May 2026
Brent
Carpenter
,
BSN, RN
Emergency Department
Henry Community Health
New Castle
,
IN
United States
Without Brent’s immediate intervention, the prisoner would have gained control of the weapon and used it to shoot his way out of the Emergency Department.
As Director of the Emergency Department, I have to rely on my team to make good decisions, understand and apply our values in their daily work, and care not just for our patients but for one another. Brent has worked as one of our ER Nurses for 5 years. He has proven himself to be a hardworking, skilled, and reliable nurse. Because of the excellent work he has done, he was recently chosen to assume the role of Charge Nurse. Two recent incidents dramatically illustrate why trust and confidence are well placed in Brent.
A prisoner from the jail was being seen in the ED. During his evaluation and treatment, he attacked his police officer escort in an attempt to get the officer’s firearm and escape. Brent recognized what was happening, and without hesitation or regard for his own safety, he and another nurse rushed to the aid of the guard and physically fought the prisoner, keeping him from obtaining the officer's weapon. They were only able to subdue the prisoner when hospital security arrived and assisted them. It is clear that without Brent’s immediate intervention, the prisoner would have gained control of the weapon and used it to shoot his way out of the Emergency Department.
Unfortunately, Brent was involved in a second, very similar incident. A patient was brought in by police for suspected substance abuse. Although his behavior was odd, he was initially not overtly aggressive or threatening. However, during his stay, he became increasingly agitated, unpredictable, and threatening. Despite attempts by staff to de-escalate, the patient’s behaviors deteriorated to the point that physical intervention was required. When our security team struggled to bring the patient under control, once again, Brent did not hesitate to physically intervene, putting himself at risk, assisting hospital security in subduing the patient, who violently and forcefully resisted. Eventually, three security officers, Brent, and two EMS personnel were required to subdue the patient.
As nurses, our history and traditions are deeply rooted in the altruistic concept of selfless service to others. Brent has modeled this concept in a concrete example, not just once, but twice. Putting himself in harm's way to ensure our patients and our teammates remain safe. I am deeply grateful to have him as a member of our team, caring for our patients and for one another. As Director of the HCH Emergency Department, perhaps the greatest compliment I can give to one of my team members is what I say to Brent.
I sleep soundly at night, knowing you are keeping watch over our department.
A prisoner from the jail was being seen in the ED. During his evaluation and treatment, he attacked his police officer escort in an attempt to get the officer’s firearm and escape. Brent recognized what was happening, and without hesitation or regard for his own safety, he and another nurse rushed to the aid of the guard and physically fought the prisoner, keeping him from obtaining the officer's weapon. They were only able to subdue the prisoner when hospital security arrived and assisted them. It is clear that without Brent’s immediate intervention, the prisoner would have gained control of the weapon and used it to shoot his way out of the Emergency Department.
Unfortunately, Brent was involved in a second, very similar incident. A patient was brought in by police for suspected substance abuse. Although his behavior was odd, he was initially not overtly aggressive or threatening. However, during his stay, he became increasingly agitated, unpredictable, and threatening. Despite attempts by staff to de-escalate, the patient’s behaviors deteriorated to the point that physical intervention was required. When our security team struggled to bring the patient under control, once again, Brent did not hesitate to physically intervene, putting himself at risk, assisting hospital security in subduing the patient, who violently and forcefully resisted. Eventually, three security officers, Brent, and two EMS personnel were required to subdue the patient.
As nurses, our history and traditions are deeply rooted in the altruistic concept of selfless service to others. Brent has modeled this concept in a concrete example, not just once, but twice. Putting himself in harm's way to ensure our patients and our teammates remain safe. I am deeply grateful to have him as a member of our team, caring for our patients and for one another. As Director of the HCH Emergency Department, perhaps the greatest compliment I can give to one of my team members is what I say to Brent.
I sleep soundly at night, knowing you are keeping watch over our department.