"How old are you?"

P_RN, ADN, RN · Aug 5, 2004

As someone who was carded til I was 35 I say enjoy it while it lasts. As far as age....laughing, giggling and no answer worked well for me. To the smart aleck a "why do you want to know that?" Or an "I'm 47 (when youre 23), how old are you? "

MelissaRN · Aug 5, 2004

I hear you. I'm 34 but am younger looking. My patients always ask how old I am and call me "that little blonde girl". To a 75 or 80 year old everyone looks young. lol :chuckle

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Aug 5, 2004

I've always had a baby face and I had my RN at 21 (I know some to have had it earlier though). I had patients who swore they thought I was a candy-striper (we didn't even have those at that hospital). I thought some were really concerned about letting me provide care so I tried to be friendly about it and take it with good humor but I would tell them my age because I thought they had legitimate concerns. That however hasn't happened in a few years. For one, now working with the neonates most of the parents I deal with are younger than me. But hey, I was seriously carded the other day at a restaurant (where they didn't just card everyone). Guess my highlights are hiding the gray hairs pretty well!

MelissaRN · Aug 5, 2004

Their next question after they ask my age, if I'm an RN and do I like the job is if I'm married and have children. They usually have a whole new respect for me after I tell them I have 4 kids. :roll

sherichance · Aug 5, 2004

I have a good one. I was in the store the other day in my scrubs and I had my 2 year old son with me. A lady turns around and says how cute, is that your little brother. I said politely no, he is my son. She looks at me in shock and said you cannot be more than 15 years old. I am actually 25 years old, 5 foot tall and 110 pounds. She was being dead serious too when she thought I was 15. Last week the sears man came to fix my washer, I was babysitting my friends infant son and he thought I was the teenage babysitter. Once again, he said I could not be anything over 15.

I will admit its nice to have people think you are younger than what you are. But not 15. I am 25 years old. I dont think I look much like a teenager. I just hope the youthfulness sticks with me.

dmp135 · Aug 5, 2004

Now and then I am asked by a pt how old am I, is this my natural hair color, or other things you couldn't pay me to ask another person . Usually its a nice old lady who is trying to be complentary, which is fine, I usually say, "oh how sweet, but I don't usually give that info out" and then change the subject. But sometimes its someone close to my age who is trying to be rude. I admit that I look a lot younger than my 23yrs, but I act professionally. Is there something better to say than "I don't discuss that" said with a smile? I am interested in hearing with everyone else says to these pts. Thanks!

It never bothered me in the 20 years of active practice I've enjoyed. I just answer. Patients are trying to connect, they are stressed and they like us and they want to know more about us. It has always been done with repect in my experience. That has always been a facet of being a nurse I enjoy...I'm approachable. I've worked with nurses who refuse to let patients cal them by their first name as well. I say whatever floats your boat ;=)

Dorothy

Chibi Baka · Aug 6, 2004

When I was 15 or 16, I was at Sams club, and I went to get a sample from one of the many uh sample tables at Sams.

Well, as I was about to pick up a sample of some ham, the sample woman said.

" Oh did your mommy say you could have that. WE cant give sample without parent permission to anyone under 12."

Yeah lady.... :uhoh3:

guess I'm just an "over developed" 12 year old. :rolleyes:

I mean, I am really short but geez!!

I dont know, ppl either mistake me for really young cause Im short, or mistake me for being in my 20s because I always look so serious and I wear alot of sweat shirts or somthing(and i act like im 40 but nevermind that).

I also have had this huge silver streak on the right side of my head since I was 7. yes grey hair at that age. o.o, but i cover it up with dye usually.

Chrislynn2003 · Aug 6, 2004

I get people telling me all the time that I only look 16, 17 and I am 24. I do look young, but it's not as bad as a friend of mine who was asked if she wanted the "kiddy" menu when she was 18.

UCLARN · Aug 6, 2004

When I started working as an RN, I was 23 years old. Patients and their families would and still ask me if I am the student nurse and I politely say no I am your RN. One incident that I thought was funny was when a particular nurse kept asking me to get her things. She was in a 1:3 room so I didn't mind because she was not able to leave the room. She saw me writing my end of shift summation and it finally dawned on her that I worked there as an RN. She actually told me that the reason why she kept asking me to get her supplies was because she thought I was a volunteer! I am 28 now and I think I still look young. My patients would agree. I'm short (4'11") and asian. Asians tend to look younger... thank god for me! I'll be sad when they stop telling me I look young!

Now and then I am asked by a pt how old am I, is this my natural hair color, or other things you couldn't pay me to ask another person . Usually its a nice old lady who is trying to be complentary, which is fine, I usually say, "oh how sweet, but I don't usually give that info out" and then change the subject. But sometimes its someone close to my age who is trying to be rude. I admit that I look a lot younger than my 23yrs, but I act professionally. Is there something better to say than "I don't discuss that" said with a smile? I am interested in hearing with everyone else says to these pts. Thanks!

Mithrah · Aug 6, 2004

I don't mind telling people my age. I have had other nurses ask how old I am, and first I will ask them how old they think I am. They guess 20 or 21. I tell them I am 25 and they are shocked. They think I really look 18, but figured there was no way I could be an RN at 18 so they guessed higher.

Luckily my patients can't ask me how old I am (they can't talk yet). Even if they could, I would tell them. It is just a number. People are curious. What would be worse is if they asked your weight!

abundantjoy07, RN · Aug 6, 2004

now and then i am asked by a pt how old am i, is this my natural hair color, or other things you couldn't pay me to ask another person . usually its a nice old lady who is trying to be complentary, which is fine, i usually say, "oh how sweet, but i don't usually give that info out" and then change the subject. but sometimes its someone close to my age who is trying to be rude. i admit that i look a lot younger than my 23yrs, but i act professionally. is there something better to say than "i don't discuss that" said with a smile? i am interested in hearing with everyone else says to these pts. thanks!

you can answer truthfully by responding that you are "between 1 and 100." i'm sure that when your patients hear this they will understand that it isn't an issue you want to discuss.

as far as male patients go they should know better than to ask a woman her age? besides what difference does it make how old you are...

but reading into the question...it sounds like your patients are intimidated by your young age. all they need to know is that you are old enough to know how to give proper care and that is all that matters.:stone