I am a very young nurse. Will my patients be frightened?

[youngandnursing]

Hi. I am a new graduate practical nurse. I will be an LPN soon, once I take the NCLEX-PN in a month or so. I just got a job at a LTAC hospital. I am 19 years old.

I was wondering, if you were my patient, would you be frightened that such a young person was taking care of you?

I have had alot of people tell me that I am mature for my age and I look about 22 years old, but I am worried that patients will get anxious that such a young person will be the one making life and death decisions.

[RN_SD1979]

When I was in nursing school, I volunteered to be one of the "victims" during a hospital disaster drill. As I sat in the ER waiting to be "treated" for my "injuries", one of the doctors came up to me and asked me, "So, what do YOU want to be when you grow up?"

I said to the doctor, "Umm...I'm going to be 30 this year, I think I'm pretty much grown up!"

As long as you maintain your professionalism, I'm sure you'll do fine! Good luck in everything!

[eldragon]

Yeah, I figure once I show them that I am intelligent enough to take care of them, they won't have any qualms. But I am also concerned about older nurses making my age a huge deal. I used to work in a doctor's office as a medical assistant and everyone there brought up my age when conversing with me. It's like they don't see me as a competent, itelligent professional just because I am young.

I work in a LTC facility with two 19-year-old nurses. One patient with dementia has been fighting care provided by these nurses for months now. She says "leave me alone young-uns!" The nurses always have to get help to get certain tasks done.

That's not usual though.

A nurse at any age should be able to perform tasks they are trained for. Experience in life and on the job does build confidence in the nurse and her patients. That's not just limited to age.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I have patients mention my age once in awhile, usually in the form of joking comments- "What are you, 13?" or if I mention something about when I was in high school, or when I was a kid, "When, last year?"

But in the end, if you're confident, respectful, and competent, they're not going to be "scared."

I do make sure and wear my RN name badge in clear view so they don't doubt my qualifications.

I have more of a problem with some of the aids who have been there forever, have 30 years of age on me, and definitely don't want me telling them what to do.

[vashtee, RN]

Enjoy it while it lasts. Your youth won't last forever, and then you will have patients who will be scared because you are too old.

[WahooRN08]

This is too funny! I remember when I was an LPN, I was 19 when I completed my training program. Prior to that, I was a nursing assistant from the time I was 18. I am currently an RN at the ripe old age of 23! Your patients will not fear you if you remain professional at the appropriate times and also have the ability to remain human. To my knowledge, I have never had a patient fear me for my age. Good luck to you, keep your chin up! You will do well!

A

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

***A Patients View***

You have to know I am young myself, 21, but here goes my opinion.

When I have a young nurse, it doesnt really phase me, if they look REALLY young (I had one that looked about 12) I do a double take but don't really worry about it. I am in some ways more comfortable asking the young nurses for help with things, unless there is a nurse I have had previously around. Like the last time I was inpatient post-op, one of the days I had 2 REALLY young nurses (one had been a nurse for a year the other had just passed the boards 1 month prior and was still on preceptorship). I got very comfortable with them, which was good because due to issues with the person answering the call light not telling anyone I needed to pee, I ended up wetting the bed 2 times (I totally would have just gotten up and gone by myself but I was on an IV and the IV pole was attatched to the bed.) So, to me age doesn't matter. If you show me you know what you are doing, and that when you don't know you don't just mess around, you ASK FOR HELP!! As a patient I have 200X more respect for a nurse of any age who asks for help when they need it, or are just unsure, then a nurse who tries to do something they don't really know how to do. Just my

[pshs_2000]

I'm 27. I became a nurse when right before I turned 26. 99% of my patients think I'm under 21 (usually 17-18 is their "if I saw you on the street" guess). It has not affected my practice or my ability to deliver high quality nursing care. I don't think it will be a problem for you. Confidence will carry you far. Much success in your career!

[SoundofMusic]

Well, as long as you seem to know what you're doing, it should be fine. Remember, you are also never truly alone -- or at least you shouldn't be. There are other RN's around, as well as hopefully an MD following the patients -- stress that you're all there as a team to take care of the patients -- that may also alleviate their fears, and yours. Always does mine.

[redranger]

Shouldn't be a problem

My wife is a RN. She is only 21 with braces and Asian. I sure she looks young to some.....

[daisydoll]

I'm 25 and I get patients all the time asking me if I'm old enough to be a nurse, or if I'm a student. I'm really sick of hearing it! And like someone else mentioned, I get patients trying to set me up with their sons haha. I am confident in my practice and once my patients see I know what I am doing, they don't bring my age up again! I think it will be nice when I am older and people still think I look young

[WalkieTalkie, RN]

LOL, I'm 27, and I still get that "you're too young" thing every now and again.

[meluhn]

Its all in how you carry yourself.