Molly M. Murray is a physician assistant.

New York nurses strike for dignity and respect on the frontlines

Policy
January 21, 2023

As a PA, I’ve worked in some of the city’s busiest emergency departments. While they differ in practice styles, patient population, and architecture, they all have one thing in common: the nurses are overworked. As thousands of them go on strike and thousands more threaten to do the same, it should come as no surprise to anyone who has witnessed their plight.

I have seen NYC RNs be spit on and …

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New York nurses strike for dignity and respect on the frontlines

In tragedy, practicing medicine both an honor and a privilege

Physician
February 23, 2018

For the past four years, this is James Beck’s routine: After a morning spent guzzling $5 vodka, he stumbles into a Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot, lying on the cement with his dusty oversized coat splayed open to reveal a cachectic chest. A concerned patron (cigarette and coffee in hand) will call 911 and, in accordance with protocol, an ambulance will deliver him to our emergency room.

Upon his arrival, we unpredictably …

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In tragedy, practicing medicine both an honor and a privilege

Here’s what death really sounds like

Physician
November 6, 2017

7 a.m. began as it always did; the overnight doc was threatening to quit while rubbing her bloodshot eyes and smearing mascara beneath them. Between heavy sighs, she listed the patients transferring into my care ending with Mr. Mandel.

“He’s eighty-something,” she explained, “hospice care. Cancer with metastases. Came in from home because family ran out of morphine and he was in a lot of pain. Anyway, he’s actively dying now, …

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Here’s what death really sounds like