All of a sudden, I find myself surrounded by nurses. A new friend I just met, Maya, has just enrolled in TAFE nursing courses and is planning to earn her diploma of nursing. Her older sister is also a nurse, and their mother is a retired nurse. A new neighbor who recently moved to our city is a certified nurse midwife with more than 25 years worth of experience.

Last night on the phone, Maya and I were talking about some of the things parenting and nursing have in common. From there, we started telling nursing jokes. Maya tells me there are 7 obvious signs that your mother is probably a nurse:

1. Your Family's Medicine Cabinet Is Fully Stocked

Your family could survive World War III, a gang drive-by shooting or the Apocalypse with all the meds and other supplies your mom has stashed at home. She’s provided you with an assortment of antibiotics, pain medications, and shots plus alcohol pads, gauze and bandages in every size ever manufactured.

2. There's No Such Thing as a Boo Boo

Your friends all had "ouchie spots", "boo boos" and "felt yucky" from time to time. Not you. You're totally up on all your medical jargon. When you fell off your bike and landed in some rocks, you explained to your mom that you had a painful bleeding laceration surrounded by several abrasions.

3. If You Aren't Hemorrhaging, Unconscious or Dying, Everything Is Just Fine

Something has to be seriously wrong for mom to even think about taking you to the emergency room. You have a fever? No need to see a doctor. Mom will plop you in the bathtub and give you a sponge bath. If she determines you need medication, she has it available. In the unlikely event that you do go to the ER, at least you don't have to wait in line. Mom's colleagues will take care of you fast.

4. Hand Washing With Anti-Microbial Soap Is Not Optional

Failing to wash your hands is one of the gravest offenses at your place. Hibiclens is your mom's favorite soap brand, and it is available in what seems like an unlimited supply -- so you are obligated to use it.

5. Faking Sickness Is Not Even a Remote Possibility

Your friends might have been able to get away with pretending to be sick to get an occasional day off school -- but no way on earth could you possibly fool your mom.

6. Nobody at Your Place Talks to Mom Until After She's Taken a Shower

Who knows what strange and unwelcome germs might have hitched a ride home with mom after her last shift at the hospital? Until she has fully lathered up, rinsed off and changed clothes, hugging her is off limits.

7. You Had a Hard Day? Mom's Day Was Much Harder

Your hardest day: You flunked your life science quiz, and you had to stay after class to meet with your teacher. Your mom's hardest day: A couple of her patients died, even after she was on her feet for 12 hours straight doing everything in her power to help them recover.

Here's to all the hard-working nurses out there like Maya and her family! I appreciate all you do.