Back to making beds, Mike took me for granted, he didn’t realise what a valuable worker I was. If I didn’t enjoy this job so much I think I would leave this godforsaken hospital once and for all. Shift was nearly over anyway, I would get home, have a mug of hot chocolate and watch a bit of television. The clock shifted and my work for the day had come to an end, I grabbed my coat for the cold bus journey home, no doubt it would be delayed.
Fade to black
The next morning at the hospital
Making more beds, it seemed that there was an endless amount, but they would soon be filled with more self pitying patients. The clock struck 11:30, seemed to be time for my break, I made my way to the canteen but was interrupted by an old male patient that shouted to me on my journey. He said ‘Excuse me Nurse but I do believe that my pills are due now’ as he slouched lazily in his bed, I said ‘Sorry, I’m on my break and I don’t deal with your medication’. I said it politely enough but some patients are far too rude and demanding these days. He threatened to make a complaint; I would have to get his pills to make sure that Mike had no reason to be suspicious of my working standards. I looked at his medication when I got it from the cabinet, usually more would be given to a man his size, maybe a should put a couple more pills in… maybe a few more.
Fade to black
Afternoon at the hospital
Edward Green, his name that is, that I had given the medication to. Time of death 12:17 pm, of course everyone assumed that he had passed away because of his old age and being ill wouldn’t have helped. Only I knew the reason of his unexpected death, I had no remorse for my actions. He shouldn’t have been rude and he was no use to anyone, the hospital could use the bed space anyway. Once again Mike had over reacted to the situation; he paced up and down the hospital wards until he found me. He was obviously looking for someone to take out his anger on. He said ‘Betsy, a word?’ he moved me to his office. ‘Standards are slipping Betty, another patient has died and we cannot carry on this way you must be more hygienic’ Mike said. I nodded but had no intension of changing my personal hygiene.
Fade to black
The next week at the hospital
For once the hospital had spare beds, though I was pleased with this Mike was distraught and refused to stop monitoring all the nurses. Early morning an old female patient called Doris had arrived at the hospital; she had fallen over and banged her head. Not really an injury that needed emergency attending to but it was insisted that she was examined then placed in a bed for rest. After her examination Doris said ‘would you mind fetching me something to help the pain, dear’ I said ‘of course, right away’ though it was said through gritted teeth.
I searched through the drugs cabinet; make it strong, she must be in pain with her head. I added extra pills and couldn’t help but let a smirk come to my face as I did so. I rushed back to Doris and gave her the pain killers; I said ‘take them quickly to stop the pain’. She smiled and took every last pill, her eyelids slid down and her head slumped into the pillow. The smirk returned to my face, I left Doris in her bed where she lay still, the pain had gone away.
The hospital failed inspection; it is still unclear why the death rate is much above average, closure is imminent.