Being a young Nurse.

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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 PACU.

I'm pretty young compared to most of my coworkers (not the youngest anymore, though) and that's after I've been in nursing for several years (over 5 now if you count my LPN experience). I'm still younger than the kids of most of my colleagues, and that's OK.

My advice is just to roll with it and learn to appreciate the help and attention. Be positive, open to learning, and helpful. In a few years you'll be an old hand (or at least it'll seem that way).

Man, I'm feeling kinda old now. My hair is starting to go gray. It's just camouflage, though, I swear.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

certainly, i can relate to your experience regarding this issue. i earned my rn license at 18yrs. as well, however,looking back i embraced it as an advantage since every season nurse took me under their wing. having said that, don't stop your education go as far as you can, wishing you all the best in your future...aloha~

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