Do you lie when they ask, "how long?"

karlevensnemor · Jan 10, 2015

I simply reply "long enough to hate that question" they end up laughing in a discomforting manner and we move on from there ...but if they push it I tell them it's my first shift so I know everything by the book they usually leave the subject alone after that. They don't need to know how long I've been working here let my nursing skill and knowledge do the talking

delphine22 · Jan 10, 2015

Nice. Just the smarty-pants answer I was looking for. :-)

dah doh, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2015

When I was a new ICU nurse I'd answer "I've been with the hospital 3 years" which wasn't a lie but it didn't say exactly how many of those years where specifically in the ICU.

Now I answer "it's my first day"...after they get over the shock, they usually laugh at it.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jan 10, 2015

"Well, interestingly, my parents told me my masters in philosophy would not get me anywhere, and I had to admit they were right! So I went back for my BSN, and here we are a few years later...."

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2015

If you are insecure about how long you have been a nurse, I agree that the witty comebacks and humorous verbal quips are the most lighthearted way to handle the situation whenever patients do inquire.

"How long have you been a nurse?"

1. "Since last night!"

2. "Long enough to know my stuff!"

3. "I graduated this morning and you're my guinea pig!"

dishes, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2015

You will continue to be asked how long you have been a nurse throughout your career, it is a part of courteous conversation on the patient's part. Throughout my career, I have always answered this question truthfully and then asked the patient what they do for a living, followed by how long. It helps me to know my patient's life view and if they have any concerns about their work while they are in hospital. As an added bonus, I have learned about many interesting careers from these conversations.

Libby1987 · Jan 10, 2015

I've been asked that question from 22 to 50. I don't get the, "You're too young to be a nurse!" anymore lol. Now I get, "No way!"

I've never blatantly lied with a specific number but have chuckled and said things like, "Do I look brand new?", or something like that and then redirected the conversation. Always said with pleasant confidence, that's all they want.

Now I can say the real numbers but in the same manner.

danceyrun · Jan 10, 2015

I started at my job in March. "About a year or so."

proud nurse, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2015

I've been a nurse for 14 years, but only 3 have been as an RN and the others as an LPN. I don't lie about that, but I assume they mean how long have I been an RN. I don't get into that because my experience has been that they then want to know how old I am, why I went back to school, was it for more money, was it expensive, etc... That's more than I want or need my patients knowing about me.

#NurseB · Jan 10, 2015

I have the same issue. Some will tell me a look too young and others just simply ask.

I've only been an RN for a few months so I'm uncomfortable saying "9 months." What I usually say is that I was in pediatrics for 10 years (which I was, just not as an RN) and that I am fairly new to this facility. They don't seem to mind that answer and it usually redirects them into more questions about working with kids. I like the answer of "This is my first day!" that someone else suggested. I will definitely use that!

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2015

I'm honest. I don't see the point in lying about it. I've never had families or patients have a problem.