The question "How long have you been a nurse?"

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Hello all,

I am a newly graduated RN and have been working at my job in the hospital for about 4 months now. I often get asked by patients and family members how long I've been a nurse. I also get many comments on how young I am - I am in my early 20's and am told I look even younger than that. If only I had a dollar for every time I got the comment "You don't look old enough to be an RN!"

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone else has had the problem of not knowing what to say when you are asked this question, since my 4 months of experience is not a whole lot and I don't want anyone to lose confidence in me or question my competence as a nurse. If anyone has any suggestions as to how to answer this without causing any patient anxiety, that'd be great!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I got a kick out of telling people I was a new grad, cause I was in my late 40s. Everyone thought that since I was "old" I had been a nurse for a long time.

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Specializes in oncology, MS/tele/stepdown.

I would love to know how people handle this! I was a nurse extern on my floor so I tend to admit I have only been a nurse for four months but mention I worked on my floor for a full year before that in a training capacity. Which is not entirely untrue... I just don't know how else to approach it! Fortunately no one has ever said anything about how new I am.

I do think that projecting confidence is key. I would get nervous if people were constantly asking me how long I have been a nurse, but patients/family tend to only ask me before they ask what they perceive to be a difficult question. At that point, unfortunately, I do a lot of, "I don't know off-hand, but I can look it up for you".

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Specializes in Nursing Management.

Just say "I started my nursing career in ...." And say when you started your program :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

In nursing school, you learned about communication.... and the importance of separating the "issue" from the "statement".

When a patient asks you "How long have you been a nurse?", it may be due to the fact that they are concerned about your level of competency. If so, just address that issue. An appropriate response could be "Are you concerned that I don't know as much as an older nurse? If so, I want to reassure you. I am fully qualified to ______ and have certifications in _____ and _____ " Don't let anyone get away with assuming you are less competent because you don't have wrinkles or gray hair!

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In response to "How long have you beena nurse?", I started telling people either "long enough" or (depending on how well I knew the patient) "longer than you." Both of those answers seemed to work.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

The few times I get asked that question by my patients I tell them "a year" (which is the truth). But as far as practicing as one, its a little less than a year but that part I keep to myself. The follow up question I usually get is "how am I enjoying it so far?" I stick to saying "tough but rewarding." I get the biggest smiles from them and then they give me encouragement that I'm doing an excellent job, with some saying I have a special gift. :o)

I became an RN at age 30 (I'm now 31), however I don't look like I'm in my 30's. When I get asked the age question from both patients and coworkers I immediately tell them to guess. When they've given up on guessing, their jaws drop when I tell them "I'm passed 30." I tell them I've found the fountain of youth!

Sent via Glad2baRN's iPhone using allnurses.com

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It's an indirect way of asking your age. 

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