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.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I would be absolutely petrified :stone

HAHA J/K I have been a pt. many times and I was never scared of young nurses. I am often told "you can't be old enough to have 4 children" Half the time I laugh and say obviously I am, or I just go "I know right".

Be confident in what you are doing. The last thing a Pt. wants is a Nervous unsure nurse who is about to do something important to them. LOL

[marmsgirl]

He was a character but now looking back I realize he was embarassed and dealing with alot~questionable cancer, possible loss of sexual function, questioning himself as a man, not being able to care for himself...

[youngandnursing]

Humor goes a long way. If a patient questions you say, well I started nursing school was I was in grade school.

Haha! I like this one! I def. think I will try it! HAHA!

What I tell my students who are younger, you have to act very confident to gain your patient's trust.

Defenetely. I had a HUGE lession in confidence when I started as a medical assistant in a doctors office. The experience I gained there is worth everything to me. Even though I feel a bit nervous to start in a hospital, I feel confident I will learn fast and get it together very quickly. I already know alot of skills that I learned in the office. I thank God everyday for that experience, because I think I would be a nervous WRECK had I not gotten that vital experience!

On another note: Does't feel great to be so young but to already have a decent career ? ! I feel so blessed. Yesterday 12:28 PM

Very much so. I am very very very blessed, but I must say, it took HARD HARD work, determination, and turning down parties/social events to get this far...haha! Most people my age wonder WHY I don't go to parties very much and I just stare at them and think "Well, look where it got me!" I mean how hard is it to understand?! Work hard when you are young= party/relax for the rest of your life, work hard when you're older after partying your whole life= the school of hard knox. I just don't understand people my age. But oh well! Haha!

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

Patients frightened no, uncomfortable at times yes. I have had instances where looking younger than my age was disadvantage. Patient was in early 50's had a turp. I had tried several times to clean him up NO GO. He completely refused to have me (young woman) look at his "junk" let alone clean him up. I didnt know what to do..he needed cleaned up, couldnt do it himself, and refused to let me. Thankfully, one of my older nurses (friend too) helped me out. She walked in and told him she was cleaning him up. He said ok and spread legs wide for the clean up. Afterwards, she said quietly "old wins today". I enjoy looking younger and refuse stop dyeing my grays !

I have been thinking about this post. I realized that I do see this mans point. Especially being a young girl myself, I would be uncomfortable and embarassed to have a young guys (especially if he was good looking) clean me up in my nether regions. Or do anything intimate. My first full breast exam was done by a guy and it was ok but then he was in his 50's (old enough to be my dad). But someone my age :/

[diane227, LPN, RN]

You gotta walk in there with confidence and with organization. When stumped for a reply, say "let me check your chart". That is usually a great out.

[lllchillylll]

I was 18 when I started working, and I look like I belong in the 9th grade. Even to this day I could blend in with the high school crowd. I did get a LOT of **it thrown at me because most people (usally the patients) were like "I didnt know candy stipers could hand out medications" or "You're too young to be my nurse, I want someone older". They're not scared, but they're also not very comfortable. Some think its amazing that youre so young and think, "wow if this nurse is so young, she must of studied hard in school". While others aren't the nicest of patients. With co-workers, they basically saw me as their child and had a hard time taking orders from me. But I learned that if you are confident and don't seem timid, people will see you as older than you really are despite your appearance.

I also think it really helped that I started clinicals really young too. A 16 year old who just got her drivers license practicing on people way older than me make me grow up REAL quick.

If I may ask, where did you go to school... state wise

[so alive LPN]

honey, go for the GOLD! I was an LPN at 21, and it didn't really bother people. As long as they see and can tell you are qualified, you'll have no problems! And KUDOS to you for becoming a nurse at such a young age!

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

I graduated right be for turning 21 with my BSN...talk about being young!

It took a while and by just doing my job, acting professional..you will get the respect.

Fast forward 14 yrs (I'm now 34) and since I work PRN, I'm seen by some of the families at the LTC as the new nurse. Some will even comment and ask if I just graduated or something. LOL. I normally start a conversation and will ask how young they think I am...most often the average age is 24!!! After letting them know my background and history at the facility and in nursing, the do see a bit more at ease.

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

I'm 23, but look young-ish for my age. I do geriatric rehab....sometimes when my patients are confused, they ask me if my mother knows I'm out this late, lol. I just take it as a compliment---if I look this young now, I'll age well!! Try not to let it bug you...just show everyone what a competent professional you really are.