Being a nurse isn’t just a career. It’s a lifestyle filled with challenges, dedication, and moments that truly no one else could relate to. Sometimes, all you can do is laugh through the chaos. From humor in the break room to clever quips about long shifts, we’ve rounded up ten common nursing frustrations that capture the unique struggles and (occasional) inside humor of the profession. Get ready to nod and feel seen!
Related CE course: Positive Thinking and Its Effect on Practice
“My stethoscope is just for decoration today.”
You know those days when you’re so bogged down in charting, catching up on meds, or juggling patient requests that you don’t even have time to use your stethoscope? It’s practically an accessory at this point. A fashionable one, though, right?
Nurses know better than anyone that some shifts are less actual patient care and more like an Olympic event in multitasking.
“Nothing like an 8-hour shift that turns into 13.”
Time isn’t real in healthcare, is it? Just when you think you’re heading home, a last-minute patient admission or an overflowing ER pops up. Suddenly, your shift has “magically” expanded.
But hey, nurses are nothing if not adaptive. You deserve a medal (and a nap)!
“Another fine example of nursing math: 3 patients, 1 nurse, 0 time.”
Nobody crunches numbers faster than a nurse, especially when you’re figuring out how to deliver meds to three patients while managing vitals and addressing their five million questions. Nursing math isn’t flawless, but somehow, you always pull it off. Superhero status confirmed.
“You haven’t lived until you’ve charted 12 hours of care at 7:30 p.m.”
Ah, charting. The unsung hero of modern healthcare. While patients see the hands-on care you provide, they rarely realize how much time you spend documenting it all. Twelve hours of meticulous care wrapped up in a mad charting sprint before shift end? Just another day on the job.
Pro tip for new nurses out there: Caffeine helps.
“It’s not a full moon, but it feels like one.”
There’s an unspoken superstition in healthcare about full moons and wild shifts. Sometimes, it’s not even a full moon, but the intensity on the unit makes you do a double-take. Broken equipment, patient antics, and mysterious behaviors? Must be something lunar. Nurses swear by it.
“Raise your hand if your lunch break was scheduled for 1 p.m. but happened at 3 p.m.”
What’s a lunch break? If you’re lucky, it’s shoveling bites of food into your mouth between call lights. And if you’re really lucky, it happens before the end of your shift. Here’s to those lukewarm coffees and half-eaten sandwiches that fuel healthcare heroes.
Related CE course: Building Your Credibility and Team Skills: Positive Reframing in Healthcare Leadership
“You know you’re a nurse when you measure time by when meds are due.”
10 a.m. becomes “meds for Room 4,” and noon becomes “pain management for Room 7.” Forget hours and minutes; medication schedules define the pace of your day. It’s a rhythm only nurses can truly relate to.
Oh, and don’t even mention the chaos when one patient’s meds are overdue.
“If you didn’t double glove for that, are you even a nurse?”
Every nurse has faced that moment. Maybe it’s a sticky procedure, a messy wound, or just a gut feeling that one glove won’t cut it. Double gloving is a nurse’s ultimate “better safe than sorry” move.
Pro tip: always keep spare gloves in your pocket. You know why.
“Nursing report bingo should be a real game.”
“Family is upset about care.”
“Patient didn’t sleep all night.”
“Amazing amount of stool output.”
We’re not saying that you secretly play report bingo in your head, but if you did, you’d win at least once every shift. Nursing reports are where you hear it all—from the expected to the downright bizarre.
“Is there a nurse in the house? Yes, and they’re off duty!”
Nurses don’t stop being “on call” when they leave the hospital. At family gatherings, the second there’s a headache, scrape, or vague health question, everyone looks straight at you. Your medical expertise is always in high demand, even when all you want is to relax.
But deep down, you know you wouldn’t have it any other way.
Why laughter matters in healthcare
Nursing isn’t easy. The long shifts, emotional demands, and constant need for adaptability take their toll. But humor provides a way to connect, decompress, and remind yourself why you entered the profession in the first place. Sharing nursing frustrations, laughs with colleagues, or finding humor in tough moments can lift spirits and strengthen bonds.
At Elite Learning, we understand the nursing frustrations you face every shift. That’s why our flexible, on-demand continuing education programs are designed to fit your hectic schedule. With hundreds of engaging courses, you can stay ahead in your career without sacrificing your personal time.
We hope these nursing frustrations make you felt seen today. Remember, you’re doing a phenomenal job, even on the toughest days. Keep being the rock star nurse you are!
