Nurses and Nursing

NAKED ON EAST 26th STREET The Registered Nurse stood in the doorway of the Hunter Bellevue School of Nursing, located on East 26th Street in New York City. Across the street was the entrance to the Emergency Room of Bellevue Hospital. This hospital was one of the city hospitals that was an important institution that offered hospitalization and outpatient services to those who needed medical assistance and treatment. Part of the hospital’s mission was “to serve the disadvantaged, underprivileged, and fragile members of the community.” As the nurse paused on the steps of the school. She saw a group of 8 policemen who had surrounded a completely naked man who was dishevelled, dirty, and undernourished. The police officers were careful to not touch or be touched by this fellow as they guided him towards the emergency room of the hospital. The group entered the ER with the assumed idea to get this man help with his needs and get him off of the street. Shortly thereafter, the ER doors flew open and the old man burst through them and down to the East 26th Street sidewalk. He ran with a galloping gait, quite fast for an old person who was running on the hard concrete sidewalk, wearing no shoes. His arms were flapping, and legs were pumping in an effort to be free. He was followed by the group of policemen who pursued him using moderate speed as they again tried to capture him. The old man reached the corner and turned onto First Avenue. With its heavy automotive traffic and many people walking on the sidewalk, one would think all traffic would stop as people realized that the old man was completely naked. Instead, people gave the runner some space, and there were no other reactions. The policemen continued their “not so close” pursuit, but when they turned the corner onto 1st Avenue, the old man was no longer in sight. They looked about to see where he might be hiding, but they saw nothing unusual. They returned to their police duties in or near Bellevue Hospital. The unusual sight of an old naked man running away ought to perhaps stop traffic, but it did not invoke responses from the public.The police seemed to to limit their efforts to arrest the man. Instead, they had been trying to bring him to the hospital center where there were resources to help those in need This story does not have a decisive ending. Possibly, the man found refuge in a nearby men’s shelter or other community-based service that offered help to those in need. If he would accept help, he had immediate needs for food, clothing, and shelter.