about nurse ratched

Nurse Ratched is a character from the novel (by Ken Kesey) and film adaption One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and the television series Ratched, and was portrayed in film by Louise Fletcher and on television by Sarah Paulson.

In the book and film, Nurse Ratched is the head nurse in a mental asylum and becomes upset and angered when her power is threatened by a new patient named Randle McMurphy. In the television series, Nurse Ratched's origin story is being told, taking place in her younger years, before the events in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

The character of Nurse Ratched is so infamous that the name itself has become a term to be used in reference to formidable authority figures. She is based on a nurse the author worked with when he was a night shift orderly. Although he embellished several aspects of her character, he definitely created a most memorable character!

I first read One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest in junior high and it's a great book. The story of a man trying to avoid prison by faking mental illness is the central plot, being told and seen through the eyes of a Native American patient who is faking symptoms of his own. The story is very touching as this solitary man who doesn't belong there brings life and dignity to the patients. And the friendship and loyalty that develops between all of them is what drives the ending to it's tragic but empowering finish!


The film starring Jack Nicholson, Will Sampson, and Lousie Fletcher took a few deviations from the book, as all films do, but kept the heart of the story and was able to please fans and critics. The film was harsh and true but still emotional and heart wrenching. The actors portrayed their characters with passion and the result was a critically acclaimed award winning film masterpiece!