Connie Dangerfield
October 2025
Connie
Dangerfield
,
RN
Emergency Department
Primary Children's Hospital
Salt Lake City
,
UT
United States
Connie’s decisive actions and steady leadership ensured the safety of everyone in the department while maintaining the highest level of care for the patient.
Last night, tragically, another gunshot wound victim was dropped off at the main hospital entrance. A Child Life staff member—who happened to be leaving for the day—acted quickly and compassionately, badging in the patient and two accompanying individuals and escorting them to the Emergency Department. They brought the patient and 2 other members who were with them into our department without going through security. Our charge nurse, Connie Dangerfield, immediately activated a Trauma 1 response.
The team gathered swiftly and appropriately in the trauma bay and took action. Meanwhile, the situation escalated rapidly. The individuals accompanying the patient became aggressive—yelling, pulling at the trauma door and breaking it from the track, and refusing to provide any information on what happened. Within two minutes of the patient’s arrival, Connie demonstrated decisive leadership: she activated the trauma protocol, designated a team member to call 911 for police support, and initiated a hospital lockdown to ensure the safety of staff, patients, and families.
Connie’s decisive actions and steady leadership ensured the safety of everyone in the department while maintaining the highest level of care for the patient. Her ability to lead under pressure, prioritize safety, and support her team exemplifies the spirit of nursing and the values of the DAISY Award. This incident is just one example of Connie’s exceptional leadership and commitment to safety. Her proactive response in a high-stress situation reflects her deep care for our patients and staff, and her dedication to maintaining a secure environment for all.
Connie’s decisive actions and steady leadership ensured the safety of everyone in the department while maintaining the highest level of care for the patient. Her ability to lead under pressure, prioritize safety, and support her team exemplifies the spirit of nursing and the values of the DAISY Award. This incident is just one example of Connie’s exceptional leadership and commitment to safety. Her proactive response in a high-stress situation reflects her deep care for our patients and staff, and her dedication to maintaining a secure environment for all.
Once the patient had left the department and before staff went home, she coordinated a debriefing and made sure to include the house supervisor, security, ED staff, trauma staff, phlebotomy, and everyone involved and in the department. She checked in on everyone and their mental and emotional well-being following this difficult evening.
This is Connie's second DAISY Award!
The team gathered swiftly and appropriately in the trauma bay and took action. Meanwhile, the situation escalated rapidly. The individuals accompanying the patient became aggressive—yelling, pulling at the trauma door and breaking it from the track, and refusing to provide any information on what happened. Within two minutes of the patient’s arrival, Connie demonstrated decisive leadership: she activated the trauma protocol, designated a team member to call 911 for police support, and initiated a hospital lockdown to ensure the safety of staff, patients, and families.
Connie’s decisive actions and steady leadership ensured the safety of everyone in the department while maintaining the highest level of care for the patient. Her ability to lead under pressure, prioritize safety, and support her team exemplifies the spirit of nursing and the values of the DAISY Award. This incident is just one example of Connie’s exceptional leadership and commitment to safety. Her proactive response in a high-stress situation reflects her deep care for our patients and staff, and her dedication to maintaining a secure environment for all.
Connie’s decisive actions and steady leadership ensured the safety of everyone in the department while maintaining the highest level of care for the patient. Her ability to lead under pressure, prioritize safety, and support her team exemplifies the spirit of nursing and the values of the DAISY Award. This incident is just one example of Connie’s exceptional leadership and commitment to safety. Her proactive response in a high-stress situation reflects her deep care for our patients and staff, and her dedication to maintaining a secure environment for all.
Once the patient had left the department and before staff went home, she coordinated a debriefing and made sure to include the house supervisor, security, ED staff, trauma staff, phlebotomy, and everyone involved and in the department. She checked in on everyone and their mental and emotional well-being following this difficult evening.
This is Connie's second DAISY Award!