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?

I graduated in may and i'm almost 23 but i look younger than my age. I just started out in pediatric home health.. after meeting my first patient, the mother said she didn't want me because she thought i was too "young". It bummed me out a bit at first, but I try not to let it get to my head.

Thanks for everyones encouragement on here! =)

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If you are hold enough to graduate from nursing school and obtain the license, you are old enough to do the job. Don't delay RN school because of your looks. Your LPN license proves you are old enough.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

You shouldn't put your own dreams and goals on hold for what others might think. Maybe some people won't take you serious, maybe they all will. At the end of the day it doesn't matter. Do your job and do it well and don't let anyone else bring you down.

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Specializes in PACU.
I graduated in may and i'm almost 23 but i look younger than my age. I just started out in pediatric home health.. after meeting my first patient, the mother said she didn't want me because she thought i was too "young". It bummed me out a bit at first, but I try not to let it get to my head.

Thanks for everyones encouragement on here! =)

Ouch. Don't take it personally, though. It's just the inappropriate bias of one person--it'd be no different than her saying "I don't want a black nurse" or "that nurse is too fat." Others will be able to recognize you based on your nursing merits.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
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. :)

LOL. I sure would love to know how many posters here have no clue who either of these singers are. :D

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I recognize the name of Buffy but sure can't recollect any of her songs! Joan Baez a little more familiar to me. Just yesterday morning I was listening to a radio station playing way, way old songs, big band era and such, and I realized I recognized them from my childhood. Gettin' old.

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I am starting a BSN program in a couple months. I have been a CNA for 2 years and always act professional with my job but I JUST turned 20...I will have my BSN when I'm 22....it worried me that I won't be respected, taken seriously or have people hate me or resent me...delegating tasks to women who work below me that are older than me will be strange...I would always be respectful but it will be strange.

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I know how you feel. Im a 22 yr old RN and when I come in to fill out an application they say, "oh for the CNA position." I say, "No, RN" and their mouths open wide and they say wow!!!!!There's residents out there who are only 24 or 25 yrs old and they're cutting people open. You're fine. Just do the job right

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I know how you feel. Im a 22 yr old RN and when I come in to fill out an application they say, "oh for the CNA position." I say, "No, RN" and their mouths open wide and they say wow!!!!!There's residents out there who are only 24 or 25 yrs old and they're cutting people open. You're fine. Just do the job right

That's not young at all for an RN.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

If you go to college in the fall following high school graduation you would be 21 when you got your BSN. That's how most people did it in the past (or they could go to a 3 year diploma school and be out by 20). I guess because so many people wait, change careers, and take online courses the average age of a nursing student is older.

The average surgical resident is over 25 years old.

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Specializes in LTC, Subacute Rehab.

I was licensed at 20. Just do your job well, stay out of workplace drama, and don't giggle too much. :cool:

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I know how you feel. Im a 22 yr old RN and when I come in to fill out an application they say, "oh for the CNA position." I say, "No, RN" and their mouths open wide and they say wow!!!!!There's residents out there who are only 24 or 25 yrs old and they're cutting people open. You're fine. Just do the job right

but the LPN's and CNA's you have to ever delegate to that are older or more experienced than you...do they hate/resent you for it?

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