Secrets That Nurses Will Never Tell You

1. Nurses 'Bend' The Rules To Keep Patients Calm

Image source Woman Around TownNurses are tactful when asked a question by a patient.  Even if they are aware of the answer they will usually say they will check and get back to them.  Telling a patient bad news has to be weighed up (are family members with the patient etc.?) and it's a huge responsibility.

2. They Do More Than Taking Blood Pressure - and wiping butts

Image source Unitek CollegeSome patients don't realise a nurse's job is stressful.  They see them as scooting around, taking temperatures and checking blood pressure levels as well as changing patients clothes and bedding when they've had an accident. What a patient may be unaware of is that a nurse will be thinking about all the other jobs she has to do whilst tending to a patient and it's stressful.

3. Nurses Don't Take Orders From Doctors - they know more about the patients than the doctor does

Image source Nursing TimesNurses will spend much of their day dropping in on every patient they are responsible for and implementing procedures.  A doctor will make his daily rounds and give his professional opinion and advice.  Often, it's the nurse who will spot an error the doctor has made and is professional enough to amend it.

4. It's Insulting To Suggest They Have It Easy - just because they work part time

Image source Safety+Health MagazineIf a nurse is working 3 days a week, some will assume they have an easy life as they are at home more than at work.  How wrong this assumption is.  The other four days a week are spent recovering, rehydrating, sleeping and attempting to re-join their life - so it's far from easy.

5. They Work Hectic 12 Hour Shifts - with hardly a spare minute for a pee

Image source Business InsiderAs mentioned, working part time is no easy task.  A nurse will undertake a 12 hour shift, with hardly a minute to herself.  Going for a pee, even when desperate, has to be put off sometimes if there is a medical emergency to deal with and there often is.  To sa they are shattered after a long shift is an understatement.

6. Getting A Nursing License Isn't Easy - so much training and education to get there

Image source RCNIAn experienced nurse once commented that a doctor asked her if a nursing license is something that anyone could apply for.  If the answer was yes, there would be a lot of dangerous situations happening on the ward.  Nurses have to take board exams and become licensed to practice.

7. Nurses Don't Train Because It's A Guaranteed Job - it's because they love it

Image source SharecareIt's a common misconception that nurses only train because they know a job is waiting for them after they receive all the relevant qualifications.  Just about every nurse will have decided on that profession because they are passionate about it and intend to stick to it for the rest of their nursing career.

8. Nurses Are Never Portrayed Accurately On TV - or the movies

Image source Daily MailWatching 'Grey's Anatomy' is laughable for most nurses as the stuff that is shown to be carried out by a doctor on the television series are tasks that a nurse would attend to every day.  Nurses are often portrayed badly and it's sometimes only clear what they undertake if you actually require their care.

9. This Means They Don't Wear Sexy Lab Coats - or fancy lingerie 

Image source Daily MailWhy so many tv shows and movies show nurses in sexy white coats and high heels is beyond belief.  It's quite insulting to a nurse who will be on her feet for 12 hours straight, maybe without a break, so flat shoes are an absolute must.  As for the lacy underwear underneath, that is pure fantasy!

10. Being A Male Nurse Isn't Any Less Manly - its a vocation to be proud of

Image source Richmond NursingHow dare people say that being a male nurse is less manly than other professions.  The dedication and care they show to patients is off the scale and something many men wouldn't have a clue about, away from the nursing fraternity.  Some males go into nursing because they have seen a family member train up and love their job.

11. Not All Male Nurses Are Gay - so don't assume

Image source InsiderWrongly assumed, some individuals automatically think a male nurse must be gay.  Not that it makes any difference as it's about the care they give to patients, but this simply isn't true.  Many straight guys train to be nurses, (as well as midwives) and they do a damn good job!

12. There's No Need To Be Modest In Front Of Your Nurse - they've seen it all!

Image source InsiderIt's strange that both males and females can feel shy in front of a nurse when stripping off and showing their bits.  Nurses have seen it ALL before and probably several times a day.  Knowing your medical issue is being dealt with may help you overcome this thought process.1

13. Nurses Think About Patients When Away From Work - because they care

Image source RCNIEven though we don't show it in front of patients, we do worry about them when we aren't at the hospital.  We sometimes cry in the supply cupboard when your loved one is not doing well and there's a chance they may not survive and we always think about you.

14. Nurses Juggle 20 Different Jobs In Any One Shift - multi-tasking is the norm

Image source RCNIA regular nurse could hold a number of titles, if they different jobs they do are all taken into account.  They are often part-doctor and part-social worker, being the eyes and ears of doctors and educated enough to know when something needs to be changed or assessed.

15. The Public Don't Know That Nurses Are Exhausted - they never make a big deal out of it

Image source PahoYour nurse will never tell you how tired, fatigued or absolutely worn out they feel.  If someone comments that they look tired, they will play it down as it's a case of 'keep calm and carry on.'  You would never understand the stress that drains them or how different shifts can play havoc with their sleep pattern.

16. Giving Medication To Patients Is Stressful For Nurses - a lot of responsibility

Image source Nurse.comHanding out the relevant pills and medication to patients is a task that nurses do on a daily basis and some people think they don't do much more!  It's very time consuming to sort out and distribute the meds and can be stressful as it's imperative no errors are made.

17. Nurses Are Not Doctors' Assistants - they work WITH them

Image source Weatherby HealthcareIt's very old fashioned to think of nurses as being doctors' assistants.  In the olden days, the matron would be in charge and rule with an iron thumb.  These days it's entirely different as nurses work alongside doctors, pharmacists and respiratory therapists, to name but a few.  A nurse couldn't do her job without a doctor but sees them working together as a team.

18.  You'll Never Know When Nurses Feel Unwell - they put patients before themselves

Image source RCNIYou may pick up on when your nurse isn't feeling well but the majority of the time they won't disclose to you their own health.  While naturally your nurse would stay home if contagious, for most other illnesses they will still show up to care for you.  They are totally dedicated.

19.  A Nurse Might Be Unavailable Because Another Patient Has Died - you'll never know though

Image source The GuardianIf a nurse appears flustered and apologises for the time taken to get to you, there could be a very important reason why, especially in the critical care unit.  Another patient may have died.  It doesn't change how your nurse will care for you.  In fact it may make them work harder to get you well.

20. Nurses Are Scared When They Nearly Lose You - but stay professional

Image source RedditEven if medical staff don't use the word 'fear', if a patient crashes and things are looking bad, nurses' hearts race and they become very worried and scared.  They talk to themselves to will the patient back to life and if they succeed, the relief is absolutely huge.

21. They're on a Bad Streak Some Days - good days and bad

Image source QuoraNurses are skilled professionals and spend their time perfecting their art of nursing.  This will include IV sticks, lab draws, catheter insertions, central line care, wound packing and dressings .... the list goes on.  They are, however, only human and have good and bad days.

22. Nurses Know Preliminary Test Results - but may not be the right professional to tell you

Image source RCNINurses may know the answer to your diagnostic test but are not always the right person to convey it to you. It has to do with hospital policy and politics.  Some nurses leave the results for the patient's healthcare provider to deliver, while others use their own judgment to decide exactly what they can share..

23. They Occasionally Have To Google - they're only human

Image source FuturityIf a patient is admitted with a rare disease, It may be a condition that the nurses are not familiar with. Whenever they don't understand a disease or know the answer to your question, they can often search for an answer online.  This is very different to patients self-diagnosing themselves.

24. Nobody Wants The Monday Shift - it's manic

Image source RCNIThe beginning of the week is rough for nurses as patients may have been living with their symptoms over the weekend and have become more poorly by Monday.  Also, productivity drops at a weekend when hospitals are usually short staffed so there is loads to do at the start of a new week.

25. Nurses Do A Lot Of Heavy Lifting - and suffer many injuries

Image source ABC NewsAccording to the Bureau of Labour Statistics in America, nurses suffer over 35,000 injuries a year.  The reason is mainly the rising obesity rates in patients they have to lift.  A patient once asked a nurse if she had an artificial leg because her knee was so bad that day!

26. Nurses Have A Twisted Sense Of Humour sense of humour - to keep spirits up

Image source Spring ArborAnyone who was eavesdropping on a conversation between nurses might be appalled by what might seem like a lack empathy for their patients.  Making light of terrible situations is a coping mechanism for them and helps them crack on with whatever is thrown at them.

27. Nurses Use The Bathroom For Crying - and then pull themselves together

Image source FreepikEven with their coping methods, nurses see lots of terrible things and sometimes it can be too much for them to handle. Instead of breaking down in front of a patient, nurses will escape to the bathroom where they can grieve and have a good cry.  Then they wipe away the tears, adjust their make up and get out there again.

28. Young Male Patients Are Whiners - that's nurses' general opinion

Image source The TRT HubWhen it comes to high maintenance patients, males from the ages of 20 to 40, are the worst culprits.  They cannot handle any discomfort or pain and act like babies!  They will ask a nurse to cut food up for them because they feel sorry for themselves and the nurse will decline and tell them they have two hands to do it!

29. Nurses Feel Like Drug Dealers - when the addict isn't going to get rid of their habit

Image source American NurseThe emergency room sees lots of 'drug seekers' who claim to be in pain but are actually looking for narcotics.  Nurses say they feel like drug dealers because they know what the person wants and often give them the tablets etc because they know the medical staff aren't able to cure them.

30. They Don’t Say The Q Word - nurses have to be tactful

Image source InsiderNurses will abide by a number of superstitions such as acknowledging that a shift that is particularly slow is a jinx that will end up with a flood of new patients at any time.  They never say the word 'quiet' or 'bored' because their colleagues will blame them when the influx starts.

31. Some nurses don't like a patient's doctor

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Nurses work hand-in-hand with doctors for patient care, but that doesn't mean they always like them. It might even go as far as questioning their work ability, and some nurses will encourage patients to get a second opinion if they don't trust the doctor's analysis.

32. They tell other nurses about your gossip

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Nurses are there to support patients, so it's no surprise some may form a bond and start opening up about their personal lives or gossip. Nurses are happy to listen - but it's also likely they'll probably go and gossip about it, too, with other nurses (because shifts are long and they have nothing to talk about!).

33. Sometimes they give more pain medication than prescribed

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If a nurse can see that a terminally ill patient is really suffering, and the doctor hasn't ordered enough pain medication, they'll give more to make sure the patient is okay. They'll later ask the doctor to change the original dose and own up to the fact, of course.

34. They'll use better or worse wipes depending on how rude you are!

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If a nurse is caring for a patient who is incontinent, it's their job to clean them down with a general washcloth - but the experience with this can be normal or VIP depending on how the patient treats them! If the patient is kind and grateful, the nurse will use heated wet wipes which is a more comfortable experience. If they're rude? Basic washcloth.

35. Staying calm is their super power

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A nurse could be standing in front of someone who is bleeding to death, has their skull open, or anything else horribly traumatic right in front of them, and they'll stay calm no matter what. It's part of their job to handle difficult situations, but it's amazing how calm they can actually be.

36. They think you're stupid if you leave it too long

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We all know someone who would do absolutely anything but going to get something checked out at the doctor's - maybe you're that person! - and yes, nurses do think you're stupid if you wait a week to get a serious symptom checked out. To make it worse, partners of the patient can then give the nurse a hard time by panicking when it turns out it's serious - and they think that's stupid, too.

37. They can tell if you're lying about your pain level

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When you're admitted to a doctor, you usually have to label your pain on a level from 0 to 10, and nurses know if you're lying about that. They'll notice if you change what you're doing when they're in the room and when they're leaving, like browsing social media on your phone when you told them your pain was a 10.

38. They might save your life by noticing a doctor's mistake

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Doctors (and nurses) make mistakes, just like everybody else, but you definitely should be grateful for nurses double checking what doctors have prescribed! Some nurses have noticed (and fixed) mistakes like forgetting to order a certain medication, or doctors trying to treat the wrong patient.

39. They're constantly battling red tape

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As of a nurse's day wasn't busy enough, they spend a lot of it dealing with a huge amount of red tape. A huge chunk of their day is spent at the computer rather than with patients, because they have to tick every box and chart everything they're doing, and everything they've done.

40. Hospitals are still filthy

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We all like to think that hospitals are the cleanest places in the world - and obviously, they're as sanitary as they can be, but that doesn't mean they're perfect. Nurses know that all hospitals are still full of germs, because there are some that are just resistant to everything that can be thrown at them.

41. They don't get 'easy' patients

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Sometimes you think of easy and simple stuff when you think of nurses, like having your blood taken for a routine exam, but nurses don't get 'easy' patients - even if they used to! These days, it's likely you'll be sent home if you're not really sick, which means any patient that comes through to a nurse is a more serious case.

42. This is the one thing you should never say to a nurse!

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Nurses get a lot of things said to them on the day to day, but one thing that they really hate is when a patient says, "You're too smart to be a nurse". A lot of patients think nurses are just people who wanted to become doctors and failed, when actually they wanted to be a nurse.

43. People who are less sick are the ones who complain

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Nurses reveal that it's usually the patients who are seriously sick who don't complain much about it. The ones who are in a lot of pain and trouble will usually try to avoid 'being a bother', but the people with the not-so-serious ailments will usually be shouting about it.

44. They might complain about you behind your back

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A nurse will always be polite and smiley to your face, but if you're an awkward patient, you best believe they're complaining about you behind your back to other nurses! And the thing about this is it can affect how the others then treat you, too, if they're next to come take care of you.

45. They hate it when you don't include herbal medications

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Nurses have to ask patients if they're taking any existing medication, and they hate it when patients don't think herbal medications count. A lot of patients thing 'medication' only means prescribed drugs, but it means everything, including herbal and over-the-counter things.

46. Certain doctors scare them

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There are some people in every job that have a reputation for being a little... difficult. And there are of course doctors who are known for being pretty awful personality wise. Nurses can get really intimidated and scared about bringing up a mistake that a doctor has made if they're known for being terrible.

47. They don't like patients who think it's a hotel

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Nurses don't like to hear about how bad your food is - it's a hospital, and they don't understand why patients think they'll be getting a 5 star meal. They also hate personal requests or their rooms, like partners sleeping in the bed with them, as though it's an overnight stay for a vacation break.

48. They might say they don't have the results even if they do

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Most of the time, your official doctor will be the one to come and explain your test results to you, but sometimes a patient might ask a nurse if the results have come back yet. Even if they have, the nurse will lie and say they haven't, because they need to leave the explaining for the doctor to do!

49. Nurses take things out on each other

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Stressful workplaces with so many people can inevitably lead to a little in-fighting and being grumpy with each other - and it's no different for nurses. Nurses can often take things out on each other and get a little mean. Some senior nurses especially might embarrass nurses working under them by correcting their mistakes in public.

50. They get blamed for things that aren't their fault

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And they hate it! Nurses can often be an easy target by doctors - or even patients - when stress levels are high. The worst is when doctors blame nurses for something that isn't their fault in front of the patient - which then makes the patient think the nurse is incompetent!