Work in medical fields can be both physically and emotionally draining. Nurses are often subjected to things that most other people don't deal with on a daily basis. This is the reason for the development of nursing humor, which is a special type of humor that is often only understood and appreciated by others in medical or health-related fields.

There are many jokes surrounding the interaction between medical personnel or even nurses and patients. These jokes don't usually contain offensive language; however, they may present the nurse as less compassionate or even unprofessional. Nurses are taught to be kind when dealing with patients and families, but they are human, too. Sharing jokes like this allows physicians or nurses to put a positive light on the negative aspect of their job and cope with patients and situations better.

One way that medical humor manifests itself is in the defining of various medical related terms in new or unique ways. One example of this can be seen in the nurse jokes that are made about the radiological test substance of barium. Often, this substance as well as the job it entails is referred to as 'undertaker'. It is important to remember to not be too overt with medical humor, however, as it may be easy to offend someone with one of these jokes.

Most nursing websites have a forum thread dedicated especially to funny occurrences, or to nursing humor. This offers an outlet for those jokes that are just too funny not to be shared. Frequently, these jokes are also spread through email or handouts available at nursing stations. There are even a few Internet sites dedicated entirely to nurse humor, and many dedicated to expressions of general medical humor as well.

Recent policy issues and undesired changes are sometimes involved in nursing humor. These issues can directly relate to nursing administration concerns, but can also involve government-sponsored health insurance issues. These topics can be easily discussed with nurses, as well as those not in the medical field. These jokes are the ones nurses share with family and friends.

You are sure to have heard nursing humor if you know any nurses or if you are married to one. There are many websites available on the internet that can offer explanations for the dry and satirical descriptions of nurses coping skills. It may help in understanding to look at these jokes from the nurses' point of view.