My recent experience with my Christmas 2003 accident has also left me with very mixed feelings about nurses too. I was always very weary about doctors, their decisions and their intentions, but I always felt that nurses were on our side and always looked out for the patients. Sometimes as I lay on my back I’d get pains, just from being in the same position for a while. The doctor said that if I was assisted, I could lay on my side for a while, provided it did not cause pain in my herniated areas, and only for a short while. So I’d ask the nurses, just to help me do it, and they would say “Sure, in just a second,” and would come back an hour later to do it.
Or how about this passion play:
[NURSE walks in and leaves two pills with a glass of water]
PATIENT
Excuse me, Nurse?
[She does not react immediately]
PATIENT
Nurse?
[Turns around, gives a smile which is supposed to be comforting, ends up being belittling; she remains silent and waits]
PATIENT
Nurse, the last pills I was given were a red one and a blue one. Now I have a red one and yellow one.
NURSE
That’s fine.
PATIENT
Am I getting the same medication? Because this yellow pill is the first time I take it.
NURSE
It’s the same thing.
PATIENT
Are you sure? Is it the correct dosage?
NURSE
It’s what you got before.
PATIENT
No, it’s not, it’s a red pill and a blue one. This is yellow.
NURSE
It’s what you’ve been getting.
PATIENT
Could you just go and check for me, please?
NURSE
It’s the same pill.
PATIENT
BLUE AND YELLOW HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON EXCEPT THE FACT THEY’RE PRIMARY COLOURS! COULD YOU CHECK FOR ME PLEASE?
There.