Fear, uncertainty and loss of control can overwhelm a person who has experienced violence. In those moments, compassionate, trauma-informed care in the emergency department is essential.

At UCHealth Parkview in Pueblo, the Forensic Nurse Examiner program is built around what program manager Jenifer Bartell, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, describes as a simple but powerful idea: care for the whole person.

“This is often one of the hardest times in someone’s life,” Bartell said. “We take the time to help them feel comfortable enough to tell us what happened, and to reassure them that we are going to walk through everything step by step. They are not alone. That sense of safety is what allows everything else to happen.”

That philosophy shapes every interaction. Before exams or documentation, the focus is on safety. Patients are brought into a private space, away from the pace of the emergency department. Nurses sit at eye level, introduce themselves and ask permission for each step.

“They may not have had control in a very long time,” Bartell said. “Giving that back to them is incredibly important.”

The program’s work extends beyond clinical care. While the team saw more than 1,300 patients in 2025, Bartell said the numbers reflect more than growth. They reflect trust, with patients coming forward because they know they will be heard and supported.

For many patients, the goal is not evidence collection or legal action, but to feel safe, understand their options and leave with a sense of control. That shift can happen in a single visit.

Bartell recalls patients who initially wanted only minimal care but, given time and space, chose to engage more fully. Even when they decline additional services, many express gratitude for being treated with respect and compassion.

“It’s about making sure they know they matter,” she said.

Beyond the hospital walls, Bartell’s work continues through outreach and advocacy across the community. The FNE team partners with a dozen local agencies, supports prevention efforts and helps connect patients with resources long after they leave the emergency department. The goal is not only to respond in moments of crisis, but to build pathways to safety, support and healing.

 

The visual companion to our 2026 Nursing Year in Review showcases the print edition’s visual storytelling with connections to all of the articles.