Nurse did nursing work, as requested (9)

I believe the answer is:

entreated

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'requested' is the definition.

'nurse did nursing' is the wordplay.
'nurse' becomes 'EN' (abbreviation for state-enrolled nurse).
'did nursing' becomes 'treated' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'en'+'treated'='ENTREATED'

'work as' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for entreated that I've seen before include "Asked earnestly" , "Appealed earnestly, begged" , "organised petition" , "Pleaded" , "Beseeched" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app