Clinical and Community Impact of Violent Crime

I selected this event because I wanted to have an increased awareness on how to assist and care for those who have experienced trauma from violent crime. I wanted to take this opportunity to listen to those who have witnessed violent crime as well as learn more about the impact on the communities that these events can have. Through this session I was able to meet United States Attorney for the District of Maine, Darcie McElwee, Assistant United States Attorney Project Safe Neighborhood Coordinator, Jonathan Nathans, and Police Chief, Timothy Longo. Spending the hour listening to experiences and the impact allowed me to think deeper on what my role would be as a nurse.

              Going into a career in nursing may lead to the exposure of witnessing the effects of violent crime. Medical and mental health resources are crucial to have as resources in the community. Educating and creating a program to teach the medical faculty allows for members of the care team to understand what to do and how to manage a violent crime situation if the event were to occur. I have learned about the importance of my role in a lock down setting is to still provide care to the people who need it as well as listening to a patient if they are present to the ER during the aftermath. From this experience I have learned that both prevention and education need to be taken as a team. No one is alone and the ability to bring people back with their families is crucial. The role of a nurse is ongoing, and I believe that this event as well as last week’s session on Forensic nursing have allowed me to think more specifically about personalized patient care. Each patient that will come into the hospital will have different experiences and the care they need changes. Prioritizing what the best nursing action for that patient is going to be different every time.