I am a copy editor. I read magazine pages and check them for factual and style errors. But twice in the past two weeks, I’ve been asked if I was a nurse, and I have no idea why.
The first time was when I saw my family doctor when it looked like I had strep a couple weeks ago, then it happened again when the pediatric CPR instructor asked me the same thing over the weekend. My only guess is that it’s because of how I listen to people when they’re talking to me. I do my research beforehand, and I tend to nod and acknowledge that I have a previous understanding of what they’re talking about (and they’re not talking to a dummy) or to let them see that I comprehend the new information they’re telling me. I did that in both situations recently, and that’s the only link I can figure out. Aside from that, I’m at a loss.
I had to resist laughing both times I was asked if I was a nurse, though. Some people are made for the job, and I really admire that, but I am not one of those people! The thought of piercing someone’s skin with a needle to draw blood or give a shot makes me weak in the knees, so I think I’ll just stick with dealing with commas, not comas.
