I am a student Nurse and my Mother in Law is a Nurse

Nurses Stress 101

Published

I am a student nurse and I am set to Graduate in June of this year. My thing is this, how do you deal with a Mother in Law that has been a nurse for 13 years and thinks she KNOWS everything about sickness and is a Med Book itself. My husband is set to have his wisdom teeth out and she has called everyday looking for him (he works 2nd shift). Makes him food and SENDS it out, does not bring it out to the house (1 mile from inlaws) :uhoh3:. Well I don't work much while going to school, but I DO know how to cook. Please! How annoying. When it comes to me being in Nursing school, she is ALL the time telling me how people should be cared for (especially my husband when he is sick). He is on an antibiotic right now. Amox for infection of teeth until they get pulled, well she tells him over the phone how to take it, when to take it and all the side effects. HELLO, I don't know everything in a med book, but I sure do what Amox is for! COME ON! She stresses me out. Don't know why, but anytime I am around her (not alot):yeah: She is quizzing me on my knowledge and guess what? I am ALWAYS wrong when it comes to nursing becasue there are NO nurses like her!.. Eventhough she has had 25 jobs in the 10 years I have known her. Nobody gets along with her, she has 2 friends . . What is the deal? Anyone else deal with this Makes me feel so inadequate! Hate it!:angryfire

Sounds like the Nursing version of the show "Everyone Loves Raymond". What does your husband have to say? Have you talked to him about it?

Good Luck

Matt

Specializes in School Nursing.

Maybe next time she starts you could just smile sweetly and say "I don't like to talk shop during family time". Beyond that, I think it is your husband's responsibility to speak to her about boundaries since it is his family.

Specializes in critical care, med/surg.

I feel so sorry for you! My MIL is also a nurse (for 30+) years...but she and I have a great relationship! We work for different companies, so she is the one I can rant and rave to when I have a crappy day. She usually feeds my family on the nights I work (my husband's cooking skills include frozen pizza and mac and cheese). We live right next door, but she has never been intrusive in the 5 years my hubby and I been together!

I think the best bet would to be honest and straightforward...tell her it's time to cut the apron strings! ;-) Hopefully you can have a better relationship in the future.

+ Add a Comment