In Blissville hospital, clusters of nurses and staff huddled in pockets by the nurses station, in the elevator, even near the vending machines their voices a low buzz of scandal and speculation. The news had spread like wildfire through the overnight shift change. Nurse Lina, the veteran nurse had been promoted to Clinical Nurse II.
Just like that.
No exam, fanfare, no committee review whispers, no waiting list. Her new badge gleamed on her scrubs, the title etched in bold letters, and the hospital grapevine was ablaze.
In the breakroom, a group of younger nurses, fresh-faced and caffeinated leaned over their mugs, their scrubs a rainbow of patterns under the harsh light. "Can you believe it?" whispered a petite brunette with wide eyes, stirring her coffee with unnecessary vigor. "Lina? How could she have gotten promoted just like that. It's absurd."
