opinions of young people as nurses

bluesky, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2005

Hi there!

All I can say is how sorry I am that you have to deal with this treatment. It definitely sounds like you are being discriminated against by your customers As a 33 yr old, I haven't had to deal with this problem in a while, unfortunately. What I can say is this.... at the pharmacy, I believe this treatment will change as your customers return and observe that your advice and knowledge is just as informed as any other pharmacy employee. With nursing, it's hard to say. The truth is that within perhaps 2 or 3 years all this will go away, but that's a long time to be underestimated constantly for no good reason but someone's prejudice. You can either fight the fight and stay exactly as you are and win people over with your intellect, OR; you could try using makeup and clothes to appear older (heavy makeup always adds a few years). I personally would favor arguing with people and not compromising yourself, but that is the more difficult route.

Oh yeah. I went to nursing school with an 18 yr old. She really capitalized on her age and loved it when everyone called her "little ____". (I'm not including the full nickname because she may be on this board...) She gravitated toward older, maternal students for direction and as a result it

was hard not to perceive her as a little immature in her relations with other nurses. She also had a very clique mentality that reminds one of high school. The truth is, however, that many far older nurses exhibited these behaviors too. For myself I never related any of these issues to her nursing skills however. She was just as lost and overwhelmed as the rest of us who ranged from 20 to 50. :) I haven't seen her since she graduated but as I recall she was just as serious about her studies as the rest of us.

goober · Aug 2, 2005

Thanks for your input.

Your advice is good, although I will definately be taking the fight rather than making myself appear older!! I prefer that people take me as I am.

I understand that there are a few nursing students who appear to be a little lost, and I only hope that I do not come across this way!!

i am very serious about my studies, and like to beleive that this is reflected in my practice.

I too look to some of the older students in my classes as they are generally more stable friends than some of the others my age ( although I am very good friends with many others my age!!), adn they also give very wise advice.

Hopefully your right in that people begin to take me seriously the more they get to know me.

Thanks

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 2, 2005

In my place of work I am even referred to as 'little one'.

People need to quit doing this. That is no more acceptable than an older person being called "old bat". You have a name, and should be addressed by it.

BETSRN · Aug 2, 2005

Hi,
I'm a student nurse, and hold 2 jobs: 1 in a health care assisting role and 1 in a pharmacy.
i have discovered through clinical placements and associated experiences that age appears to be basis for patients and clients to discriminate against nurses.
I am only 19 years old, and have several examples of patients either outright refusing to be treated or nursed by myself due to my age, or refusing to take advice from myself, but responding well to the exact same advice being given in exactly the same way from a person who is older than myself.
One example of this is when in the pharmacy environment a customer asked me for a product for a rash that they had developed. After looking at the rash I sugested a cream and an anti-histamine. This person looked very skeptical and told me that they wanted to see someone else. I referred this person to another staff member who is no more qualified or experienced than I, but who was older. The other staff member suggested the same course of treatment and this customer gladly accepted the advice. The customer stated she was sorry that she hadnt listened to me but she thought that I was too young to know what I was talking about. If this was an isolated incident I may not be concerned, however I find that this is an issue that comes up alot in my practice. My age is often commented on by peers, supervisors and mentors... and although the comments are not always negative, I still do not understand why this is such an issue.
In my place of work I am even referred to as 'little one'.
I would appreciate anyones ideas or thoughts on the age of nurses and if age affects the way that you veiw other nurses. I would also appreciate any advice on how to approach this issue!!
If you think I'm being overly sensitive feel free to say so!
Cheers,
'little one'

First of all, regardless of age, NEITHER of you should be looking at a rash and making a decision on treatment. That is "practicing medicine without a license."

Yes, I do think age makes a difference simply because different age groups may act appropriately or inappropriately as the case may be. Some young people are far more mature than others and therefor appear more professional (I did not include more clinically competant in that).

We have three very young nurses (only one of whom has any kids). I work in L&D.. Two of them are very mature and professional and they approach the patients in that way as well. The other one is very immature, high needs and giggly. She is a good clinician but she is flippant in her manner and that puts some people off. I think patients want to feel that their nurse knows what's up and while thisnurse is a good skilled clinician, her personality is one that people would question.

So yes, I think we all tend to react to people because of their age, but it's not their age but their manner.

Protect yourself, by the way and do NOT be suggesting treatments to people. You are NOT a licensed pharmacist. The pharmacist should not be doing that either. Educating about a specific medication is a lot different than looking at a rash and making suggestions about the potential treatment. That could get you into a lot of hot water.

kittiesareus · Aug 9, 2005

Hi,
I'm a student nurse, and hold 2 jobs: 1 in a health care assisting role and 1 in a pharmacy.
i have discovered through clinical placements and associated experiences that age appears to be basis for patients and clients to discriminate against nurses.
I am only 19 years old, and have several examples of patients either outright refusing to be treated or nursed by myself due to my age, or refusing to take advice from myself, but responding well to the exact same advice being given in exactly the same way from a person who is older than myself.
One example of this is when in the pharmacy environment a customer asked me for a product for a rash that they had developed. After looking at the rash I sugested a cream and an anti-histamine. This person looked very skeptical and told me that they wanted to see someone else. I referred this person to another staff member who is no more qualified or experienced than I, but who was older. The other staff member suggested the same course of treatment and this customer gladly accepted the advice. The customer stated she was sorry that she hadnt listened to me but she thought that I was too young to know what I was talking about. If this was an isolated incident I may not be concerned, however I find that this is an issue that comes up alot in my practice. My age is often commented on by peers, supervisors and mentors... and although the comments are not always negative, I still do not understand why this is such an issue.
In my place of work I am even referred to as 'little one'.
I would appreciate anyones ideas or thoughts on the age of nurses and if age affects the way that you veiw other nurses. I would also appreciate any advice on how to approach this issue!!
If you think I'm being overly sensitive feel free to say so!
Cheers,
'little one'

I too have been treated less than ideal because of my age. I am a New RN on a psych unit, I am 24, and I am getting treated like a child, they seem to feel as though they should mother me or something. I believe that I present myself in a mature way. I am also the only new grad they have ever hired and the next age from mine is at least 25 years my senior. They all have good senses of humor and are fairly easy to get along with but it still bothers me that I will never get the respect that I deserve. One nurse even said "there are no kids on this unit except for 'me' ".

annievnurse2b · Aug 9, 2005

I am 27 and look 18 maybe 19. I get carded at the movies! Anyway, I deal with the age thing all the time. I think that it is okay as long as you are professional to put people in their place. Always maintain professionalism, but never EVER let someone put you down for the time in which the world was ready for your soul. Be proud that you are whatever age you are. Sometimes people feel the need to comment on age because of their own insecurities. Hold your head high. Be proud. Most importantly be that best nurse you can be...I am pretty sure none of us think I am only blank years old when administering a medication or changing a dressing! We are utilizing all of our knowledge to make our patients comfortable and heal!

I too have been treated less than ideal because of my age. I am a New RN on a psych unit, I am 24, and I am getting treated like a child, they seem to feel as though they should mother me or something. I believe that I present myself in a mature way. I am also the only new grad they have ever hired and the next age from mine is at least 25 years my senior. They all have good senses of humor and are fairly easy to get along with but it still bothers me that I will never get the respect that I deserve. One nurse even said "there are no kids on this unit except for 'me' ".

funinsun · Aug 9, 2005

I agree with everything that has been said so far, great advice! I started nursing school at 17 years old, so my 101 class and my first intermediate rotations were interesting because I myself felt that I was so young. The rest of my clinicals were while I was 18, I turned 19 a week after my last clinical week. I was asked many times by patients about my age and depending on the situation would answer accordingly and didn't purposely state my age unless asked. I am sorry that people treat you badly when they know your age- I myself always felt a little awkward- I found that most of the time the patients were supportive (peds was the most challenging because of parents)-understandably so) when they heard my age because I had not acted silly, irresponsibly, etc. Although it may not be the best thing-I did wear more makeup than usual (other young people in my class seemed to think that since they were younger didn't have to look professional at all-which usually meant literally having the crunchies in their eyes and their hair looking like they just woke up) so I felt better with myself doing that. If pressed by patients or teachers etc. I would explain that though I am young, I am living on my own with no support by parents, work and have passed all of my classes.. You could do the same by saying that you hold two jobs, maybe live on your own etc. to highlight that you are taking care of yourself and are happy to take care of them.. Saying how much you like nursing or what you like about nursing always helps!

I was really nervous about getting a job since I have only just turned 19, but haven't found it to be a problem yet, we'll see..

Hope things get better for you..

goodknight · Aug 9, 2005

I am 19 also (and look to be less than that) and have experienced this a few times in clinicals. Most of my patients haven't cared if I was 12 or if I was Santa, but while assisting other students I have been asked "Are you a nurse?" "No, I'm a student." "Good, I wouldn't want you to be my nurse, you're too young." They probably don't realize that I'll not be much older when I AM the nurse. I just let it go. No one has refused care by me because of my age, yet. I'm sure at some point some one will, but not because I act immature. I try to behave as professionaly as possible because that seems to make people think I'm a bit older than 16. :).

But anyway, I feel your pain. It's just something we have to deal with, even though it shouldn't be an issue.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Aug 9, 2005

Hi. I graduated LPN school and began my first nsg home job when I was just 19. I had lots of gossip behind my back about being a teenager and had several nurses good naturedly calling me the "baby" nurse. I held my head high and was determined to prove to them (and to myself) that I was every bit as qualified and competent as them. I just laughed along with them about my age, all the while doing a good job. I was only 22 when a unit manager position opened up and it was my peers that told the DON that the "baby nurse" outta take over the unit because they felt I was best qualified (skills and personality to suit the unit) to handle the job. I held that position for 5 years and then went on to managment. Currently I work in the same facility, although I have held lots of different positions. Now I am 38 and sometimes referred to as the "older" nurse of the crew. It cracks me up. I was good then and I am still good now - my age is not the determining factor here. Hold your head high, give good care and the rest does not matter... I just wish someone would call me the "baby" nurse again - ha ha.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Aug 9, 2005

I remember when I was young I felt as if I wouldn't carry any clout until I was 30. :uhoh21:

fusster · Aug 9, 2005

I'm a 20 yo nursing student and most of the comments I get about my age relate to how great it is that someone so young is going to be a nurse and how I'll be a great nurse. I did have one patient, however, who told me flat out lies while I was doing my assessment, and then the nurse came in and he told her the complete opposite of what he told me, while I was still in the room. Apparently he thought that since I was "just a nursing student", it didn't really matter if he lied to me b/c I'm not an RN. Nevermind the fact that I was the one charting everything, not the nurse. I don't really see how lying to me could have helped him in any way, but I guess it's his own health and if he likes having mismanaged care, that's his own choice. But so far he's been the exception. I haven't had any big problems (yet. Can't wait till I'm a 21 yo nurse, though :rolleyes: )