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

[delphine22]

I'm in my mid-30s, but I guess scrubs make me look young. I assume this is the reason why I am often asked by my patients, "How long have you been a nurse?"

I am a second-career nurse, and the answer is somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 1/2 years. And I've only been in the ICU setting for 6 months.

So I find myself lying to my pts a lot. 5 years seems a nice round number. I don't want them to doubt my competence as a result of my lack of years of experience.

I'm sure it's a silly hangup. I'm just wondering if other people do the same, or if you don't, do you have a smarty-pants retort if they make a comment about how you haven't been a nurse very long?

P.S. They ask me this during our first meeting, not because I've done something stupid or clumsy to make them think I'm inexperienced. I think it's purely my looks.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I usually get asked how long I have been an nurse. After I answer 13 years 14 in July (Man that makes me feel old LOL), I usually am promptly asked my age. I have no problem telling my age, but I make the pt guess first LOL. Some of the answers surprise me. I had a lady last year that thought I was 17! When I was in my 20's I would get asked if I was old enough to even be their nurse.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I usually get asked how long I have been an nurse. After I answer 13 years 14 in July (Man that makes me feel old LOL), I usually am promptly asked my age. I have no problem telling my age, but I make the pt guess first LOL. Some of the answers surprise me. I had a lady last year that thought I was 17! When I was in my 20's I would get asked if I was old enough to even be their nurse.

This is where my need to be funny would go awry:

Spouse of Patient: "Are you old enough to be his nurse?"

Nurse: "No".

[#NurseB]

I like to say "too long, I really should retire." or "well, I trained with Florence." Truthful answer is "I have been doing this for over 30 years."

I love it!!!!!

[Katie71275]

I have never lied. I started a new job in a new state in May of 14. I've been a L&D nurse since June 2013. If asked, I tell them about a year and a half+. I see no reason to lie.