Social Worker, also her day off, but willing to help. It took several agencies and one very dependable social worker to finally provide a safe place as well as clothes and food for this young girl and her mother.