Alice’s shift had ended, and she was leaving work for the day at 3:30 PM. As she was walking across the parking lot to her car, she noticed a car door open. There was a Veteran with his head tilted downward. She immediately observed the Veteran for any possible movement, and when she didn’t observe any, she approached his vehicle.

Alice attempted to rouse the Veteran verbally without success. She then cautiously approached the Veteran, touching his shoulder and arm, but the Veteran was unarousable. Alice noticed the Veteran's name on his armband and immediately started yelling out his name. After numerous attempts, Alice was able to wake the Veteran.

She remained with the Veteran, stopping passing by co-workers and an off-duty officer. The officer immediately phoned in the emergency. During this time, the Veteran had become more alert, and verbal, “I’m okay. It’s my sleep apnea acting up,” said the Veteran. The Veteran then started refusing to be evaluated and was attempting to drive home to Chattanooga.

Alice, with compassion and love, encouraged the Veteran to be evaluated in Urgent Care, which the Veteran finally agreed to. The officers contacted Urgent Care and transported the Veteran to be evaluated. The Veteran had been sitting in his hot car with the windows down and a drained car battery. He had a Urology appointment that day and had checked out for that appointment at 11:11 am. The Veteran had been in his hot car for hours with no food, water, or air. Even though Alice was rushing home, she saw something, and she did something. This is the kind of nurse Alice is always. She puts the Veterans first!