10 Things Only Burnt-Out Nurses Will Understand

1. You clock in with a soul, and clock out without one.

Every shift starts with hope and ends with caffeine and contempt.

2. Your “resting nurse face” scares new hires.

They think you’re mad. You’re just thinking about the 13 things you haven’t charted yet.

3. A call light at 6:59 is your villain origin story.

Especially when it’s for an extra pillow… for their foot.

4. You can smell an “I’m about to code” from 3 rooms away.

Your nose works better than half the monitors.

5. Charting is now a form of trauma processing.

Because nothing says therapy like reliving it in full detail for legal purposes.

6. You run on coffee, spite, and the unholy power of medical tape.

Don’t underestimate what can be fixed with caffeine and an aggressive dressing.

7. “Are you okay?” triggers an existential crisis.

No. But thanks for asking at hour 11 of 12.

 

 

8. You’re fluent in sarcasm, eye rolls, and acronyms.

SBAR? More like “Send Burritos And Rescue.”

 

9. You’ve mentally quit 42 times… this week.

 

 

But that PTO balance? Ain’t worth the paperwork.

 

10. You still show up. Because chaos is your love language.

 

 

And who else is going to make miracles happen with duct tape and a dream?