Think I nearly gave a prisoner war flash backs

M,28, prison nurse.

The tympanic thermometer stopped working and I wanted to roughly gauge if one of the guys had a temperature, so I went to feel his forehead with the back of my hand, and the way he DODGED out of the way of my hand so fast. I immediately ‘sorry bro, just want to see if you were running a fever’ and all was forgiven.

Poor guys, I always hope that any consultations in the quiet nursing office offer a brief respite of calmness for them cause they get to leave the busy hall… sad to see that he, and possibly a lot of other prisoners, have their guards up at ALL times, even around healthcare staff. I just wanna say I’m here to help you! Sorry if I’m scary :(

This taught me to not subconsciously assume that a prisoner-patient is as calm as I am, and to act accordingly.