Today I had almost gotten the baby to sleep when suddenly my toddler started crying. She’s a sensitive soul, and sadly cries the exact same whether her arm has been torn off by a rogue bear or her sister took her favorite toy. So needless to say when I heard her cries I wasn’t sure. But suddenly my five year old screamed, “oh my gosh, Mom, come quick. The blood is really pouring!”
My first thought; what’s a lot to her is not a lot to me. Second, they were in the tub. Water makes bleeding look way worse. Three, she was still crying, and that’s always a good sign.
It ended up being a small, busted lip, thankfully, and much like I had assumed. I later thought to myself, yep, I’m a nurse. At no point did I get too bothered. I suppose it’s the ICU running through my veins.
I’ve done this post before, but it’s so much fun. So here’s some more ways you know you’re a nurse if…
You know you’re a nurse if one of your kids starts crying, the other one screams, “come quick, Mom, the blood is really pouring,” yet you don’t get overly excited at all.
You know you’re a nurse if you get frustrated over inaccurate hospital scenes portrayed on television.
You know you’re a nurse if your own family has never been to the ER, except in the case of broken bones or blood pouring from their eyeballs. And even then you considered an acute care clinic first.
You know you’re a nurse if you stare at strangers’ veins longingly.
You know you’re a nurse if you’ve seen so many people naked that it doesn’t even phase you anymore.
You know you’re a nurse if you play “try to guess the disease” on people in line at the DMV.
You know you’re a nurse if you have single use alcohol pads throughout your home. And rolls of tape.
You know you’re a nurse if people consistently ask you unsolicited for medical advice or say, “hey, can you look at this rash for me?”
You know you’re a nurse if you can’t go by an accident scene without stopping to ask, “can I be of any assistance?”
You know you’re a nurse if you look up and research every new medication you’re prescribed before agreeing to take it.
You know you’re a nurse if your medicine cabinet not only rivals the local pharmacy, but contains about 100 half-taken bottles of antibiotic and expired medications. Because you never know.
You know you’re a nurse if you have more scrubs than designer jeans.
You know you’re a nurse if you get excited about receiving colorful support socks as a gift.
You know you’re a nurse if you spend more money on a stethoscope than you do your hair or makeup.
You know you’re a nurse if you don’t go to the doctor until you’re dead. I may be exaggerating. Slightly.
You know you’re a nurse if you have no problem discussing bodily functions at the dinner table.
You know you’re a nurse if you seek out other medical professionals at social events so you have someone you can talk to.
You know you’re a nurse if the comfort level of your shoes exceeds the style ratio.
You know you’re a nurse if the investment into a quality moisturizer for dry hands is a must.
You know you’re a nurse if you see strangers partaking in risky behavior and your first thought is, “yep, I’ll see you soon.”
You know you’re a nurse if a holiday off of work is actually a rare treat.
You know you’re a nurse if your bladder capacity is bigger than your SUV’s gas tank.
You know you’re a nurse if you use 60cc syringes in the kitchen for things such as basting turkeys or decorating cookies. You know you’re the child of a nurse if you used them as water guns when you were little.
You know you’re a nurse if eating a meal in less than ten minutes just seems like a normal thing. If you were also in the military, then five minutes is average.
You know you’re a nurse if you take great care of your patients, but you’re not a great patient yourself. Guilty as charged.
The list could go on forever. Nurses are a breed unto themselves, and as such we have telltale idiosyncrasies that we all seem to share. I’m sure you can think of plenty more. Feel free to comment them below. Let’s see how long the list can go!
Ruthie young says
Loved this!! And yes to all except didn’t know support hose came in colors. Be still my heart!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
It’s a fashion industry unto itself!
christy says
Sockwell makes fun colors and prints!
Barbara Allen says
Love this. Not a nurse but love nurses
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.