A patient presented to L&D triage tearful & afraid for her safety. She was in a domestic violence situation without a home, staying with an abusive partner in a car while pregnant. The patient had no family to help support her and truly felt she had nowhere to go. Since she's not from Mecklenburg County, case management was not able to place her but did provide contact info for resources. The patient was medically cleared for discharge; however, the other triage RN and I did not feel good about sending her out with the boyfriend. We contacted our charge nurse, Danna, because we knew her compassion, ability to relate to patients, and resourcefulness would benefit the situation.

Danna came to triage, sat down with the patient, and talked, and then she did what Danna does best. She contacted Safe Alliance and was told every shelter was full. Despite this, she did not take no for an answer. She called probably 10-15 domestic violence/women's shelters until she finally found one that had a single room available. She got that shelter to accept the patient, and they offered to provide the patient with a place she could stay throughout her pregnancy and after delivery. A place that would not only help her escape abuse but help her find resources and employment. After all this, Danna then got the patient a meal and safe transport for the patient to the shelter.

Once the patient knew she had a safe place to go, her entire demeanor changed. She came in, tearful and afraid, but left feeling safe and hopeful for her future. There's no doubt in my mind that Danna saved this patient from further abuse. She also saved the future of an unborn baby from entering the world into an unsafe environment.

Danna is the epitome of compassion, remarkable care, and going the extra mile. She did everything I just described above while being the charge nurse of a very busy unit and balancing those responsibilities, too.