When I was in elementary school, my best friend’s mother was a registered nurse, and I always looked forward to visiting their home. She had endless captivating stories about the patients she cared for and the emergencies she faced in her bustling medical-surgical unit. Their house felt like a mini hospital; they didn’t have ordinary Band-Aids like the rest of us. Instead, they had cotton and medical tape, and when it came to wrapping gifts, they used bandage scissors!
I admired her crisp white uniform and the way her stethoscope hung casually around her neck. She was the mom you wanted around when a neighborhood kid got hurt—always knowing exactly what to do. As I grew older and began considering my career path, it was this incredible woman who helped me land a volunteer position at her hospital. I spent my days delivering mail and flowers to patients, immersing myself in the vibrant atmosphere of the hospital. The sounds of the ICU and the fast-paced emergency department captivated me. After she guided me through her nursing station and explained her role as a head nurse, I was hooked. I graduated nursing school with my bachelor’s degree in 1997, largely inspired by my friend’s mom and her nursing journey.
While I always respected the nurses in my life, it wasn’t until I became a mom myself that I truly recognized the unsung heroism of nurses who are also mothers. Nurses inherently prioritize their patients’ needs over their own, often skipping meals or bathroom breaks to stay with those who require attention. Moms, by their very nature, are selfless and dedicated to their children, sometimes to a fault. Seriously, how many moms do you know who have had the luxury of using the restroom alone recently?
When you combine the roles of motherhood and nursing, it creates a powerful, badass duo. From the moment a nurse graduates, she takes an oath to safeguard her patients, and much like motherhood, her responsibilities don’t cease when she leaves her shift.
1. For Mom Nurses, the Chaos Never Stops.
Nurses often spend their days tending to wounds, cleaning up messes, and handling situations that most people wouldn’t dare to face. For nurse moms, returning home to children means more of the same—especially if she’s living with a toddler.
2. Food Orders Are Always Off.
Hospital food doesn’t have the best reputation, and when patients aren’t feeling well, the standard dinner tray usually doesn’t cut it. Nurses spend countless hours ensuring their patients receive the right nutrition, often whipping together meals from the unit fridge. When they return home, they trade in their scrubs for an apron, becoming short-order cooks for their families.
3. Someone Is Always Craving Mom.
Nurses regularly encounter high-stress scenarios, assisting families in crisis and comforting patients in distress. When a nurse mom comes home, she still has the energy to kiss a scraped knee, cuddle a child after a nightmare, or mend a broken heart.
4. Rashes Are Part of the Job.
Whether it’s a nasty diaper rash or a friend excitedly describing their skin issue, rashes are a common challenge for nurse moms. If you know a mom nurse, do her a favor—skip asking her to check out that strange mole. Trust me, she’s seen more than enough skin issues to last a lifetime.
5. The Laundry Pile Is Never-Ending.
In hospitals, patients require frequent changes of sheets and gowns. A single patient can go through several outfits in a day. And when a mom nurse gets home, she faces her own mountains of laundry, including the occasional bed-wetter.
6. Accidents Happen, Especially in Front of Nurses.
Nurses are trained to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice, whether it’s a patient collapsing or a critical situation unfolding in the emergency room. The same goes for mom nurses; whether at the park or the grocery store, they are always prepared to spring into action when needed. And yes, it can be utterly exhausting.
It’s often said that everyone encounters a nurse at least once during their life. Since we all have moms, it’s clear that you’ve witnessed the incredible work of these women at some point. If you’re fortunate enough to know a mom who is also a nurse, give her a big hug, express your gratitude, and maybe avoid discussing your last doctor’s visit. She’ll appreciate it!
If you’re interested in learning more about the amazing journeys of moms, check out this post on Cervical Insemination. And for those considering at-home insemination, Make A Mom offers reputable kits to help you on your journey. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Healthline, an excellent resource.
In summary, nurse moms are truly remarkable individuals who juggle demanding careers with the challenges of motherhood. They embody selflessness and strength, making them the unsung heroes of our communities.