Am I too young?

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Ok so I'm a 21 yr old LPN. I feel so out of place at my job. Most of my co-workers(nurses and aides) are way older than me. I feel like I am not taken seriously because of my age. I don't tell most people how old I am but I definitely look it. I am done with my pre reqs for RN school, but I think I should maybe wait until I am older to enroll. I feel confident in my nursing skills but like I said, will I be taken seriously?

If you're mature enough to handle the workload and the dedication required to complete nursing school well, then go for it! :)

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

Carry yourself with confidence and age makes no difference. I have met 40 year olds that I wouldn't trust to do a med pass because they act unsure of themselves. Even if you do not feel confident in yourself at this time fake it. That does not mean to not ask questions when you do not know what to do or how to do it. However, ask the question in a confident and intelligent manner and people will respect more for it.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

I agree with all of the posts here. If you are acting in a professional way, how can anyone treat you with anything less than respect? Age is a number. Behavior, however is not measurable but rather perceived. Go get your RN! Hold your head high and know that you have the advantage of time. I wish I had started my nursing career at your age.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

I was a young RN and now I am an old RN been nursing 21years. Dont worry about it eventually they stop asking they dont ask me anymore LOL

Seriously young blood is great in nursing I love the young nurses they keep me on my toes.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
Carry yourself with confidence and age makes no difference. I have met 40 year olds that I wouldn't trust to do a med pass because they act unsure of themselves. Even if you do not feel confident in yourself at this time fake it. That does not mean to not ask questions when you do not know what to do or how to do it. However, ask the question in a confident and intelligent manner and people will respect more for it.

I cannot agree more with this. Confidence is everything. I was scrubbed in on a case when I first started in the OR and the surgeon looks at me and asks, "Have you ever done one of these before?" I said, "No sir, but I am intelligent and I know the basics, so if you are patient and willing teach me, I will listen to your instruction and will do well." He asked for me to assist him the next time he did this surgery because he saw that I was confident in myself and he enjoyed teaching me.

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Your only too young if you think you are. Life is usually a state of mind, and you have to truly believe in yourself and your abilities. You cannot let other people dictate how you want to live your life.

Good Luck!

:)

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Definitely don't wait! You can't delay your education and rising in your career because the rest of the people around you are older! Whether or not they take you seriously doesn't matter, what matters is that you perform your job well. There will always be the opportunity to have unsupportive coworkers, whether you get your RN now or 10 years down the road...if it's not your age, it'll be something else. I hope you go for it.

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Specializes in Psychiatrics.

I was 17 (I was a few weeks away from turning 18) when I started my LPN class, 19 when I started my RN classes. I was 21 when I finally passed my NCLEX... so...I know how ya feel....

My advice... if you feel that YOU are ready, then GO FOR IT!!!!

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Specializes in Psych, EMS.

21 y/o LPN doesn't sound too young to me at all. By the time you finish your RN program you will be the same age or even a bit older than the traditional college students graduating with you.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Why was this?

Why do you ask? :cool:

It was the 70s. I may have been going for the Joan Baez- Buffy Sainte-Marie look. Hippie chic was all the rage at my hospital back then. Luckily all my patients were under 3 months old so even if they thought we looked unprofessional they couldn't have said anything about it. :)

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Specializes in Critical Care/Coronary Care Unit,.

don't you dare wait until you're older to enroll in school to become an rn. i became a rn when i was 21 years old and now i'm 23. trust me, your patients could care less how old you are. all they care about are your skills. go for it! don't let your youth hold you back. :)

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Go for it, don't let your age stop you.

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