I interviewed one of my colleagues, Dr. Pam, as she likes to be called, who recently was a home health patient. She agreed to share some of her experiences and observations from the “other side.” She found being in role reversal—from nurse to patient— an eye-opening experience. Dr. Pam was encouraged by her physician to have a bilateral arthroplasty of the knees, because she was experiencing severe bilateral Genum Varum (bow legs) and arthritis. Even though she was somewhat young for total knee replacement, the damage to her knees was significant, so her surgeon felt the best outcome would be a complete bilateral arthroplasty. Dr. Pam’s mobility had become progressively more limited as a result of a severe fall and fracture of the left patella 10 years prior. Walking had become a problem and stairs were impossible. Her surgeries were scheduled 5 weeks apart, because her surgeon did not believe in doing simultaneous knee surgery. Dr. Pam and her students had cared for patients/ clients with various arthroplasty for years. She knew the surgery, the pain, the medical regimen, and the physical therapy required. However, she was now the recipient. To complete the required preadmission laboratory work, Dr. Pam had to give a mid-stream urine specimen. “How in the world does an older person or a person with disabilities manage all that is required for the perioperative phases of the surgery?” she asked me. “I have taught this procedure for years to nursing students and have instructed numerous clients/patients on the fine art of this procedure.” However, it was difficult, and she managed to soak the bottom of her pants with urine. Later, with one knee repaired, a 1-inch height difference, a walker in tow, and limited mobility, she had to repeat this procedure. It turned out more disastrous than the first time. “I ended up soaking my pants, socks, and the hospital bathroom floor.” In preparation for each surgery, a Foley catheter was ordered. She found this embarrassing, as her former students were the ones required to insert the device. She was grateful when one former student asked if she would prefer another, more seasoned nurse to do this. “I was most appreciative of this gesture and readily accepted a different nurse.” The actual surgery procedures were uneventful, but the hospital recovery periods were notable experiences. She had full weight bearing on the legs immediately after surgery and the hospital staff wasted no time implementing postoperative surgical protocols. She was instructed on incentive spirometry, use of the pain pump, and ancillary devices. However, she noticed the effects of the nursing shortage, as staff members were not available in a timely fashion to help her to the bathroom or were unable to give her an extra blanket at times when she was cold. Upon her discharge from the first hospitalization, Dr. Pam was scheduled for home nurse services as well