Nurses treating Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev say their natural inclination toward compassion makes it difficult to see the 19-year-old as a possible terrorist. And they have to make concerted effort — and buddy-system pacts — to keep from referring to him with terms of endearment such as “hon.”

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.

“You see a hurt 19-year-old and you can’t help but feel sorry for him,” the nurse said, as Gawker reported.

The nurses requested anonymity out of concern of public backlash. Mr. Tsarnaev was first treated at a Boston hospital for gunshot wounds before being transferred to Fort Devens.