Did being unattractive hurt your career?

Nurses Career Support

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While I'm not trying to be a troll, I sometimes feel that for me, that may be true.

It's not my weight, it's my face mostly. I have had coworkers and pts complain about my face, saying I looked mean. One just told me I was ugly. I don't purposely look mean, it's just the way my face is.

I'm thinking I have a neutral face, but apparently it looks mean to others. One time, I had an interview at a ltc facility and the nursing supervisor came out, looked at me, and went back into his office. No hello, nothing.

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.

I'm not unattractive but I understand what you mean. People are always asking me what's wrong or if I'm ok and if I'm having a bad day. For some reason my blank face looks like I'm mad or sad and ppl always ask. I've been dealing with it all my life. I just try to fake smile as much as possible. I dnt think that being ugly hurts people's careers but I do believe that attractive people have a easy time in life in general.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Luckily, my hospital had an opening for an ugly NICU nurse. I got the job!

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Our hospital killed two birds with one stone when they hired me - ugly and mean!

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in Emergency.

My best friend (not unattractive) has one of those mean faces, it is what drew me to her. I literally remember thinking "wow, she looks like a b-, I must get to know her!"

Seriously, don't sweat this, anyone with half a brain can look past superficial appearance.

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Specializes in ER.

While I appreciate your post, OP, you really should check your grammar and sentence structure. Posting as though you're texting gets old.

Everyone makes assumptions about people. Some people look blank, happy, or angry. People need to realize their own judgments and choose to overlook them then carry on. Some people have natural scowls, while others look sleepy. Most people know that how someone looks does not warrant how to treat someone. Meaning, just because you think someone looks mean, doesn't mean that they are mean. Though with a beautiful face or handsome one, people place attributes like "she's a witch or he's cocky." There are many examples of these unfair judgments, stereotypes, etc.

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While im not trying to be a troll,i sometimes feel that for me,that may be true.

Its not my weight,its my face mostly. I have had coworkers and pts complain about my face,saying i looked mean. One just tokd me i was ugly. I dont purposely look mean,its just the way my face is. Im thinking i have a neutral face,but apparently it looks mean to others...

Hey, at least you KNOW you look a little mean; my wife always looks grumpy/sad when she's got her "neutral" face on, and I guess I was the first to tell her. Of course, when I am around she's all smiles :inlove:

If I were you I would keep on with the "fake" smiles, and especially smile a bit when someone catches your eye. Otherwise you'll have to endure countless "You Okay?" inquiries.

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Maybe you should try smiling more.

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ugh... the mean face or smile more nonsence....nothing to do with being ugly or unattractive... both types of women get that. do men? are these stupid, obnoxious comments made to men whose neutral face looks less than chipper or just to women? only certain people get these comments even some that never smile don't get them. when theytell you to smile either glare at them or reply , " say sething amusing!"

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Specializes in ER.
ugh... the mean face or smile more nonsence....nothing to do with being ugly or unattractive... both types of women get that. do men? are these stupid, obnoxious comments made to men whose neutral face looks less than chipper or just to women? only certain people get these comments even some that never smile don't get them. when theytell you to smile either glare at them or reply , " say sething amusing!"

my husband gets that all of the time. People ask me if he's upset or mad. There's a frown line, but that is more from squinting. Oh well. Who cares, anyway....

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I'm not unattractive but I understand what you mean. People are always asking me what's wrong or if I'm ok and if I'm having a bad day. For some reason my blank face looks like I'm mad or sad and ppl always ask. I've been dealing with it all my life. I just try to fake smile as much as possible. I dnt think that being ugly hurts people's careers but I do believe that attractive people have a easy time in life in general.

REply: While its true that 'goodloking' people fair better in careers and marriage. Same with taller people. It doent mean there is no room for us 'average joes'. I dont get why nurses are so rude and unkind to ea other. Kil em with kindness. Goodluck.

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i am not sure how to take this thread.......:bag:

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