Every profession has its highs and lows—even nursing. But if we’re being honest, nursing wins out more often than not. Sure, the job can be chaotic, exhausting, and full of characters you’d never voluntarily invite to brunch, but there’s still nothing quite like it. If you’ve ever worked a shift in scrubs, you know exactly what I mean.
Here are six painfully honest (and slightly sarcastic) reasons why nursing is both hilarious and heroic—and still better than most jobs out there.
1. The Joy-Filled Atmosphere… Sort Of
Let’s be clear: hospitals aren’t exactly brimming with sunshine and rainbows. Most of your patients are cranky, uncomfortable, and stuck eating gelatin cubes for dessert. Throw in a catheter and some hospital-grade socks, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for pure misery. But here’s the twist—nurses show up with compassion, humor, and skill despite all of that. If you can bring comfort to someone wearing a backless gown, you’re basically a superhero.
2. Your Charge Nurse Deserves an Emmy
Every nurse has met “that” charge nurse—the one who magically transforms into the face of joy and helpfulness when an inspector from Joint Commission walks through the door. Before that? Total stone-cold silence and a side-eye strong enough to wilt flowers. But hey, at least it’s entertaining. And if nothing else, it makes you appreciate the rare gems who lead with integrity and kindness all year round.
3. Family Members Who Definitely Went to WebMD University
Ah yes, the relatives who think your degree and clinical experience are cute, but insist on telling you how to do your job based on a Google search. You’ll hear everything from “Can’t you just give him something stronger?” to “I read online that ginger cures cancer.” They’re exhausting—but oddly consistent. At least they give you material for your next vent session in the break room.
4. Fashionably Functional (Emphasis on Functional)
Forget the silk blouses and power heels. Your wardrobe is 90% drawstring scrubs and sneakers with orthopedic insoles. But there’s a silver lining—you don’t waste time deciding what to wear, you’re comfy all day, and you can spill an entire cup of coffee on yourself without panic. Also, no one expects you to contour your face or flat-iron your hair at 5 a.m. It’s basically the lazy girl’s dream uniform.
5. You’re the Go-To “Friend Nurse” (Even Off the Clock)
Nothing says friendship like getting a 10 p.m. text asking if someone’s green toenail is normal. Spoiler alert: it’s not. But no, you don’t want to see pictures. And no, you can’t diagnose people based on vague symptoms and blurry selfies. If you’re a nurse, your social circle assumes you’re an on-call clinic with a flexible sleep schedule. You’ll learn to love (or at least tolerate) it.
6. The Myth of the “Three-Day Workweek”
Yes, you technically work three days a week. But those are 12-hour shifts (that often stretch to 14), and they involve running nonstop, skipping meals, dodging bodily fluids, and making life-or-death decisions on the fly. By the end of that third day, your brain is mush and your feet are pleading for retirement. One of your days off is basically reserved for rejoining the land of the living.
Real Talk: It’s All Worth It
Despite the madness, there’s a deep pride that comes with nursing. You’re there for people at their most vulnerable. You ease pain, offer comfort, celebrate recoveries, and hold hands during heartbreak. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real—and that’s what makes it powerful.