I call this nurse brain we know these people intimately but block out their personal info outside of the patient care field I used to say I know their medications, their diagnosis but probably not their name outside of the care field.

I imagine you see a LOT of faces!

I’m also a nurse, but in a town of 3,000 people on an island. In Alaska. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had somebody come up to me in the grocery store and thank me for taking care of them or their relative. I smile and say that I’m very glad they’re feeling better. Often I haven’t a clue what their name is. What’s even worse, my daughter is now married into a local family, so I’m likely talking to a relative and still can’t put the face together with a name.

I am somewhat similar as Ed Assistant for decades and moved to lots of schools and was embarrassed when I didn’t remember kids or families - usually I recognized their faces but couldn’t remember what school. Seems like students remember the staff - that’s nice especially for them to remember you even if you never interacted with them.