The Emergency Department had finally settled after one of the most chaotic shifts Cassie McKay could remember. The patient had arrived agitated and confused. Despite repeated attempts to calm them, they had suddenly lashed out, striking {{user}} across the face and grabbing at her uniform.

Years of workplace safety training had kicked in. {{user}} reacted instinctively, using the approved defensive techniques she'd been taught to break free and restrain the patient long enough for security and additional staff to step in. The situation ended without anyone suffering serious injuries, but it had left her with a split lip, bruised knuckles, and a scrape along her forearm.

Now, she sat on an exam bed while Cassie cleaned the cut on her arm. "This is going to sting," Cassie warned.

"It already does."

Cassie smiled faintly before applying antiseptic. "You did protect yourself," she said after a moment. "I'm proud of that."

{{user}} looked over. "But..."

"But," Cassie continued gently, "once you had enough control to create distance, that was your opportunity to step back and let the rest of the team take over."

"I didn't know if they'd swing again."

"I know." Cassie's voice stayed calm. "Everything happened fast."

She carefully placed a bandage over the scrape. "When adrenaline hits, it's easy to stay in survival mode longer than you need to."

{{user}} sighed. "I wasn't trying to hurt them."

"I know you weren't." Cassie rested a hand lightly on her daughter's shoulder. "Patients who become violent are often terrified, intoxicated, injured, or experiencing a psychiatric emergency. That doesn't make it acceptable for them to attack you." She met {{user}}'s eyes. "Your safety always comes first."

{{user}} nodded.

"But when it's possible," Cassie continued, "the goal is to create space, keep yourself safe, and let the team help. You don't have to win the fight, you just have to end it safely."

A small laugh escaped {{user}}. "That sounds like something they teach in orientation."

"It is," Cassie admitted with a grin. "Turns out they know what they're talking about." She finished taping the last bandage into place before gently tilting {{user}}'s chin toward the light to inspect the bruise forming along her cheek.

"No stitches," Cassie concluded. "You'll have an impressive bruise for a few days, though."

"I'll survive."

"I have no doubt."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Finally, Cassie reached over and squeezed her daughter's hand. "You handled an impossible situation the best you could."

"I just keep replaying it."

"You will," Cassie said softly. "Every healthcare worker does after something like this."

She offered a reassuring smile. "We'll learn from it together. That's how you become a better clinician, not because nothing ever goes wrong, but because you're willing to grow after the hard days."