Too young to be a nurse??

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Hello, I have a friend who was telling me that the younger the person goes into nursing field the more they're looked down upon by other nurses.:confused: I would thing that if we were being judged it would be by our work skills not our age.I am starting feel like I am a little naive about these things but I would really like to know. So, just out of curiosity how old was the youngest nurse you have worked for? How are younger nurses seen in your work enviroment? Is there really that much of a discrimination on age? I would like to know of any personal experiences or comments about this matter.:)

Specializes in MDS/ UR.

I was all of 20. I was the second youngest in the class by a few days

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Hello, I have a friend who was telling me that the younger the person goes into nursing field the more they're looked down upon by other nurses.:confused: I would thing that if we were being judged it would be by our work skills not our age.I am starting feel like I am a little naive about these things but I would really like to know. So, just out of curiosity how old was the youngest nurse you have worked for? How are younger nurses seen in your work enviroment? Is there really that much of a discrimination on age? I would like to know of any personal experiences or comments about this matter.:)

Part of it depends on the life experiences and ability to handle situations that require skills that not all 'younger' people have been exposed to. THere are some things that only come with age and time on the planet :) It's hard to deal with some things with patients when you haven't been around long enough to have a clue= it's not really about 'age' in general, but the ability to give the patient the support they need. That's not a fault of someone young- it just is :) JME

I was 19 when I started an ADN program, and 21 when I graduated. I was young. I was next to youngest in my class- and it was frustrating to not understand all of what the older ones were referring to- simply because of the lack of life experience.

A lot of the younger nurses I worked with (when I got older) were still focused on very superficial things, which was frustrating. And they had no interest in understanding why the older ones didn't care about their new shoes, or going to the bar, etc.... just had grown out of that phase of life. (and some of those were just annoying and jerks with no connection to nursing :D).

Best of luck :)

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I graduate nursing school at 20...just turned 21 this past Feb. I have had no problems. People are always willing to help me but I have never felt like I am looked down upon. I think it is all in how you present yourself!

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.

I am thinking that maybe some of the "not so nice" nurses that appear to be discriminating may be doing it because they are jealous they didn't make the same smart decision to get their education at a young age. I'm just saying...

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Plenty of 21-25 year olds here. And just because someone is 45 doesn't mean he/she has been a nurse for 23 years. sometimes pts are suprised by that. the 26 year old may have much more experience than the 55 year old.

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Hello, I have a friend who was telling me that the younger the person goes into nursing field the more they're looked down upon by other nurses.:confused: I would thing that if we were being judged it would be by our work skills not our age.I am starting feel like I am a little naive about these things but I would really like to know. So, just out of curiosity how old was the youngest nurse you have worked for? How are younger nurses seen in your work enviroment? Is there really that much of a discrimination on age? I would like to know of any personal experiences or comments about this matter.:)

OP, I'm thinking it was semantics and you meant to say "the youngest nurse you worked with ? If so, that team attitude, combined with a willingness to learn, will carry you far..... regardless of age.

If you did indeed mean, "the youngest nurse you worked for", then yes, you would likely have difficulty.

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Specializes in Orthopaedic Nursing; Geriatrics.

I became an LPN just after my 18th birthday. I think some of the staff probably didn't take me seriously until they realize I WAS serious! SO as many of the previous posters said, I think it depends on how you present yourself. I also know you will have to prove yourself too!

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Specializes in Renal.

21 year old RN. I haven't had anyone mention my age - if you act like a professional people will treat you like a professional. :)

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I graduated and was licensed at the age of 21, and I was a charge nurse and preceptor by 22. I never felt like age was a factor in how others felt about me. Work hard, act professional, practice safely, and be receptive to feedback.

:) Good luck!

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Specializes in Nephrology.
21 year old RN. I haven't had anyone mention my age - if you act like a professional people will treat you like a professional. :)

pretty much sums everything up here:yeah:

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

It isn't age- it IS maturity level. Huge difference between a "young"23 year old and a "mature" 23 year old..............It is all about maturity level..

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Specializes in Orthopaedic Nursing; Geriatrics.
21 year old RN. I haven't had anyone mention my age - if you act like a professional people will treat you like a professional. :)

I was always getting asked my age! It was funny, because they weren't used to such young nurses. I went to a vocational school during high school, so graduated LPN class at the same time as HS. I even had doctors ask to speak to the nurse in charge! I never got upset or anything - knew I was competent. I started carrying my license in my pocket. :nurse:

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