Chrissie Boatman named July Nurse of the Month

Chrissie Boatman has been named Nurse of the Month for July as part of a program sponsored by The Shawnee News-Star and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.Boatman is the RN SANE Program Administrator for the Child Advocacy Center of Central Oklahoma in Shawnee and a Pediatric/Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Emergency Department Registered Nurse at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee.She has been a nurse for nearly 10 years, working in emergency medicine while also specializing as a Pediatric and Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). "While I still love the ER, I am loving my newer role that allows me to care for children who have experienced abuse while providing trauma-informed medical care and forensic documentation," she said.Her career is perfect blend of science and helping others."I've always been drawn to both science and helping people, and nursing gave me the opportunity to combine those two passions into one career," she said. "I wanted to care for people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives—to bring not only medical knowledge, but also compassion, reassurance, and hope when they needed it most."During nursing school, she said one of her instructors was a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). "Before then, I had never heard of forensic nursing, but listening to her speak planted a seed that would eventually become my life's passion. I was also personally affected by seeing someone I love experience childhood sexual abuse," Boatman said. "Witnessing the lifelong impact that trauma can have made me want to be part of changing that story for other children and families. Today, I have the privilege of caring for children during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. My goal is for every child who walks into our exam room to leave knowing they were treated with kindness, dignity, and compassion. While I cannot change what happened to them, I can help ensure they feel safe, heard, and cared for."Boatman is a graduate of Tecumseh High School. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Eastern New Mexico University before later returning to school to earn a nursing degree from Oklahoma City Community College. "One of the things I am most proud of is that I was blessed to spend 16 years as a stay-at-home mom raising our children before beginning nursing school at age 40. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. Those years shaped who I am as both a mother and a nurse. I am incredibly grateful that I was able to devote those years to my family and then begin a second career in what I truly believe is the greatest profession in the world," she said.While caring for children one-on-one will always be one of the greatest privileges of her career, Boatman said she realized that education allows her to multiply that impact by educating healthcare professionals about how to respond when a child discloses abuse. "Every time I teach another nurse, parent, student or healthcare professional how to recognize abuse, respond with compassion, or provide trauma-informed care, I know that the knowledge they gain has the potential to positively impact countless children throughout their career," Boatman said. "Recently, I've had the opportunity to present on topics such as near-fatal strangulation, and it has only strengthened my passion for teaching. While caring for one child at a time will always be my greatest privilege, educating other healthcare professionals allows that compassion and knowledge to reach countless more children than I could ever care for alone. I hope to continue teaching and speaking wherever I have the opportunity."For Boatman, the most rewarding part of nursing is helping people feel safe during some of the hardest moments of their lives."As an emergency nurse, that may mean responding to a life-threatening illness or injury. As a Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, it means caring for children after unimaginable trauma. Some people assume the most important part of a forensic exam is collecting evidence. While that is certainly important, I believe the most meaningful part is helping a child regain a sense of safety and control." she said. "A calm voice, a gentle explanation, and allowing a child to make choices during an exam can be just as important as the medical care itself. One little girl I cared for, who had been abused by a trusted family member for years, quietly looked at me and said, 'I didn't know it was wrong.' Those six words have stayed with me ever since."Boatman said children don't get to choose the adults in their lives. "That's why it's our responsibility as adults to protect them—to teach them what is safe, to listen when they speak, and to stand beside them when someone has betrayed their trust. Every child deserves to know that what happened to them does not define them and that there are adults who will protect them, care for them, and help them begin healing," she added.Boatman is inspired by the incredible people who have dedicated their lives to protecting children. "Every child who enters our program is surrounded by professionals who have chosen careers centered on hope and healing—law enforcement officers, DHS workers, victim advocates, forensic interviewers, prosecutors, counselors, physicians, nurses, and many others" Boatman said. "Watching these professionals work together with one common goal—to protect children, pursue justice, and help children begin healing—is inspiring every single day. Their dedication reminds me that none of us can do this work alone, but together we can make an immeasurable difference in a child's life."Boatman said the first words a child hears after sharing something so difficult can stay with them for a lifetime. "My hope is that every nurse, physician, paramedic, therapist, teacher, and caregiver understands the incredible opportunity they have to help a child feel safe, supported, and heard. Child sexual abuse is an uncomfortable topic, but silence has never protected a child. Education does. Awareness does. Adults who are willing to ask questions, recognize warning signs, and take action do," she said.Boatman said she and her husband have been incredibly blessed with wonderful children and amazing sons- and daughters-in-law who have become cherished members of the family. "Watching them grow into kind, compassionate adults has been one of life's greatest joys. These days, my favorite title is 'Cici' to my grandchildren. If I have a day off, I'm usually finding another excuse to spend it with them. They are a constant reminder of why protecting children matters so much, and they inspire me every day to continue this work," she said. "The greatest privilege of my career isn't simply being a nurse. It's being trusted with people's hardest days. Whether I'm caring for someone in the Emergency Department or walking alongside a child after unimaginable trauma, my hope is always the same—to make even the darkest moments a little easier through compassion, dignity, and care," she said.Do You Know an Amazing Nurse? The Shawnee News-Star wants to give back to those who work in this noble profession. Each month, The Shawnee News-Star, with the support of Citizen Potawatomi Nation, will recognize one local nurse as Nurse of the Month. The honoree receives a front-page story in The News-Star and a $100 Visa Gift Card.From those 12, one nurse will be selected in Spring 2027 as The Shawnee News-Star's Nurse of the Year, an award that comes with a $500 cash prize.