Younger Nurses: Do you find people dont take you seriously? (semi-rant)

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 20, 2005

The worst is when you go to get your car fixed. Since hubby was gone for so long, and our truck was acting up, I had to take it to the shop several times.....not only do they think I don't know anything because I am a woman, but the guy actually told me that I needed to come back with my daddy so he could explain what was wrong with the engine to someone who could understand, calling me sweetheart and such.

I certainly enjoy my youth and I am grateful for it....but it does become a hindrance and annoying when you deal with snide comments day after day.

kadokin, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2005

I understand all of you! I am 25 and get ID'd for LOTTERY TICKETS!!! People always say, "Wow-I thought you were 17." It drives me nuts! I am small and don't wear make-up, which I am sure contributes. But when I see how SOME teenagers dress and do their make-up...oh my gosh! They look older than I actually am!
But just think-we are going to look so HOT when we are in our 50's!!:chuckle

EGGZACTLY. You will be SO glad when you hit your later years that you look so young. In the meantime, keep your composure and your professional demeanor and those that question your competence/experience will be proved OH SO WRONG. Stand up for yourself, you have what it takes!

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Dec 20, 2005

I always get it. I am 27, own a home, several cars, am married and have a child. Pts dont believe I am old enough to be an RN. I look like I am in my early 20's, and am only 5'4" and small featured. I like to see the look on their faces when I tell them my age. It makes me feel younger. :chuckle

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 20, 2005

I just wanted to add one more thing.
About 2 weeks ago a salesperson was walking door-to-door in the neighborhood and knocked on my door. I answered and he immediately said, "I need to speak to the lady of the house."
I responded, "You're speaking to her."
He said, "Oh. I had to make sure, because you looked young."

Off topic, but I have had that too, and replied, "well sorry you came to the wrong house; no ladies living here" and shut the door.:rotfl: I just hate door to door sales and phone solicitations. I realize people gotta make a buck, but DANG who do they EXPECT is the "lady of the house" ---my mom? (I get that a lot on the phone, "is your mom there"? I must sound young? Anyhow I am known to reply, "nope she is in Chicago about 2000 mi east of me, want her number?" and I hang up.)

It happens. I just keep my sense of humor about it.

gr8rnpjt, RN · Dec 20, 2005

Off topic, but I have had that too, and replied, "well sorry you came to the wrong house; no ladies living here" and shut the door.:rotfl: I just hate door to door sales and phone solicitations. I realize people gotta make a buck, but DANG who do they EXPECT is the "lady of the house" ---my mom? (I get that a lot on the phone, "is your mom there"? I must sound young? Anyhow I am known to reply, "nope she is in Chicago about 2000 mi east of me, want her number?" and I hang up.)
It happens. I just keep my sense of humor about it.

SmilingBluEyes, to me you look and talk like Marilyn Monroe, because when I joined allnurses you had the picture of Marilyn in your profile. You always say the right thing and you are a smart and very sensetive woman.

But when I picture you speaking, I picture Marilyn Monroe :rotfl:

Q. · Dec 20, 2005

I also have been attacked on these boards disagreeing with other nurses on certain issues....their reasoning being that I am young and know nothing about said issues. It is really quite frustrating.
I may be young, but I am still an intelligent, articulate young woman with thoughts and oppinions about world issues, nursing issues, and life issues.

Exactly. Most often, especially when I post, the next reply will be "how long have you been a nurse and out of school?" as if that matters what my opinion is.

I am 32 but still look quite young. I have long straight hair, always have, and alot of times when I was staffing patients would ask if I was their nursing assistant or if I was a student, especially when wearing it back in a ponytail. It was very frustrating.

In my current role, I think it's even more difficult because I'm in a position where my opinion should be counted and I make recommendations/decisions at a very high organizational level that impacts alot of departments and people. I've found that I often have to "over-dress" just so they will see past my youth and the long hair. And no, I don't want to get it cut.

People are always shocked when they find out my real age. And even MORE blown away when they find out I'm a mom!

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 20, 2005

You know that saying, a few bad apples ruin the whole bunch. Well, that seems to be the case when it comes to age. Since there are so many young people you see in the media that are not driven, just out to party, and don't feel they will suffer any consequences....the sterotype gets placed on us all.

Emery · Dec 20, 2005

But just think-we are going to look so HOT when we are in our 50's!!:chuckle

Well said, my friend, well said. lol. :chuckle I have the exact same problem. You just have to prove them wrong. It isn't always easy, but it can be done. I am 20 and even at work now (fast food) people think I'm 13 or 14. It isn't because we look young, but because we are short (I am 4 feet 10 inches tall). They are only looking at our height. I used to get really upset, but not any more. Have any of you had to problem of people being rude about it? You can actually have fun with it..... (I am known for being a jokester) :-D

Emery

MIA-RN1, RN · Dec 20, 2005

I am 36 and my son is 17 and you should see the reactions I get when I mention it lol At the job I worked the summer, I had all the young guys hitting on me til I finally made a point of mentioning my son's age and the fact I have been married for quite some time.

When I am in my student whites, with my hair back in a ponytail and very little makeup, patients have actually asked me if I am fresh out of high school. (Don't I wish lol)

A woman came to my door once and asked to speak to my mother!

I got carded for a lottery ticket this past summer, I was with my kids, and the guy apologized and thought that I was my son's girlfriend! IIck lol

I find that I have to carry myself a certain way to get looked at like I know what I am doing. I tend to smile and make little jokes which is fine but I have to be extra-serious when seriousness is called for because its the only way for people to see that I do know what I am doing, I am not a 17 y/o high school student anymore. Not by a long shot! Its that darned ponytail but if I cut my hair short its even worse lol

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 20, 2005

SmilingBluEyes, to me you look and talk like Marilyn Monroe, because when I joined allnurses you had the picture of Marilyn in your profile. You always say the right thing and you are a smart and very sensetive woman.
But when I picture you speaking, I picture Marilyn Monroe :rotfl:

rofl I wish. Unless Marilyn was ever a woman with long curly waist-length red hair and blue eyes.....and only 5 feet 2.

I am no Marilyn Monroe. But I sure do love her.:)

And thank you for the kind remarks about my posts. That made my day. I am VERY sensitive but smart? The jury still out on that one...but I would take smart over pretty nowadays.

loquacity · Dec 21, 2005

If this is the case for you guys, I'll have the same problem. Im currently 17, and will be 17 for part of my first clinicals, which start in 2 weesk or so. My birthday is is (was?) right before the cut off date to be in the grade i was in during school years. I am the youngest in my class (att uni) and was almost always the yougest in my calsses at high svhool. lol

I just thought after reading all these, what if somethig went wrong and i had to eb held legally liabl;e, could they even hold me laible, b4 im 18. lol.

I've been told at tiem i looked 15, when i havn't done my hair and didn't ahve my glasses on, but yesterday i was told i looked 21 with my glasses on and hair done. Im not tall (for a guy) i'm only 5'8, but im taller than msot of my class.

but if i have problems, meh, i dont care all that much.

maybe im young, but i've woekred my but off my whole life.

spidermonkey · Jan 1, 2006

:p