"YOU'RE my Nurse?!?!?"

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone! I would like some insight on an issue I am having...I am 22 years old and will be graduating in December with my ADN. I have found that within the healthcare setting I am frequently seen as very young-looking (maybe because most of the patients I deal with are elderly). However, I am beginning to think that perhaps I won't be taken seriously? I am afraid that my patients will not trust me. A few patients have asked me if I was "of age" to be "doing this." A few have confused me for being a HIGH SCHOOL student. I see this as being a potential problem in the future when I am their primary nurse. What does everyone think about this?

Specializes in HIV care, med/surge agency.

Look for the most tailored formal white uniforms you can find. If you have to wear scrubs wear dark blue or a dark color. get organised before you go into the room and introduce yourself in a very busines like way. It works.

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Specializes in PACU.

almost everyday i get asked my age. not just frim co-workers, or patients though. this one time i was at rite-aid picking up a script. as i was standing in line the lady next to me kept staring at me, as soon as i opened my mouth to speak to the pharmicist she said" oh i though you were abou twelve until you started talking" i was offended a little only because she was really staring me down. but anyway i just turned 22 and most days i am mistsken for a 16 y.o. or 18 y.o. i am always a volunteer. when i am at clinicals or working and i tell my patients how old i am and my title they are "impressed to see a young person so responsible, smart, and proffessional" (exact words). i havent had a patient refuse to let me care for them but some will ask "how long you been doing this? or how many times have you done this"

i always laugh it off and reassure my patients

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Specializes in PACU.
I am 22 and I have had similar experiences. Some say "Oh you look so young." I have also experienced a different problem when I worked as a PCA (nurse assistant) during nursing school. Because I am petite, many patients doubted my ability. For example, when lifting something heavy, "Are you sure you can lift that? You're so small." Yes, it sucks to have people doubt you, but I like challenges, and I like to prove people wrong. In the end, they see that I am just as capable.

P.S. My friend who just started a job as a Peds Speech Pathologist (has her Masters) is going through the same thing. Being that she is 24, the other day a patient's mother questioned her ability and even asked to speak to the manager!

i am with you on this one. i am a pretty small girl and constantly get the same thing. boy are they impressed how ever when i lift the cpm machine with no problem or me and a co worker can pull them way up in bed:lol2:

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Specializes in ICF/MR, ER.

I noticed that most (if not all) of the responses were from ladies, but here's a response from a 5'11, 240 pound male LPN.

My first day on my present job was an experience. Within two hours of clocking in one of my folks has a grand mal seizure (his first in a year and a half) while in a common area. After easing them to the floor and staying with them until it passed, I told the ladies I worked with that I appreciated their help. That seemed to make a good impression...

On the morning medpass my RN in charge was with me when my folks woke up and got their meds. One reaction was, "Who are you? Are you a nurse?" I said, "You mean this isn't the oil change place?" All three of us erupted in laughter!! Then, of course, I told them who I was and that indeed, I was their nurse.

Needless to say, I've established myself fairly firmly. Who knows, I could be fixing a VCR one minute then giving a hep B shot the next.

lpnadmin

"nursing care and electronic repair while-u-wait":)

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I am 36 and I still get that. "Are you a candy striper?" yep candy stripers give shots@@. Just feel that you are blessed for your young look-I feel blessed!

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I haven't read all this but I will add that til I was 38 I was still getting carded. My daughter and I went to the UK and people asked were we sisters. At 39 I let my hair go to its natural grey and there went my age up up up. Enjoy it. Do all the rest of the maturity stuff at work but soon enough you won't have to worry. Then your patients might ask when will you be retiring......j/k

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Hi I am 26 and get this all the time also,or I hear you look like so and so next our so and so grandaugter. I always ask them how old they think I am when they ask me how old I am and they always say 18. I always well good thing when I am 40 I will still be looking young.Don't let it get to you, you have the education and are more than competent to take care of them.

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Specializes in NICU.

Weirdly enough, I haven't had this problem yet. I'm wondering if I will...

I'm going into my second semester of nursing school in the fall, and I'm 17 (homeschooled and graduated early). My instructors looked at me a little more harshly than some of the older students and I did feel like I had to prove something to THEM because they knew early on how young I am.... but as far as patients went... they all asked how old I was, but usually it was once I'd been there about half of the day... and they were always surprised, probably because I'm tall and not so skinny :-p No one seemed to have a problem with it, maybe because they found out that I'm young AFTER I had already been working with them...

But, since the instructors tend to...expect me to be ditzy, I do feel like I have to work extra hard and be extra professional to prove that I can be a competent nurse. Unfortunately, that may be what the OP has to do, too. People shouldn't be judged by their age, or appearance of age, but unfortunately, they are sometimes....

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