June 03, 2025

This Nurse Survived Domestic Violence—Now She’s Changing How Hospitals Help Victims (With Leah Helmbrecht, Tamara Sawyers and Nadirah Burgess)

27 minutes

Disclaimer: This episode contains a discussion on domestic violence, which can also be known as intimate partner violence or narcissistic abuse, attempted homicide and gun violence. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of Nurse Converse, Forensic Nurse Examiner Leah Helmbrecht is joined by Tamara Sawyers, a Clinical Nurse Educator and survivor of domestic violence, and Nadirah Burgess, Trauma Program Manager at Northside Hospital. Tamara bravely shares her personal story of surviving a near-fatal domestic violence incident and how that experience now shapes her work in trauma care. The conversation explores how personal and professional roles intersect in supporting survivors, and Northside Hospital's partnership with the Trauma Survivors Network to provide long-term recovery support. Together, they highlight the power of empathy, survivor-informed care, and community connection in helping trauma patients heal and rebuild their lives.

>>This Nurse Survived Domestic Violence—Now She’s Changing How Hospitals Help Victims

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence relationship, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text the word START to 88788.

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:01:08] Domestic violence survivor's advocacy.
[00:05:51] Empathy in trauma nursing.
[00:10:18] Trauma team structure and roles.
[00:14:16] Supporting trauma survivors post-hospital.
[00:19:35] Speak up about abuse.
[00:22:06] Trauma Survivor Network implementation.
[00:25:14] Trauma survivor network support.

Connect With Leah on social media:
Instagram: offtheclocknurse
TikTok: offtheclocknurse
FB: Off The Clock Nurse Travels

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