Man: I’m in pain! Nurse, nurse!
Nurse, to herself: Dammit, nigga, I just fucking gave you morphine!
–Albert Einstein Hospital
Man: I’m in pain! Nurse, nurse!
Nurse, to herself: Dammit, nigga, I just fucking gave you morphine!
–Albert Einstein Hospital
Radiology nurse: I have been asked out before. But never while giving a barium enema!
–Radiology Medical Office, Brooklyn
Overheard by: Paper
Doctor on cell: I have to get oriented as to the location of those cadavers!
–3rd Ave, Near Cabrini Medical Center
Older doctor to younger doctor in a group: You actually tried to get a dermatology consultant to come in the middle of the night? That was pretty dumb. You know those guys wouldn’t get out of their Shea butter body wraps unless the world was ending.
–Kings County Emergency Room
Suit to lady friend: If you really wanted to smoke crack you’d go to the hospital!
–Nassau St & Ann St
Overweight girl to female friend: Wanna play gynecologist?
–St. Mark’s Place
Overheard by: Sarah Booz
Nurse: I once had a patient die on me. That shit stressed me out!
–E 16th St
Overheard by: wendy chin
Nurse #1: Fuck, I hate Mr. Williams. That fucker won’t shut the hell up. Every time he’s here he wants me to be his nurse.
Nurse #2, laughing: Mr. Williams likes you.
Nurse #3: I don’t know why you’re laughing, Mary. At least she doesn’t have an 80-year-old dyke putting the moves on her.
–South Ward, Albert Einstein Hospital
White college girl: I would definitely want to be a doctor, if I didn’t have to go to medical school.
–Fordham University
Nurse to another: Well, it seems that the themes of the day were UTIs and pregnancies.
–NYU Student Health Center
Overheard by: had neither
Black male pre-teen to mother: I know all about doctors, ’cause I watch shows about that. (pause) Actually, I watch Dr Phil.
–1 Train
Guy to two girls: I had to fire my doctor, I didn’t like what he told me.
–39th & Lexington
Doctor, drawing on napkin and displaying results to student: This is you…in 40 years, in a fugue state. In Turkey. Dissociative fugue – learn neurology!
–168th & Fort Washington
(nurse with elderly lady on wheelchair comes against Asian American pregnant woman with baby in stroller)
Nurse: Oh my, I’m sorry! (pulls back to let woman and child pass)
Asian American pregnant woman: Oh, I’m sorry, I can…
Senile old lady: Get out of the way, chink!
(infant cries)
Asian American pregnant woman: Excuse me?
Nurse: Oh my god! I’m so sorry.
Senile old lady: Don’t apologize!
(nurse backs up and lets mother and child through)
–Washington Square Village
Overheard by: zgoldberg
Old lady: You know, I never liked the word ‘black.’ I much preferred ‘colored’ — it makes more sense. See, you’re not black, you’re brown like the color of toast.
Nurse: Ah, um, I’m just here to give you your meds.
–Albert Einstein Hospital
Nurse: Do you live alone or do you live by yourself?
Patient: I live alone.
–NYU Hospital
Overheard by: Luis
Secretary: What are you doing for Thanksgiving?
Nurse: My husband and I are going to North Carolina to visit his family. Why? What are you doing? Do you want to come with us?
Secretary: No. I can’t. I don’t have a passport.
Nurse: Uh.
–NYU Cancer Center
Overheard by: Destiny Traphofner
Six-year-old girl: I’m hot.
Babysitter: I know, it’s really hot out.
Six-year-old girl, jumping up and down: No, I’m *hot*, like sexy hot!
–74th St & West End
Overheard by: urbanadventurer
Hat Tip 🎩 to The Marketing Scientist