Registered nurse Tara Rynders had a life-changing experience when she became the patient and nearly died.
The near-death experience gave her new perspective on nursing. Rynders, who is also a dancer and choreographer, explores issues like nurse burnout and compassion fatigue through movement and theater in a new show running for two weekends in October. "First, Do No Harm" is staged at Rose Medical Center, where Rynders works.
Rynders talked to Colorado Matters about the immersive experience, in which a small audience is led through a working hospital, including parts of the facility the public rarely sees. She worked with several collaborators, including Denver actor and playwright Edith Weiss and co-directors Jadd Tank, of Houston, and Lia Bonfilio, of New York City.
Rynders presents the production through her project The Clinic, which also includes a yearlong arts residency at Rose Medical Center.
"First, Do No Harm" runs Oct. 18 - 28, 2018 at Rose Medical Center in Denver.
