McGrath, I agree totally. Women may be at more risk for jeers and catcalls, but actual severe violence from strangers... nope, pretty unusual. Usually if we're beaten up, it's by someone we know.

When I'm working late and finishing up charts, inevitably one of my nurses hangs around so that we can walk out to our cars together. This cracks me up. I know that they all mean well, but come on! I have attitude and confidence and common sense. I look inside my car before I unlock the door. I walk briskly, and try to act like I own the place (okay, I do). How is a 5 foot tall hundred-pound nurse supposed to protect me from rapists and thugs? They don't do this to my male colleagues.