Did being unattractive hurt your career?

[smartnurse1982]

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.

[EsthyLady]

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.

I think it's hard sometimes to smile and act like everything is happy-go-lucky when most medical settings are less than festive. I mean, I would actually be a little freaked out if all the nurses where I work looked really happy and like they couldn't care less about all the sick people they are responsible for. On the other hand, no one loves a nurse ratchet face. I think it's a hard balance to strike sometimes!

[Amnesty]

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

There is nothing in this original post that would warrant that nasty comment.

Not any more. Somebody cleaned it up. I'll vouch and say it was pretty bad at first iirc. Commas everywhere, not a period in sight.

[CaitlynRNBSN]

We had a nurse once who had a birth mark on her face. She is a great nurse with an awesome personality. One of those nurses, if you were in a code you would want her there!!! But her birth mark was a little distracting until you got to know her, it just didn't matter anymore. I was the night nurse getting report from her. When I had a moment alone with my patient after this nurse left she goes "Oh thank god. A different nurse I can talk to. is there any chance she is not my nurse tomorrow? I don't know what is wrong with her face but I don't want to catch it." seriously?? It's so tempting to not want to punch someone in the face for saying that about my coworker...especially someone like her. She has since gone and moved on to a different position at another hospital, but any facility would be lucky to have her.

[RNFiona]

I know your pain.

****** resting face. I have it too. I have an underbite. I can't help it:(

I am always getting arrested by the smile police.

[DedHedRN]

lol, I was driving to see pts today when I looked in the rear view mirror, and thought to myself..."Oh, my, do you have a bad case ****** resting face today!"

[Satori77, ADN]

I'm guessing I have that face too. I'm told I have a nice smile, but I am just not one of those people that can plaster a smile on my face 24/7. And honestly, I wonder about people who do. Now when I pass someone in the hall to say hi, I always smile. But just all the time? No. And I do get the "Are you mad?" "Are you tired?" Type comments all the time. No, it's JUST MY FACE! It is aggravating sometimes. I am a pretty friendly person, shy at first maybe, but I always go out of my way to be nice to people, to be helpful. So when I hear that a friend says they were intimidated by me when they first met me because they thought I looked like a ****, it is a little hurtful. But I can't do anything to change how I look. I still try to be polite, friendly and helpful. Knowing that when people actually get to know me, they realize I am a nice person.

And honestly, I would rather be that than the person with the phony smile all the time that is nasty behind your back.

[Satori77, ADN]

i have trouble with people thinking I am under 18 years old......they always ask me "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" I may appreciate looking younger someday, but just not at the moment

Yep, I get this all the time too. I think it is more frustrating than the angry face comments. I am almost 36 years old, and many people still think I am a early 20's, or even a teenager! You should hear some of the comments I get when people realize I have a 10 year old daughter. (Were you 12 when you had her? I mean, seriously, how rude!).

Everyone says I will appreciate it when I am older. And I bet when I am 50 and look 30 (God willing), it will be lovely. But right now, it is hard for people to take me seriously.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

No.

Being beautiful didn't help in the slightest, either.

[smartnurse1982]

Thanks to all who responded.

I didnt realize this was pretty common.

I will try to smile more,but its hard,esp working with children that probably wont make it to adulthood.

[smartnurse1982]

Not sure why the grammar police are on Allnurses.

im on a tablet,so forgive the typos.

[rntravlon]

I get asked all the time-"are you tired,you look tired"-Now I just say Nah need an eye lift , want to donate?

[RainMom]

When I start getting the "you look tired" comment more frequently, I know it's time for a haircut. My hair is thin & the longer I let it grow, the more drained I look. I also tend to squint; hubby's often asking what I'm *** off about this time when I'm perfectly content.