is your job aging you?

dcwang · Mar 4, 2015

I'm 25 and going to nursing school. Staying out of sun, using sunscreen in all weather, avoid Foundation (BB cream is ok). Tanning at the Beach is a no no. Personally I apply 5/6 creams daily.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2015

Oh to be 25 again......

There comes a time in everyones life when you stop getting carded. It can't be stopped. YOu will develop an air of maturity and that is a good thing. Nursing will emotionally change you....you aren't the giggling little girl any longer. You have an air of elegance and control....a new confidence.

Drink lots of water get a good powder foundation and a little shimmer. Life marches right across your face.

Smile and laugh...enjoy the little things instead of lingering on the negative. Yes nursing is stressful and yes you are tired after work. A good bubble bath and some good exfoliation works wonders.

Get a good moisturizer and for those days you have those bags a little hemorrhoid cream under your eyes does the trick.

Just think you are like fine wine...you are only getting better.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2015

I personally think that a poor schedule ages people. 12 hour shifts are not the healthiest but it isn't going to change. I think forced 3 or 4 days in a row should be avoided as that can cause premature stress. I am switching to a place that is self scheduling to avoid the forced 3 or 4 days in a rotating schedule. Too much overtime is also bad in my opinion. I am a workaholic but I am trying to cut back after seeing my lab work compared to where I was pre-nursing school (4 years ago).

Also, unreasonable schedules aren't healthy in my book either. My job expected me to work 4 hours 7p to 11p, 8 am to 4:30, and 11 pm to 7 am. That is ridiculous and unhealthy!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2015

I've been in nursing for about 3 years. I still get pegged 10-15 years my junior and feel 20 years younger than I did in my prior career. I work three 12s weekly at night.

Your theory is false.

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

Farawyn · Mar 10, 2015

Oh to be 25 again......
There comes a time in everyones life when you stop getting carded. It can't be stopped. YOu will develop an air of maturity and that is a good thing. Nursing will emotionally change you....you aren't the giggling little girl any longer. You have an air of elegance and control....a new confidence.
Drink lots of water get a good powder foundation and a little shimmer. Life marches right across your face.
Smile and laugh...enjoy the little things instead of lingering on the negative. Yes nursing is stressful and yes you are tired after work. A good bubble bath and some good exfoliation works wonders.
Get a good moisturizer and for those days you have those bags a little hemorrhoid cream under your eyes does the trick.
Just think you are like fine wine...you are only getting better.

LOVE this.

I'm stealing it.

Farawyn · Mar 10, 2015

I've been in nursing for about 3 years. I still get pegged 10-15 years my junior and feel 20 years younger than I did in my prior career. I work three 12s weekly at night.
Your theory is false.
Sent from my iPad using allnurses

HER theory is not false. It maybe doesn't apply to you. You are lucky. Now, stop bragging about it! :)

empatheticRN · Mar 11, 2015

I've been a nurse for one and half year and gotten my first four strands of gray hair.

Farawyn · Mar 11, 2015

White eyebrows are a new thing with me. And they feel strange when I pluck them. Different consistency than young brown eyebrows.

browneyes3000 · Mar 11, 2015

When I first started my job, patients and family members always asked "Are you a nursing student?" or "You look like a high school student." After working for 10 months in the hospital:

Pt "How old are you?"

Me: "Guess :)"

Pt: "you are in your 30's?"

Me: "I am 25 years old:cry:"

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 12, 2015

my housemate is also a nurse and we both have noticed we have started looking prematurely aged since we started working in healthcare. i'm only 25 and have always been guessed to be younger, carded for entry to clubs, etc. i feel like i've aged 15 years since i started working as a nurse. i've not been working as a nurse for that long, but i know constant stress ages people. my skin looks dull and i hate looking worn out and older than i am.
has anyone else experienced this, and is there any way to avoid being aged by the stress? i eat a clean diet and work out regularly even though i always feel exhausted from work.

I've been a nurse for nearly 40 years, and I still get pegged for a 40 year old. I don't think it's nursing. I think it's a combination of genetics and skin care.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2015

I know I look every bit my age, if not a little older. However, I attribute it to heredity rather than nursing.

My father is in his late 50s but could pass for 70. Likewise, I am in my mid-30s but, due to my splotchy facial skin and abundant gray hairs, can easily pass for early 40s. Although I've worn facial sunscreen since my early 20s, not much can be done about the genes I inherited.