One 29-year-old nurse said on Gawker: “When you’re in the room, it’s just a patient. You’re here to … make sure they’re feeling better. When you step away, you take it in. I am compassionate, that’s what we do. But should I be? The rest of the world hates him right now.”

Others said they felt guilty just for treating him in the same manner they treat all their patients, Gawker reported. And at least one other said she accidentally referred to Mr. Tsarnaev to “hon” and subsequently forged an agreement with a colleague to tap each other on the shoulder if either spoke such terms of endearment again to the suspect.