Being a young Nurse.

Nurses Men

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Well, here is my story! I recently graduated from my Community College in Registered Nursing. But, you see I am only 18 years of age. Some reading might say this guy is full of B.S. but I kid you not. I graduated from high school when I was 16 years old but was also taking classes while I was in H.S. so I was pretty much ahead of the game as far as pre-reques into Nursing. I earned all kinds of academic awards at my Community College and many have said I should become a doctor but I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my mother who was as nurse for 35 years. But enough about that! I recently just started working as an RN at a local hospital 2 weeks ago. They have told me that I have a bright future with this hospital. They even pulled some strings for me to enter a RN to BSN bridge program which I will be starting. This may sound great and everything but they told me you have to start off working the Graveyard shift which I don't mind. I really finding it difficult to work with the older nurses who almost treat me as if I was their son. It just seems they treat me different since I am young. That is why I need some suggestions how I should deal with the settings of hospital and the people. This is something they don't teach you in Nursing School. Thanks!

Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

I am going to move this to the Male Nursing Forum

Can I just say when I went into nursing I was young as were nearly all of our group average age was 21yrs and we all got treated for years like we were kids.

You do not stay young forever and before you know it you will not be the youngest.

They might also treat you differently because you are new! Also being qualified at 18 is something of a novelty. You've only been there a couple of weeks - once they see that you're competent and diligent despite your age you'll soon become part of the team.

Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.
They might also treat you differently because you are new! Also being qualified at 18 is something of a novelty. You've only been there a couple of weeks - once they see that you're competent and diligent despite your age you'll soon become part of the team.
Agreed. Just work yer butt off and you will soon fit right in. Given that you made it through nursing school at such an amirably young age, I also suspct you have some pretty developed intellectual and interpersonal skills. Use them, Congrats on starting your career.

Dude, enjoy the attention! Let the ladies take care of you! When I was a young nurse 35 years ago the older female nurses treated me like their son, shoot, some of them treated me like I was their grandson. When I didn't know how to do something they took the time to show me in great detail how to do it right. If there was something special going on they made sure I got a chance to participate. And they fed me all the time (night shift of course)! I got such a great start that within 6 months I was the charge nurse over the CCU and the PCCU! That was unheard of back then. They supported me and took direction from me because they had "raised" me up. It was the best time of my work life! Enjoy it, it will soon be gone!

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

They are taking you under their wing and trying to teach you. They will have your back if you have theirs. always be willing to learn, and never be afraid to ask/give help. I was young as well when I started (27), and I eventually got married to a co-workers daughter. she's the love of my life. good luck. Just keep on doing it.

BTW that's awesome to have your degree at 18. but don't think that you know everything, defer to those with expeirence.

Dude, enjoy the attention! Let the ladies take care of you! When I was a young nurse 35 years ago the older female nurses treated me like their son, shoot, some of them treated me like I was their grandson. When I didn't know how to do something they took the time to show me in great detail how to do it right. If there was something special going on they made sure I got a chance to participate. And they fed me all the time (night shift of course)! I got such a great start that within 6 months I was the charge nurse over the CCU and the PCCU! That was unheard of back then. They supported me and took direction from me because they had "raised" me up. It was the best time of my work life! Enjoy it, it will soon be gone!

x2

Work this in your favor... Being young (and smart) has its advantages. Go to work, try hard and do well. You will move up the ranks quickly

Well I think that being able to be something as great as being a nurse at the age of 18 is a spectacular thing. I personally believe that being treated as a child is something special. You gain the experience and wisdom of others as they pass on knowledge and guide you along.

My advice is to accept the treatment and view it as optimistically as you can because you are as people already stated, "are only young once."

Live and learn :p.

Specializes in Early Intervention, Nsg. Education.

21 years ago, I was in the same situation. I graduated HS at 16 and went right into a Practical Nursing program. When I graduated, I wasn't eligible to take boards with my class because I was only 17. Graduate nurses were able to work in the hospitals as GPN's or GN's since boards were only held 2 or 3 times a year. When I started working med/surg, I needed a work permit! I wasn't able to work nights until I turned 18, and thankfully I was able to sit for boards shortly after my birthday.

I experienced the same "Mom-kid" relationship with my classmates, and truly expected the same kind of treatment when I started the job. Sure enough, it wasn't long before I was "the kid" instead of "the new nurse." If you thought being the new nurse on the floor was rough.....:uhoh3:

Your competency as a nurse (and your acceptance by your co-workers) has more to do with maturity than chronological age. Teens, college students, and nurses have social structures that are very different from each other. Being on the youngest part of the curve puts you at a real disadvantage. If I had it to do over again, I would have taken part in social activities that would have helped me develop adult communication/socialization skills so that I would have had a better shot of fitting in as a peer rather than a novelty. Sure, I had a great time with the other floor nurses and learned a whole lot, but when the stuff hit the fan, my co-workers wanted assistance from a nurse, not a kid.

One last note...if you're thinking about getting your BSN, do it as soon as you can afford it. If you put it off for a little while, it can end up being put off for longer than you can imagine. When I graduated with my bachelors I intended to take a few years off...the next time I set foot in a classroom, I was old enough that my classmates could have been my children! :eek:

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I, am a young nurse, at age 24 now, I've been a RN for 4 years. I am treated like the 'know-nothing youngster' everyday but like other responses have noted, I take advantage of the knowledge I receive from the seasoned nurses. It takes time to prove yourself but when that day happens, you have a built a relationship with the older crew that isn't describable! You have taken their knowledge and used it to establish yourself and usually they appreciate that as much as you do. Never take for granted the insight the seasoned nurses provide for they are our foundation! I can admittedly say too, I enjoy the attention! I bond a lot easier and quicker with the older generation because I respect them! My advice to you, try to absorb all the insight and knowledge you can from them, it'll make you a better person and nurse!

Specializes in ER, ICU.

Its part of growing up. People treat you as they see you. You are very young to be in the biz, but just keep your head on straight, soak up all the knowledge you can, and soon you'll be the old salt.

Specializes in Critical Care/Vascular Access.

No matter what social sphere you're entering, whether it be work or school or whatever, there will ALWAYS be a first impression you make on your peers. In your case, your age is what first defined you. The good news is, while first impressions may always stick with you a little, your real reputation is built over time. So wait it out. Do your job to the best of your ability. Be an asset not only to your patients but to your coworkers as well. Eventually they will see that you are a competent and skilled coworker that they value having around. In the mean time though, learn from the oldies on your floor because they know a hell of a lot more than you will ever learn in school. Seriously, never underestimate how much an experienced nurse knows (even when their techniques and terminology aren't always textbook), and never overestimate how much you know just because you breezed through nursing school. Let the petty stuff about your age roll off your back and once you've proved that you are an asset to the team, your age will just be a playful jab someone brings up from time to time and no longer what defines you.

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