1. No dinnertime topics are off limits. Seriously, none.
Anytime you sit down to eat a nice meal and enjoy some stimulating conversation with the roomies, be prepared to hear about the diseases, the rashes, and the smells that occurred during their clinical hours for the day. Let's just hope they washed their hands before digging in.
2. You'll build up an immunity to these stories.
I remember the first time my lovely roommate described c. diff to me as I was eating a sandwich. I kept it in then and I've kept in in ever since. Before you know it there will be no gagging sensation when your roomie-nurse starts talking about an old man's erupting testicles and other fun things that she encountered during her day.
3. HIPAA laws don't apply to friends.
Just kidding. They never divulge personal information like names or age, just their deep dark medical secrets making their anonymity a medical mystery that competes with the drama of Grey's and Law and Order.
4. Your Google search history will look extremely sketchy.
After searching a variety of drug names your roommates mentioned and random body parts you didn't know existed, you better hope no one looks through your search history.
5. You never quite know if/when your roommate washes their scrubs.
I mean, they did just wear the same thing yesterday… and the day before. Wait was that the day they dealt with the MRSA patient? Maybe she washed them after that… It's a 'don't ask don't tell' situation.
6. Nursing appliances turn into cool party tricks.
From squirting shots of saline at each other to breaking out stolen needles, it's all fun and games until someone's blood is on your kitchen counter…
7. The number of needles in your apartment matches the number found in a drug addict's room.
When your roommate celebrates a finding a new needle leftover in her lab coat after clinical, you begin to wonder what she is actually using them for…
8. Speaking of drugs, nursing majors know them well.
Most specifically, they're familiar with anti-depressants, Xanax, Adderall, pot, you know, the stuff that keeps them sane.
9. Whenever you're sick, you'll always have an easy diagnosis.
Who needs a doctor when your roommate can tell you that you have a cold and need to skip class to rest?
10. When you actually are sick or have a weird injury, you'll always have someone to take a look at it for you.
No more wincing glares from your mom who 'hates looking at that stuff.' Nurses love looking at your deformities and figuring out why you're so messed up.
11. You'll get an honest answer when you ask, "Can I drink on this?"
Even if they say you're not supposed to, they still won't stop you from doing it.
12. After hearing all of their crazy ER stories, you find yourself making better life decisions.
Jumping off the roof at that day-drink may look fun to the other drunks, but you heard a story about a guy who broke his femur and bent his leg the opposite direction, so staying put just seems like the best option. Thanks nurse-roomies.
13. But if there was ever a real emergency, like the time you tripped in your four-inch heels and scraped your knee, you know you're in good hands.
From anti-bacterial ointment to never-ending gauze, they've got the goods.
14. You'll feel smarter watching your hospital shows.
From Grey's to Chicago Med, you'll be able to keep up with the lingo after a few semesters worth of stories. Soon enough you'll find yourself calling a 'code blue' over the intercom when you're a little too excited about your Jimmy Johns delivery.
15. You can get an official diagnosis of "senioritis" from your professional medical friends.
Yes, it is real. No, there is no cure. I do hear that Wednesdays at the Pub with cheeseballs can alleviate the acute pain of oncoming graduation, however.
16. You will always be the lazy one.
While you're chillin' like a villain, cruising through your last semester, your roommates are doing 20+ clinical hours a week plus a full class load, plus four mini-quizzes, eight medical care plans, five blueprints, a critical analysis, and three exams. And that's a slow week, at best.
17. You'll make your roommates feel super smart at all times.
Whenever they make you scratch your head or you have to ask for further explanation, you'll make them realize how much they actually know about a medical topic. Or just how little you actually know about the human anatomy. Either way, good for you for making them remember how freaking smart they are.
18. Weekends may not always exist.
From weekend clinical hours to Monday morning midterms that have your nurse-roomies chained to their desks, you never quite know when you'll get the next night out with them. So when they want to go out on a Thursday night, you better take the opportunity while you have it!
19. You'll always have a buddy when you want to stay in on a Friday night.
From early morning clinicals to the pure exhaustion of a long week of studying, your roommates may not always want to go out either. So the anti-social couch bum in you will appreciate the movie nights and a 9 p.m. bed time that only nursing majors and wannabe grandmas can take pride in.
20. You'll always be jealous of their work uniforms.
Is there anything more comfortable than scrubs? No. Have I actually ever tried on a pair of scrubs? No. But they look comfy and you don't have to worry about picking out your outfit in the morning, so that is good enough for me!
21. As with any college senior, there will be a healthy amount of mental breakdowns in your apartment.
Nursing majors are no exception. In fact, I believe they are granted a few extra mental breakdowns per semester given the amount of tests and info they have stuffed in their craniums.
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