พยาบาล as a verb means to look after sick people. พยาบาล is also a noun; a person who looks after sick people.
When I arrived at my SHA+ hotel last evening I was anxious to be tested in order to minimise my stay. Other posts had talked of being taken to a hospital so when the procedure was being explained, I thought that I heard โรงพยาบาล when told that tests were being done between 0800 and 1800. Next morning when I enquired, reception could manage only “Over there” pointing towards the entrance so I exited the hotel! Finding no transport, I returned and asked for an explanation of “Over there” and found that off to the side there were reception desks where, had I arrived between the appointed times, I would have been tested.
So to the language aspect of this post. I thought that had heard โรงพยาบาล rather than นางพยาบาล but now think it more likely that only พยาบาล was said. Thais tell me that I speak ชัด, well, if I do, it is because I need to be understood. When speaking English to Thais I also try to adapt my speech to fit their ability to understand me I wish that Thais could slow down snd include more details in order that I might understand them.
การตรวจไม่ใช่ตอนนี้ครับ พรุ่งนี้เช้าจะมีพยาบาลนั่งอยู่ที่โต๊นี้ทำ
That is perhaps not what they might say but I will learn nothing if they don’t speak slowly and add more in Thai or I will know nothing if they don’t speak more slowly and say more in English. I am doing my “bit” here.