So what dooo you do as a nurse???

Frankly I think you are overreacting. It does not sound like the question was meant to be hurtful. Your Mom is trying to build your sister's confidence a little. Please let it go.

Next time explain how it works in a rehab hospital. They go to therapy three hours a day. Medicare pays for 28 days and in that time you teach them how to function as independently as possible after a major illness stroke or surgery while making sure they don't suffer any complications. Or just say "I get them better."

You could talk about what you really do, but it wouldn't be very polite dinner table conversation.

I think she's just trying to make your sister feel better. Let it go....

I personally don't think it is an overreaction. This is just an example. Having people in general think and make comments to the effect that all we do is carry a little pill in a med cup and then wonder what we do with the rest of the day, doesn't that get you upset, even just a little. I am just looking for a positive way to respond to these comments that would make the nursing profession proud. Any ideas?

TheCommuter, you nailed it!!!

We also have no idea of the family dynamic in which this conversation took place. A lifetime of digs and barbs could make a person (seemingly) overreact. I have lived with it forever in my family. Not job wise but lack of a husband (not a real family as a single mom).

While not bussing tables, you are responsible for developing a plan of care, managing the patients so they can be at the highest potential, when they leave.

I would never say to an auto mechanic "all you do is tighten a few bolts" so what do you do with the rest of your day.

P.S. I am not saying that busing tables is not exhausting work. I am just saying that all of us in all occupations work hard and should be respected.

I agree,you know what you do and how hard it is,what you do every day. I have friends and a BF,even my senior bosses,in the past that have said "You feed babies!" I work in NICU,yes I feed babies.....I also drawn blood and insert IV lines into thread sized veins. I suction and maintain ET tubes and chest tubes,I "cool" babies, I assist doctors and make sure they order what needs to be ordered to progress to discharge....I am sorry but nothing would progress in my unit if we didn't! I deal with Moms and Dads that are very upset,worried,angry or depressed. I am confident in the fact that what I do is important,stressful and tiring. If they don't get it their problem!

Even CNAs, clerks, PTs, doctors, etc, etc who work with us do not know what a nurse "does" unless they themselves were to become a nurse and finally "get it". Everyone thinks they can do it, cuz we just sit at a computer all day, apparently. I wish they had a "bring your spouse to work" day also so that they can see what we actually do all day, because unless you are a nurse, you just don't know what we go through. I would just ignore their comments.