Sheila A Cagle
October 2024
Sheila A
Cagle
,
LPN
Primary Care
W.G. "Bill" Hefner VA Medical Center
Salisbury
,
NC
United States
Her professionalism and ability to manage difficult situations exemplify ICARE values and the importance of patient/staff safety while ensuring that Veterans and families are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
Ms. Cagle was checking in a scheduled Veteran for his appointment when she encountered a terrifying scenario. While she was weighing the Veteran, he asked her to hold his plastic grocery bag of medications. She noted that the bag was heavy. She commented to the Veteran about the bag’s weight and the Veteran stated that he had driven from Asheboro to the appointment and had put his gun in the bag. Ms. Cagle asked the Veteran if the weapon was still in the bag but did not receive an answer. She escorted the Veteran to the exam room and again asked if the gun was in the bag. At this time, the Veteran answered that the loaded gun was in the bag. Ms. Cagle asked the Veteran to calmly put the bag of medications on the counter and have a seat on the opposite side of the room, away from the bag. Ms. Cagle advised the Veteran that she would have to contact the VA Police to report the loaded weapon. She called the VA Police dispatch to report a loaded firearm in the Pilot Mountain Clinic. She then asked the Veteran to sit in the hallway outside the room where the weapon was, and she placed herself between the Veteran and the weapon while waiting for the VA Police Officer to arrive. The Veteran was very apologetic and calm while waiting for the Police Officer to remove the ammunition and safeguard the weapon. He spoke calmly with both Ms. Cagle and the officer while reports were completed.
After the weapon was removed from the clinic, Ms. Cagle continued with the Veteran's appointment check-in and accompanied him during his provider visit...the Veteran received his scheduled care as if the event had never occurred. The Veteran expressed his gratitude to the police officer for Ms. Cagle's professionalism and for allowing him to have his care provided despite the issues with the weapon. Ms. Cagle’s vast PACT experience highlights the importance of retaining high-quality nursing staff in the VA who understand the complexity of our patient population. Her professionalism and ability to manage difficult situations exemplify ICARE values and the importance of patient/staff safety while ensuring that Veterans and families are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
As Ms. Cagle’s supervisor, I am extremely proud of her accomplishments and the care that she provides to our Veterans each day. Her compassion and commitment to care excellence can only be measured in the thanks that she receives from those she serves.
After the weapon was removed from the clinic, Ms. Cagle continued with the Veteran's appointment check-in and accompanied him during his provider visit...the Veteran received his scheduled care as if the event had never occurred. The Veteran expressed his gratitude to the police officer for Ms. Cagle's professionalism and for allowing him to have his care provided despite the issues with the weapon. Ms. Cagle’s vast PACT experience highlights the importance of retaining high-quality nursing staff in the VA who understand the complexity of our patient population. Her professionalism and ability to manage difficult situations exemplify ICARE values and the importance of patient/staff safety while ensuring that Veterans and families are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
As Ms. Cagle’s supervisor, I am extremely proud of her accomplishments and the care that she provides to our Veterans each day. Her compassion and commitment to care excellence can only be measured in the thanks that she receives from those she serves.