The Kindly Nurse and the Evil Surgeon: A Modern Fairytale

Once upon a time there was a kindly nurse who worked on a very busy medical floor. This kindly nurse was no dummy you see. He was the nurse that coworkers sought for advice. He was the one that nurses came to when they didn’t feel good about their patients and wanted a second opinion. He was the nurse that was given the sickest, most critical patients on his floor.

On this very busy medical floor there was also an evil surgeon. The name of this surgeon struck fear into the hearts of many a young, inexperienced nurse. You had to be on your toes if you were to care for one of the evil surgeon’s patients. It was common practice on the busy medical floor to not allow new nurse to care for the evil surgeon’s patients. The kindly nurse however was caring for the evil surgeon’s patients three months into his nursing experience.

One particular evening the kindly nurse was asked to care for one of the evil surgeon’s patients. This patient was quite displeased with her care up to that point and it was up to the kindly nurse to make things better. The kindly nurse spent much time that night caring for the displeased patient. He treated her pain, turned her in bed, monitored her vital signs…all the things a good, kindly nurse should do. By morning the displeased patient had become a pleased patient and thanked the kindly nurse.

When the evil surgeon visited that morning he spoke with the pleased patient and became angry. He heard of the poor care she had received prior to the kindly nurse, and immediately berated the kindly nurse and caused quite a scene at the nurses station. Not being one to take verbal abuse, the kindly nurse told the evil surgeon he was misinformed. The kindly nurse stated that he had provided excellent care and that he couldn’t be held responsible for what occurred during a previous shift. He told the evil surgeon that he didn’t appreciate being spoken to in that manner. All the other nurses congratulated the kindly nurse for standing up to the evil surgeon.

From that point forward, the evil surgeon never again berated the kindly nurse. He always showed the kindly nurse respect and never again questioned the care that the kindly nurse provided.

And that dear children, is the story of how the kindly nurse tamed the evil surgeon.