Lou Davis is an Emergency Nurse and Clinical Nurse Educator.
As a child, my friends and I would play ‘opposites’, a game in which you had to do, or say, something opposite to what you were actually doing.
Looking after individuals who have committed terrible acts is rather like that. The care I give is, to all intents and purposes, exactly the same as I would give to anyone else. I would be as attentive, my standards are as high, I am as diligent in giving pain relief or in ensuring that the wounds I am suturing are done in exactly the same way.
Outwardly then, there is no difference. None at all. You could stand by my side and be able to tell no difference.
Inwardly is rather different.
Over the years, I have treated murderers, rapists, paedophiles. I have carried on working whilst some of these patients have made comments, been rude or abusive.
I know that my standards have never been compromised.

Top Comments
Interesting read. I have a cousin who is a nurse and I've asked her about how some cases don't get to her, the answer is to try and retain emotional distance. This is not to say this isn't difficult at times but it's necessary to do the job well. I think the writers workmate had it right- you care for them not about them. Any caring profession needs to do this.
Don't forget the other staff, like therapy staff for example, where there might be more talking or physical contact.