I recently had a fellow, medical field friend of mine stop by my house for a visit, and within moments of her arrival we were deep in conversation about all things nurse-related. I could see the other two people present staring off into the distance, picking lint, or trying to gain interest in the muted television in the background, but still we continued to gab. We couldn’t stop, or at least we didn’t want to cease our shared conversation.
Something about nurses; they are drawn into conversation with a fellow like-minded professional, and they jump at the chance to share stories with one another. It’s just one of those things. You know you’re a nurse when you do certain little things, or when you display particular characteristics.
There’s actually a lot of those tell-tale particulars. See if you can relate to any of the ones I came up with today.
You know you’re a nurse if…
You swap gory stories with friends.
Compression stockings are your go-to accessory.
Family members call you in case of emergency.
You frequently recognize people (former patients) while out in public.
Your wallet contains as many certification cards as it does debit/credit cards.
You often describe medical dramas on television as “unrealistic.”
People assume you know every medication on the market and every disease in existence.
And when someone asks you a question you refuse to answer “I don’t know,” but instead figure it out via Google.
You relate to most conversation with “this one time I had a patient…”
You have trouble going to sleep because you think you hear an IV pump going off down the hall.
Going to the ER is a last resort for you and your immediate family.
You’ve been known to make an entire lunch out of graham crackers and pudding. You do what you have to do.
You don’t wear your work shoes anywhere but work.
You don’t get fake nails. Can you say germ magnet?!
You have a cabinet or drawer in your home stocked full of “procured” first aid supplies.
You are intimately familiar with the term “ICU/Hospital Psychosis,” and you know all too well that it’s real.
You know what a “manometer” is, and you’re not afraid to use it.
When you walk in the door after work you immediately strip down and deposit your clothing in the wash.
You’re really good at hitting fast-moving targets with a sharp object.
You don’t wear dangly earrings that can be grabbed easily. You might have learned this the hard way.
You have a medicine cabinet that could rival the local pharmacy, but you never throw any of it away.
Your back is probably sore even as you read this.
You know first hand just how strong 80 year old, 98 pound women can be.
Your skin on your hands is always dry. And it likely cracks in the winter.
You know the difference between the words “allergy” and “side effect.”
You can move fast when you have to, and you can think even faster.
You frequently receive food as a gift, and you are fine with that.
You realize that when the word “crazy” is used as a descriptive term that it’s actually meant in the most endearing way possible.
When you hold hands with your spouse you can’t help but run your fingers along their vein.
You resist going to the doctor unless your eyes are bleeding or your intestines fall out.
You wash your hands a bit excessively, and you own stock in Germex.
Discovery Health is one of your favorite channels.
You equate the word “gross” with the word “cool.”
You’ve come to see sporting varicose veins as wearing the new black.
You silently self-diagnose strangers in public based on their physical presentation. You can’t help it.
It doesn’t even bother you answering repeated health questions from others. You’re used to it.
Your email address probably has the word “nurse” or “RN” in it.
You think a new stethoscope is one of the best gifts ever.
At night you hug your family a little tighter because you truly understand how fleeting life can be.
Sound familiar?
You may have noticed a few obvious ones I left out, like you aren’t bothered by the sight of blood, or you’re used to working weekends and holidays. I attempted to make this list a bit different from things I might have mentioned in previous blogs. But I would love to hear what you could add to the list. It will be fun.
Comment below with your “you know you’re a nurse if,” and we’ll call it a collective post. Just imagine we’re sharing a story.
Jamie Roder says
You know you’re a nurse if…you make your family swear to secrecy on a family vacation not mention at all that you’re a nurse! (However if there’s a “real” emergency you’ll be the first to jump in!!)
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Haha! Exactly. Off duty, except in emergency.
April says
LOL, I can definitely relate to that one. Always telling my husband to not do anything stupid on my days off because when I am away from the job I am not a nurse.
Cathy says
Truth, truth, truth.
ruthiespage says
YES! YES! YES!