I'm not sure specifically as I haven't read it. It could be about the old nurse's experiences in the hospital, her encounters with different patients, or perhaps some events from her own life that she wants to share.
The 'old nurse's story' could cover a wide range of things. It could be about her relationships with other medical staff, the changes she has seen in the medical field over the years. For example, she might talk about how medical technology has advanced and how it has affected patient care. Or it could be a personal story about a particular patient who had a great impact on her life, like a patient who taught her a valuable life lesson through their own struggle with an illness.
The main character is surely the old nurse. Depending on the nature of the story, if it's about her work life, other important characters could be the doctors she works with. They might have different personalities and working styles that interact with the old nurse's own way of doing things. And if the story has elements of her personal life, then her family members like her husband, children or siblings could play significant roles. Also, some patients she has a special connection with could be main characters in the story as they shape her experiences and emotions.
One example could be the old nurse's mention of a long - lost heirloom early in the story. This might foreshadow its later discovery which could change the course of the characters' lives.
The themes in 'the old nurse's story' might include perseverance. The old nurse must have faced many difficulties in her job, but she persevered. There could also be a theme of memory. Since she is old, her memories of past events could be central to the story, like how she remembered the good and bad times. Additionally, a theme of family could be present. Her relationship with the family she served, whether it was harmonious or full of conflict, could be a key aspect of the story.
One gothic element could be the setting. If the story takes place in an old, decaying mansion or a dark, isolated place like a forest at night. Another might be the presence of mystery, such as an unexplained event or a character with a secret past. And the use of the supernatural, like a ghostly apparition or strange noises that can't be accounted for.
Maybe the old nurse's story is about the challenges and rewards she faced in her profession. It could involve touching moments with patients or difficult decisions she had to make.