7 Things You Should Never Say to a Nurse

  1. “You’re just a nurse?”
    Nurses are highly trained professionals — not assistants or backups. They assess, intervene, educate, and save lives.
  2. “Must be nice to work only three days a week.”
    Try three 12-hour shifts with no guaranteed breaks, constant multitasking, and high-stakes decision-making.
  3. “So, when are you going to become a doctor?”
    Nursing is its own profession with unique skills. Many nurses choose nursing — they’re not on their way to med school.
  4. “You don’t look tired.”
    Nurses are often physically and emotionally exhausted, even if they smile through it.
  5. “It’s not that bad — you’re used to it, right?”
    Seeing suffering and trauma never becomes “normal.” Compassion fatigue is real.
  6. “Can’t you just call the doctor for that?”
    Nurses make critical decisions independently and often handle the issue before a doctor is even needed.
  7. “My friend’s cousin had that and they were fine.”
    Every patient is different. Comparing cases oversimplifies complex care and can be disrespectful.