Too ugly to be a nurse..?!?

Nurses General Nursing

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Before I begin... I want to say,

HELLO EVERYONE! I'm new to this site. I recently signed up after researching information on nursing and found this forum.

I'm in college studying health care sciences I'm trying to get into the LPN program. I know have the brains and I will make the grades but, I'm a little insecure about the way I look. I don't think I look like the average nurse you'll see in medical offices or hospitals.

1) I'm very short (5'0ft)

2) I weight 135 but I have tiny measurements & limbs. I'm like the size of an 12 year old.

3) My face.. isn't that hot either ������. I have a big nose, ance scarring and chin dimple. I hate!!!!

4) I could wear foundation to cover up the ance scarring but, I have super oily skin so, after hours of wearing it. My face is so greasy & shiny.

I know it sounds like I'm beating up myself, but, I'm not. I'm constantly overhearding people calling me, "ugly" or I look like a man. Idk... If I should apply for the program because of it.

I don't want anyone to not want me to touch them because of my physical appearance.

Might be a problem in Hollywood.....

Nope, you would be a perfect fit in Hollywood. I lived in Hollywood for 10 years and worked in a few hospitals in LA, trust me, like I said...you would fit right in!

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Specializes in EMS, LTC, Sub-acute Rehab.

Try to find something about you're physical appearance you can be proud of.

Work on fixing any underlying medical conditions with the appropriate treatment if necessary.

Learn to accept yourself for who you are. Not what you think others think you are.

Everyone has some type of God given gift or talent.

"Being open with your insecurities paradoxically makes you more confident and charismatic around others. The pain of honest confrontation is what generates the greatest trust and respect in your relationships. Suffering through your fears and anxieties is what allows you to build courage and perseverance." ~ Mark Manson, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
I'm going to take a different tack here and say that it's human nature to take note of a person who looks very different from most for whatever reason. But that's light years from someone finding those differences so disturbing they wouldn't want care provided by them. And I think you will find that for most patients, whether a nurse can competently do the job is far more important than any physical feature or combination of them.

I agree with the poster who suggested that nursing school may help your self esteem, which it sounds is far more the issue than your actual appearance. But I hope you find a trusted advisor or instructor you can share your concerns with, because it sounds like you can use some support as you navigate this. Please don't let your negative feelings about yourself prevent you from pursuing your goal to be a nurse. We need nurses at the bedside and you may well find that it's an area where physical attributes actually matter less than in many other fields.

Absolutely true that we are curious as human beings and do notice people that are at the ends of the bell shaped curve for "normal". Very tall people, very short people, people with a lot of freckles etc. I know a guy who had some pretty severe burns on his face. After "noticing" them a few times it got to where it wasn't even a thing. It's just who he is.

Heck, there is a woman with two heads (actually more like two women with one body) on TLC. I've seen the show a couple of times and have gotten over that they're different. It's fascinating to see how they walk, ride a bike, drive etc when they are essentially two people with control of half a body.

So yeah, at first people may notice you look different but you teach them how to treat you as a caring competent nurse and that's who they come to know.

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We all have flaws and things we don't like about ourselves. You seem like a very nice and sweet person. I hope you decide to apply for the LPN program and become a wonderful nurse; a very knowledgable and bright person. That's what matters in nursing, not appearance. I wish you the very best!

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

This, I promise you sister: Not a colleague in the world cares what you look like; they care what you do.

Fair warning: Some intoxicated, psychotic, or simply obnoxious patients *will* try to press your buttons - especially if you end up in the ED and they are amazingly good at finding your weaknesses. We had one such piece of work awhile back... she wasn't intoxicated or crazy, just mean, and she started insulting the nurse who was (a) young and (b) self-conscious about her weight and appearance and the barbs hit home. My poor colleague was left in tears. The charge nurse turned the tables on her and assigned me. I went in and quickly set firm, clear boundaries regarding her behavior and made it clear to her that I didn't really care what she had to say nor was I particularly sympathetic to the bit of pain that she was caused.

I wouldn't let your appearance dictate your career choice.

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Specializes in Hospice.

If beauty was a requirement I would not have been accepted to nursing school. I may not stop people in their tracks because of my looks, but I have saved more than one life because of my brains. I'll take brains over beauty any day.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
If beauty was a requirement I would not have been accepted to nursing school. I may not stop people in their tracks because of my looks, but I have saved more than one life because of my brains. I'll take brains over beauty any day.

Amen!!

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When a person is in need of care, the care we provide and the way we treat them FAR outweighs our appearance. People would rather receive good care from an "ugly" person than bad care from Ms America

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The fact that you want to make your living caring for and giving to others as a nurse makes you beautiful.

As others have said, take care of your skin, practice good grooming, wear nice scrubs. It will help your confidence.

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Specializes in ER.

I look like a potato and I've been nursing for years. Patients are generally less worried about physical appearance than the general population. They have their own physical flaws and insecurities. If you worked in pediatrics your height would be an asset.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.

You sound so nice and I hope your self esteem increases over time. I can tell you when my unit is super busy I'm not looking for attractive coworkers to stare at, I'm looking for competent and helpful coworkers to jump in and save me! I have some coworkers that I truly admire and cherish and it is not because they are supermodels... it is because of their skills, personalities and willingness to help and teach. You sound like a great person and I hope you become a great nurse!

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Dont be ridiculous nursing isn't about if you are attractive or not. It's about your heart and how much you care. Patients remember how you made them feel they could care less if you are ugly or cute. Being a nurse is about intelligence, being confident, direct, and caring. We are professionals and are judged on our skills. Focus on your studies, learn everything you can and you will be respected and admired for being a competent, professional nurse. You are worth more than you think now start believing it!

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