Being young and being in nursing.

[StudentOfHealing]

Hello there,

Today I was thinking- I sure am young, and I'm taking on a lot of responsibility. I began to attempt to place myself in the shoes of the patients I care for. Let's say I'm in the hospital and I am being cared for by a young fresh face- I would be lying if I said I wouldn't be scared- especially knowing how little I know and how I have so much left to learn- so much that my lifetime will not serve to complete all the learning I must complete.

Seeing that young face- thinking "Wait a minute- that will take of [me] [my mom] [my daughter] [my wife]? I just turned Twenty years old- that's right folks. Not too long ago I was nineteen. It doesn't help that I have to have a baby face, especially when I shave! I honestly just shave because it can get annoying to manage my facial hair on top of my schooling and general life. Yes- facial hair is hard to manage, ladies. I guess, I guess I'm not asking for advice or anything. Unless you wish to contribute- go right ahead. :) Call it what you will ... venting- expressing- relating- articulating-.

Thank you for taking time to listen, or rather read!

Since I cannot alter my chronological and physical age, I will present myself with maturity and professionalism.

[corndog56]

Very well put!!! :)

[Fireman767]

Many studies show that the newer nurses and newer doctors are better than many veterans. The newer people pick up the smaller details and aren't "jaded" from years of experience or making a quick judgement. In the choice, Id prefer to have a younger over an older nurse, Ive seen some young nurses run circles around older nurses, and ive also seen the opposite with some great older nurses. Im not saying younger are always better, it really varies from nurse to nurse.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

moved for best response......

Fireman....I would like to see those studies..... could you reference them? I have not seen them. I am curious about their content.

OP....I graduated very young from high school. I became a nurse at the ripe old age of 18. I Owned my first home at 19. School was tough.....especially when we went to the inner city! It was very tough assimilating all that information let alone seeing naked male anatomy. I had quite the learning curve! My initial youthful Bravado and arrogance .....soon turned into humility and fear. By the time I was 21 I had 3 years critical care experience under my belt and moonlighted in the inner city ED.

Heck ,I wasn't even old enough to vote through most of nursing school...34 years ago no one cared that my Dad had to drive me to my first semester of college...many of them had no idea I just wasn't old enough to drive:shy:....I look back and I find to hard to believe.

Initially, when I first became a RN, I did get a few references from the patient to "Get the real nurse honey" and " You aren't' old enough to be a nurse" with demands for an "older nurse". I took no offense and learned to reassure the patients with confidence. I made sure I had outlets of fun and immaturity to be sure I could expel that youthful exuberance.

That was 34.... soon to be 35 years ago and I have never regretted a day. Already I see how much you have grown......I think you're going to be a fine nurse..:)

((HUGS))

[MrsStudentNurse]

You have a good attitude. It's much better to be humble than prideful in your abilities. I think we all can agree we'd rather have a nurse thats going to make sure what they're doing is correct rather than the one that is to arrogant to do so. Thanks for sharing your insight!

[i♥words]

I'm turning twenty in the very near future, and I know what you're saying. I feel incredibly young, not just because of my age, but because of my life experiences, or lack of them maybe. On top of that I'm introverted and shy. Some days I wonder why I even chose this profession. Oh yeah, I do remember. :)

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

OP,

I am in the same situation. I started my ADM program at 18. I graduate from nursing school in 6 weeks and I'm now 20. I will not be 21 until the latter part of this year. It is mind-boggling that people are actually offering me jobs.

One of the biggest things that I think people like us can do is try and find the balance between humility and assertiveness. People enjoy working with and have more confidence in a assertive, yet humble and willing to learn. I had/have the amazing fortune to work at a hospital in the float pool, PRN, as a CNA the year before and throughout nursing school, it help acclimate me to the world of healthcare. I started that job the day I turned 18.

I've learned to trust what I do know and Ask about what I'm not sure of. I've also enhanced my ability to tactfully introduce new EBP, at the most appropriate time, to more experienced or older people. Everyday I see more and more how capable nurses and individuals are.

As long as we stay open to learning and never get "full of ourselves" I think we will be off to a good start! I wish you the best in my studies dude!

[blackvans1234]

I think it's all about presenting confidence.

As for younger RN's/MD's being better, I am critical of that statement. There are things I used to miss and not even think about when in a patient room. Three years later i'm able to manage all of my thoughts / assessments much more efficiently.

And theory + clinical expertise trumps only theory with little clinical experience anyday.

Just my .02

[thelittledoe]

OP, I am in a similar situation. Although I am just starting nursing clinicals and I am 23 (almost 24) years old, I have the youngest looking face ever. I am a PCA right now on a surgical floor and I often get questioned, quizzed and looked at funny because of my "baby face". No matter if I wear my glasses, contacts, ponytail, messy bun, makeup, no makeup I look about 15 or 16. I had to care for an 18 year old yesterday who immediately asked "how did YOU get a job HERE?" and I asked what he meant and he said "aren't you like 16?"

Usually once I explain to my patients that I have already graduated from one bachelor's degree and am working on a second in nursing, they tend to ease up. Some though STILL don't believe me. I had a husband of a patient laugh and say "nice try, what high school do you go to?"

All in all, I would say to just try to make your patients feel as comfortable as possible and if they are still nervous about you being "fresh faced" assure them that there are plenty of nurses on the floor to help out in case they have a problem that you cannot immediately fix on your own.

[Morainey, BSN, RN]

Yeeeeeah... I'm slightly skeptical that younger RNs and MDs are better than older ones. They might have more energy and enthusiasm, but I doubt they have the breadth of experience-based knowledge that older healthcare workers have.

[Stephalump]

First of all, current nursing climate is so weird, NO one should judge the knowledge of a nurse by his or her age. I know 28 years old RNs with quadruple the experience of some 50 year old career changers

That aside, new nurses bring things to the table. We have enthusiasm. We have new ideas. We have fresh backs for all the bending. We have sponges for brains - soaking up the knowledge of those who came before us.

I'm sure if asked, patients would choose the nurse with 30 years of experience. I would to. But every nurse with experience had to start with zero experience. Then 1 year. Amateurs are necessary to create experts :-)

Fake it til you make it. Carry around your books, find a mentor, ask questions, but when you walk in the room...pretend like you've been doing this for years. Your patients will feel more comfortable and you'll increase your self-esteem along the way.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Before this goes further down to old v. New nurses, the OP is presenting humility and empathy. Kudos to you!!! :)